As expected, FC Bayern can again rely on captain Manuel Neuer and Leroy Sane in the quarter-final second leg of the Champions League against Arsenal FC on Wednesday (9 p.m.). The recently injured duo, who missed last Saturday’s Bundesliga game against 1. FC Köln (2-0), are ready for action according to coach Thomas Tuchel.
“Manu can play, Leroy can play,” said Tuchel on Tuesday, but added: Sane “has to grit his teeth because of the personnel situation, like he has in the last few weeks – as long as he can.” The national player, who has persistent pubic bone problems, “is dragging himself through the season in pain for the team,” reported Tuchel. Neuer took a break against FC because Bayern didn’t want to take any risks after the goalkeeper’s adductor injury.
Tuchel will have to do without the injured wingers Serge Gnabry and Kingsley Coman as well as the suspended Alphonso Davies. Sacha Boey and Bouna Sarr are also not yet available after recovering from injuries.
Tuchel said he saw “no reason” to separate the midfield duo Leon Goretzka and Konrad Laimer after the good first leg (2-2), especially since Aleksandar Pavlovic was lacking rhythm after an illness. The coach wants to decide who will replace Davies on the left side of defense “after the final training session” on Tuesday afternoon. He named Noussair Mazraoui and Raphael Guerreiro as candidates.
“We need everything again!” said Tuchel about the demands against the English top team: “The same dedication and passion, the same tactical discipline. Probably a bit more. We have to show our best side.”
Arsenal play tactically “extremely fluently and have a very attractive style,” enthused Tuchel: “It’s fun to watch Arsenal, you can learn something every time, that’s the highest level.”
2024-04-16 12:38:00
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