Champions League: Clear Tuchel announcement: “Fixed point” Kimmich in Bayern’s starting line-up

Champions League
Clear Tuchel announcement: “Fixed point” Kimmich in Bayern’s starting line-up

Coach Thomas Tuchel left no doubt that the national player, who was banned from the Bundesliga Joshua Kimmich will be back in the starting eleven for FC Bayern Munich in the Champions League against Galatasaray Istanbul.

“Jo is a regular player and a fixture in my team. He will play,” said Tuchel before the home game on Wednesday (9 p.m. / DAZN), in which the German record champions can make their early entry into the round of 16 of the premier class perfect.

Keeper Neuer praises Kimmich

“That would be a huge confirmation,” said Tuchel about a possible progression on the fourth of six matchdays. After three wins, Bayern lead Group A with nine points, clearly ahead of second-placed Istanbul (4 points).

Captain Manuel Neuer will be in goal again in the Champions League for the first time since breaking his leg. The 37-year-old also clearly voted for Kimmich to be deployed in midfield despite Bayern’s strong performance without the 28-year-old in the 4-0 win in Dortmund. “If I can choose a team and Joshua is available, I always want to play with him,” said Neuer in the press conference before the final training session.

In addition to Matthijs de Ligt, who has a knee injury, only Raphael Guerreiro will be missing from Munich. The Portuguese will return to the squad after a muscle injury against 1. FC Heidenheim on Saturday, as Tuchel announced. Then Kimmich is suspended for the last time after his Bundesliga dismissal in the 8-0 win against Darmstadt.

The expected lineups:

Bayern Munich: Neuer – Laimer, Upamecano, Kim, Davies – Kimmich, Goretzka – Coman, Musiala, Sané – Kane

Galatasaray Istanbul: Güvenç – Boey, Nelsson, Sánchez, Bardakci – Torreira, Ayhan – Ziyech, Aktürkoğlu, Zaha – Icardi

Referee: Carvalho Nobre (Portugal)

dpa