Medhi Benatia Denies Passport Reports, Out for Benfica vs. Bayern Munich

Given their European pedigree, you’d imagine Bayern Munich players would be well versed in what’s required when it comes to jet-setting across the continent. But not Medhi Benatia, according to reports, who was said to have left his passport at home with the team set to travel to Lisbon for their UEFA Champions League clash with Benfica. 

Sport Witness’ Jan Hagen relayed information from a report by Bild suggesting the centre-back didn’t bring the vital documentation with him:

The suggestions were quickly denied by the player on Facebook, though. "There have been some rumours explaining my absence from the game against Benfica because I 'forgot my passport,'" he wrote, per Jonny Singer of the MailOnline. "I want to deny this information."

Benatia said his absence is in keeping with his recovery from injury, and he only began training on Monday.

The club’s Twitter feed confirmed he isn’t in the squad:

Regardless of why he's absent, it’s a substantial blow for Bayern, especially with defenders Jerome Boateng and Holger Badstuber already missing because of injury.

Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Bayern take a 1-0 lead to the Estadio da Luz in this quarter-final tie, thanks to Arturo Vidal’s strike in the first leg, a scoreline the vibrant young Benfica side will hope to overturn.

Manager Pep Guardiola is looking to win the Champions League for Bayern in his final season at the helm and will no doubt have a tactical master plan for the occasion. Sadly for him, Benatia will not be part of it.