Getty ImagesThomas Tuchel
NOS Voetbal•vandaag, 14:21
As soon as Thomas Tuchel is asked another question about Uli Hoeness, the Bayern Munich coach points to his forehead with two index fingers. “I’m just thinking about Real Madrid, let’s talk about that match,” Tuchel said at the press conference for the Champions League semi-final.
While Bayern Munich prepares for the match that will save the season, Tuchel is even under fire internally. The outgoing coach was severely criticized by club icon Hoeness last week.
De Ligt’s participation is doubtful
It is still uncertain whether Matthijs de Ligt is fit enough for the match against Real Madrid. The Dutch defender has a knee injury.
“We will know for sure after training this afternoon,” said Tuchel, who still has four question marks in his selection with Jamal Musiala, Konrad Laimer, Leroy Sané and Dayot Upamecano. “In such a big match you can’t start with too many uncertainties.”
The Champions League semi-final match between Bayern Munich and Real Madrid can be followed tomorrow in a live blog on NOS.nl and the NOS app. The kick-off is at 9 p.m.
The former chairman of Bayern, currently a member of the supervisory board and honorary chairman, told Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung that young Bayern players such as Alphonso Davies and Jamal Musiala have not improved under Tuchel.
Mortified
This weekend, after the Bundesliga match against Eintracht Frankfurt (2-1 win), Tuchel shot back fiercely: “Those words have hurt my honor as a coach. I have very little understanding for this absolutely unfounded criticism.”
However, in conversation with Kicker today, Hoeness does not take anything back from his statements, on the contrary. “Tuchel would rather demand that we buy new players than develop the current group.”
EPAHoeness on the grandstand at Bayern, between former chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and current chairman Herbert Hainer
In February it was announced that 50-year-old Tuchel will leave Munich at the end of this season. Last season, Bayern managed to miraculously win the national title under the coach on the last match day. This year the club did not become champion for the first time in eleven years.
The Champions League is the only way for Tuchel to end his time at Bayern on a positive note. The internal criticism therefore comes at a very inopportune time. “I don’t want to go into that subject anymore,” the coach says again at the press conference. “It’s already over for me.”
Kimmich
Before Tuchel appears at the press conference, defender Joshua Kimmich also answers questions from the press. The 29-year-old German stands up for his trainer – albeit somewhat cumbersomely – when he is asked point-blank whether he has improved under Tuchel.
Pro ShotsBayern-coach Thomas Tuchel
“I have played in different positions at the back and in midfield, which helps you in your development as a player. This season we have used different playing styles. Sometimes fast and attacking, sometimes leaning more back on the counter. I think every player was able to learn something from that.”
But Kimmich also preferred to talk about the meeting with Real Madrid. It will be the 21st time that both teams have faced each other in the Champions League, making it the most played match in the history of the tournament.
“Everyone who loves football wants to see this match. As a player you want to be at your best,” says Kimmich.
“Of course you notice something about the situation with Tuchel and Hoeness. But as players we are not really involved. Only tomorrow’s match and next week’s return count. Other things should not distract us.”
2024-04-29 12:21:57
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