Champions League
Tuchel’s storm poker: Choupo and the “clever” Müller
Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel at the press conference. photo
© Matthias Balk/dpa
Bayern Munich needs goals against Manchester City. Who does Thomas Tuchel rely on on the offensive? Is it a case for two? Pep Guardiola has a premonition.
Thomas Tuchel plays poker. The FC Bayern Munich coach knows that he has to be right offensively when selecting personnel in order to catch up in the Champions League against Manchester City.
After all, after the 0: 3 in the quarter-final first leg in the evening (9 p.m. / DAZN) in the Allianz Arena, the Munich team have to score at least three goals to still make it into the semi-finals. A case for two veterans?
Choupo-Moting fit again
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting returned to the training ground at the beginning of the week after suffering knee problems. The 34-year-old is the beacon of hope for an end to the goal drought in Bayern’s storm. “I haven’t decided yet,” said Tuchel on Tuesday evening when the national player from Cameroon played in the starting lineup. “We’ll have to wait and see how the knee reacts. If it goes well, then he’s a candidate,” said Tuchel.
Choupo-Moting has 17 goals this season, four of them in the Champions League. Tuchel listed the advantages of the only real nine in the Munich squad. “He gives us confidence in the position. He gives us physicality at set pieces. Choupo gives us another alternative if he gives the go-ahead on match day,” said the coach.
mentality player Müller
Tuchel did not want to reveal in advance whether Thomas Müller will lead the Bayern team as captain this time. A week ago in Manchester he only brought the most experienced Munich premier class player and representative of the injured captain Manuel Neuer as a joker. “It also depends on what kind of game we expect,” said Tuchel mysteriously.
Müller is known as a mentality player. And one who, especially in the Allianz Arena, can not only inspire a team, but also the audience. Of course, Tuchel also knows the qualities of the veteran. “We have few or no players who are as clever and cunning in the penalty area as Thomas.”
Man City coach Pep Guardiola knows Müller from his time as Bayern coach. “I know how important Thomas Müller is,” he said on Tuesday evening in the Allianz Arena. He did not speak to Tuchel, “but I think he will play”. You will know that at the latest one hour before kick-off, because then the lists of both coaches will be published.