Thomas Tuchel, 50, was extremely challenged on Friday. The coach explained the problems of his FC Bayern, held discussions with the club doctors and players – and finally led the final training session of the German football record champions before the top Bundesliga game at Borussia Dortmund on Saturday (6.30 p.m., Sky).
The game is always a prestige duel. But in this phase it is even more important for FC Bayern than usual. And for Tuchel. The explosive encounter comes at a special time, at the end of what the Munich people saw as a bad and embarrassing week. The coach has enormous personnel concerns; he is in danger of being exposed to virtually the entire central defense. And he is being criticized – for the second time under Tuchel, Bayern have lost the chance of the treble they longed for.
Last Wednesday evening the club experienced one of the biggest embarrassments in its history, being eliminated from the DFB Cup after a 2-1 defeat at 1. FC Saarbrücken, 15th in the table. the third league. The club has not made it to the semi-finals since 2020, it was their third exit in the second round of the competition in four years. In the event of a defeat at BVB, discussions about Tuchel and Bayern’s deep problems would increase.
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Munich are vulnerable defensively. They lack stability and conviction. They don’t seem like a close-knit unit; Sky expert Dietmar “Didi” Hamann, 50, also criticized the lack of playful development under Tuchel, who took over the position from Julian Nagelsmann – now national coach – last March. There are also reports of disagreements between the team and the coach.
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At his press conference at the club headquarters on Säbener Strasse on Friday afternoon, Tuchel made a self-critical and focused impression. “It’s a big game in Germany. And it’s a big game for us after the cup to show a reaction,” he said. “A defeat in the DFB Cup speaks against the basic law of FC Bayern.” In Dortmund, his team will have to play at the limit again: “We have enough quality, form and spirit.”
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It is natural that criticism is currently being raised. “You sign for Bayern to win,” said Tuchel. “We know what and how much we do, we know where we stand and that we want to get better. I take defeats very personally. We are here to win games. We have to stand together and keep going.”
In addition to Hamann, record national player Lothar Matthäus, 62, also criticized the coach. In response to a reporter’s question about this, Tuchel said with a wink: “I don’t see any further development with either of them.” And added: “It’s all legitimate, I’m very self-critical and I’m also starting to question myself and my staff. It is now difficult to refute critical voices.”
“I have a part in it if we lose”
Regarding the relationship between him and his players, he said: “I am part of a team and a big club. I have a part when we win and a part when we lose. Everything is good internally, otherwise we wouldn’t be able to continue the season the way we are currently doing.” The defeat against Saarbrücken won’t change that. “It’s about us staying together, keeping calm together and reflecting on our strengths.”
The fight for the top of the table is currently more exciting than it has been for a long time, alongside Dortmund and league leaders Bayer Leverkusen, VfB Stuttgart is surprisingly high up. To ensure that the autumn doesn’t become even more restless at the club, Bayern urgently need a convincing performance in Dortmund. “Saturday is an extremely important game,” emphasized world champion Thomas Müller. The team could make a little amends for the cup exit against BVB. “We are going to Dortmund to win. Even though we know that the grapes tend to hang higher there than in other Bundesliga stadiums. That’s where it goes.”
Thomas Tuchel responded to Lothar Matthäus’ criticism of FC Bayern
What: REUTERS
It is the first meeting between the two teams since Bayern won the championship on the last matchday of the previous season – Dortmund lost the title with a 2-2 draw against 1. FSV Mainz 05. “It is the biggest game in Germany that everyone is watching. We’re really up for it,” said Borussia defender Nico Schlotterbeck, 23. And BVB sports director Sebastian Kehl, 43, struck a bold tone: “Of course we want to use every opportunity to beat Bayern Munich in a direct duel – at home it’s been a bit longer now. It’s time again.”
Dortmund have not won a home league game against their rivals for five years. “We have a squad that has gained enormously in resilience and stability. This team has achieved a lot in the last few weeks. That will benefit us at the weekend,” said Kehl. Borussia has been undefeated in 17 league games.
Boateng’s return is not planned
Bayern will miss Matthijs de Ligt, 24, against the self-confident Dortmund team. The central defender suffered a partial tear in the medial ligament in his right knee joint in Saarbrücken and is expected to be out until the end of the year. It was unclear on Friday afternoon whether central defender Dayot Upamecano, 25, and midfielder Leon Goretzka, 28, could play. Upamecano has missed training after a muscle injury, Goretzka has broken his hand. The use of right-back Noussair Mazraoui, 25, is also questionable.
“If you want to answer it seriously, it would have to be about whether they can be in the squad or not,” said Tuchel. “We have to see whether it is responsible whether Upa or Leon are eligible to start. It’s not the natural step.” Joshua Kimmich, 28, is missing from midfield and suspended after his red card in the 8-0 win against SV Darmstadt.
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A return of the out-of-contract central defender Jérôme Boateng, 35, who is keeping fit and training with Bayern, is currently not an issue, said Tuchel. “The considerations now always revolve around the next game in order to find solutions,” he emphasized. “We want to be competitive at the level we imagine. We want to win, win, win and stay hungry for success.”
Before the game at BVB, Bayern’s hopes rest primarily on their strong offensive. For Harry Kane, 30, it is the first game against Dortmund as a Munich superstar. Against Saarbrücken, Tuchel left the captain of the English national team outside. With 17 points, Kane is the league’s top scorer. “I’m excited and looking forward to the atmosphere,” said Kane. “These are the games you want to be a part of as a footballer.”
There is a lot at stake for FC Bayern on this special Saturday evening in Dortmund.
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