According to Tuchel, the ÖFB team kicker should get fit in time despite a capsule injury in his foot and could help put Tuchel’s creative time in Munich in a completely different light with an advance to the final on June 1st in London against Dortmund or Paris Saint-Germain. Tuchel would be on top as premier class champion – and not coach critic Uli Hoeneß. “It would compensate for a lot,” said Tuchel after 13 difficult months at Bayern marked by bitter defeats, if a happy ending remained possible.
Hoeneß’s criticism of the inadequate development of young players under Tuchel and the wait for the new preferred candidate Ralf Rangnick to be confirmed should be pushed into the background during the crucial semi-final days. “We noticed the fire, but for us the two games against Real count,” said Kimmich about the distracting Hoeneß-Tuchel argument. The coach simply said: “Real Madrid! There is only Real Madrid!”
Bayern coach Tuchel before a cracker against Real
In the semi-final first leg of the Champions League there will be a cracker between Bayern Munich and Real Madrid on Tuesday. At the press conference, Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel spoke about the prestigious duel and the opposing coach Carlo Ancelotti.
Tuchel is working on tactics
Tuchel is looking for tactical solutions and the right personnel to win the coaching duel with “the legend Carlo Ancelotti”. “This feels like a finale,” he said. “We need an absolute top atmosphere. There has to be a home advantage, the spectators have to breathe the game,” was Tuchel’s imploring appeal to the Munich fans. He himself has to weigh up how much risk he is taking when fielding struggling players.
IMAGO/Oryk Haist Austria’s Bayern legionnaire Konrad Laimer (r.) seems ready for the hit
He expects “last-minute decisions” for Jamal Musiala (tendon irritation) and Leroy Sane (pubic bone). The use of Matthijs de Ligt (knee) is very questionable, Laimer’s chances of playing are likely to be best. “My approach is to line up like in a final,” said Tuchel.
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“Myth” Real is rising again
“The whole football world is happy”
Goal guarantee Harry Kane, young star Musiala and premier class veteran Manuel Neuer in goal should shape the evening and not Kroos, Antonio Rüdiger, Jude Bellingham and star striker Vinicius Junior, who Kimmich in particular has to stop. “He is one of the best dribblers and one-on-one players in Europe,” said Kimmich about the 23-year-old Brazilian. Bellingham (20) had once again filled the void in Real’s offensive game after Karim Benzema, Tuchel remarked appreciatively: “Jude plays in the ten, nine, eight and six positions in a personal union. He’s a key player.”
“The whole football world is happy,” said Neuer. The first in the all-time Champions League table (Real) meets the second (Bayern). Both clubs fought many legendary duels. In Madrid, Bayern were even considered the “Bestia Negra”. But since Munich’s semi-final triumph in 2012, its reputation as a “black beast” has suffered. Real celebrated in the 2014 semi-finals, 2017 quarter-finals and 2018 semi-finals.
