Champions League
From Sané to Tel: Tuchel’s offensive puzzle against Lazio
The Bayern offensive around Harry Kane (l) has to deliver. photo
© Sven Hoppe/dpa
Who can shoot Bayern into the Champions League quarter-finals? Harry Kane, of course. Or a Jamal Musiala. Is “the pain level” appropriate for a returnee?
“The situation is very clear. We need a win with a two-goal difference, the hurdle is high,” said coach Thomas Tuchel. The pressure situation is great, for the coach and for the Munich football professionals. “A certain level of pressure is part of a top performance,” said Tuchel.
Munich’s offensive options
Leroy Sané: The winger was seen on the pitch during the final training session on Monday afternoon with a smile on his face. In the new year, Sané is far from his gala form from the first phase of the season, but is still a beacon of hope. Recently, pain in the patellar tendon also affected his performance. In addition to the knee, the groin has recently been causing problems. “He hasn’t played without pain for a long time,” reported Tuchel. However, after the break in the 2-2 draw in Freiburg, the attacker had “a level of pain that he could tolerate”. Sané is needed against Lazio. “I assume he can play,” said Tuchel.
Harry Kane: Of course the Englishman is the first candidate for goals. In 32 competitive games for FC Bayern he scored 31 times, including four times in the premier class. Tuchel has no doubts that the goalscorer will step up and deliver against Lazio: “It’s a pleasure to have him in the team. He will perform. We can rely on him 100 percent.” Kane came to Munich from London in 2023 to finally win titles. An end would therefore be fatal, especially since the Champions League final takes place on June 1st at Wembley Stadium in London. That was his dream goal of the season from the start.
Bayern need a stroke of genius – so Musiala?
Jamal Musiala: The great solo number to make it 2-1 in Freiburg was ultimately not enough for Munich to win. But Bayern need the national player’s strokes of genius. “It’s really annoying how things are going right now,” groaned Musiala. Light and shadow also change with him. But the 20-year-old is always one who can make the difference.
Thomas Müller: No other Bayern professional knows big Champions League games as well as the veteran. 148 games, 53 goals – these numbers speak for a Müller game. But the 34-year-old’s influence on Munich’s attack output is shrinking. Müller last celebrated a goal in the premier class on October 12, 2022 in a 4-2 win against Viktoria Plzen. Will Tuchel still rely on his experience against Lazio?
Sports director Freund over the phone: “Provided good scenes”
Mathys Tel: When he was in the starting eleven in Freiburg, the 18-year-old Frenchman recommended that he also be allowed to start against Lazio – possibly instead of Müller. “He scored a great goal, fought, and always created good scenes,” said sports director Christoph Freund, praising the talent. Tel brings dynamism and carefreeness to the pitch and can certainly captivate a stadium with his refreshing offensive drive.
Serge Gnabry: Tuchel’s joker? Rather no. The national player is back on the training pitch after a serious muscle and tendon injury to his thigh, but without any competition practice. “Serge can still be seen that he was injured for months. It will take a while. He lacks rhythm,” explained Tuchel. Gnabry may be in the squad.