The boss summarized the extremely tense situation in one sentence. And expressed himself very mildly. “We are not unlucky,” said Thomas Tuchel late on Wednesday evening. Given his club’s situation, that may have sounded like an understatement to some.
The next injury shock for Tuchel’s FC Bayern came in the arduous 1-0 (0-0) against 1. FC Union Berlin. The 50-year-old coach of the German football record champions will most likely have to be without two important players for weeks.
Central defender Dayot Upamecano is out with a hamstring injury. “This is extremely bitter for Upa and for us. He has been in absolutely top form for many weeks,” said Tuchel. “It’s a matter of weeks, not days.” The Munich team has been hit repeatedly by injuries for months.
Dayot Upamecano was injured against Union and will probably be out for weeks at Bayern
What: REUTERS
Konrad Laimer and Joshua Kimmich were injured in the game against Berlin, and Laimer could also be out for a longer period. There were still no official diagnoses as of Thursday afternoon. Laimer was hit on the calf and Kimmich fell on his shoulder. “It closed with one step and then all of a sudden it went crazy,” said Laimer. It is said to be a torn muscle fiber and Laimer will probably be out for up to six weeks.
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The pressure from Munich regarding possible transfers has increased again. Bayern wanted to sign at least one more defender anyway, but now they need him even more urgently. They have until Thursday (February 1st) at 6 p.m., then the winter transfer period ends. Sports director Christoph Freund, who has only been in office since the summer, is in huge focus.
Thomas Tuchel praises Eric Dier
“We will definitely not panic, injuries are also part of the season,” said Tuchel on Thursday night. “We will not abandon our strategy because of a muscle injury.”
There are always problems in the defensive positions of all places. “It’s a bit like magic,” said the 50-year-old. The transfer of Eric Dier has already paid off for central defense. Bayern recently signed the 30-year-old from Tottenham Hotpspur on loan until the end of the season, and Tuchel substituted him for the injured Upamecano in the second half against Union.
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“It was a bit of a jump into the deep end for him because Eric hasn’t played that much football for six months,” said Tuchel. But he immediately felt his presence, his self-confidence and his experience. However, Dier noticed the lack of match practice this season, “there was a bit of a lack of rhythm and timing in some duel situations”.
In the case of Laimer’s failure, the Munich team would have a bottleneck at right back because Noussair Mazraoui, who was recently injured, is at the Africa Cup. Central defender Minjae Kim is in action with South Korea at the Asian Cup, Bouna Sarr is missing due to a torn cruciate ligament. “It’s our turn. It’s clear what we want to do – and what we don’t do,” said coach Tuchel about possible transfers.
Kieran Trippier is not an issue for FC Bayern
In any case, English national defender Kieran Trippier from Newcastle United is not moving to FC Bayern. The issue “is settled,” said sports director Freund on Wednesday evening. He did not want to comment on possible interest in Nordi Mukiele from Paris Saint-Germain. PSG could use Bayern’s personnel situation to demand more money for the defender (formerly at RB Leipzig). Here too, Bayern’s injuries could have a negative impact.
But it’s not just the staff shortage that worries the master. It’s also his style of play. The scandal surrounding Union coach Nenad Bjelica, who hit Bayern’s offensive star Leroy Sané with his hand in the face on the sideline during the game and was shown a red card, glosses over one of the evening’s findings: Bayern are currently having big problems, their game lacks security and safety Conviction. In the final actions the precision. The team around superstar Harry Kane continues to look for lightness.
Union coach Nenad Bjelica (l.) is threatened with a ban after the scuffle with Leroy Sané from FC Bayern
Source: Getty Images/Alexander Hassenstein
The game against Union was the second home game in a row after the 0-1 loss against Werder Bremen last Sunday in which there were whistles from their own fans at half-time. Club president Herbert Hainer was also dissatisfied at this point.
A lot of things were better against Bremen, with the win Bayern reduced the gap to league leaders Bayer Leverkusen to four points, but given the club’s demands and self-image, the current phase raises many questions.
One reason for the lack of automatism and the inaccuracy in team play is the often changing starting formation and constantly changing defense – especially due to the injuries. Nevertheless, more is expected from Bayern. Much more.
Report on possible change of Leon Goretzkas
“A reaction was necessary, we showed the reaction,” said Tuchel. He saw his team as “more grippy” and “serious” than against Bremen. “I have no problem with the game, no problem with the result, nor with the way it was played.” Tuchel found this “okay”. And his captain Manuel Neuer said: “We had to win the game, we were under a lot of pressure.”
At the beginning of the second half, Bayern played well, and after Raphaël Guerreiro’s goal (46th), they continued to apply pressure. But then they let up and sometimes acted unsettled. And with some trepidation, they managed to maintain the lead over the game time. They were lucky that Union didn’t get a penalty. There was also a lack of determination on the offensive.
“When you score the second goal, the opponent gets the feeling that nothing is possible anymore. Then things become easier. So it got a bit heated at the end,” said professional midfielder Leon Goretzka. But he also saw improvements compared to the game against Bremen: “We hardly allowed any chances to score.”
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Goretzka’s personality is delicate. In the 3-0 win against TSG Hoffenheim and the 1-0 win against Bremen, Tuchel didn’t let him play from the start. The national player was once again in the starting eleven against Union, for the first time this year. Also because his coach Raphaël Guerreiro moved from midfield to the left-back position. “No, I don’t see myself as a stopgap,” said Goretzka after the win against Union.
Goretzka behaves professionally, but cannot be satisfied with his playing time. “Sportbild” reports that the international is considering a move to England next summer. His contract in Munich is valid until June 30, 2026.
On Saturday (3:30 p.m., Sky) Bayern will play tenth-placed FC Augsburg. Winter signing Dier could be part of Bayern’s starting eleven for the first time – also due to a lack of alternatives. On February 10th there will be the top game against table first Leverkusen, just four days later the first leg of the round of 16 of the Champions League will take place at Lazio Rome.
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