DFB Cup
Tuchel hopes for “regular” conditions in Saarbrücken
Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel has to compete with his team in Saarbrücken. photo
© Peter Kneffel/dpa
Bayern only travel to Saarbrücken on match day. And Thomas Tuchel hopes that it will be possible to play after the journey – especially with a view to the next top game in Dortmund.
A final decision on whether to host or cancel the event should not be made until the day of the match. Bayern had already planned in advance to travel to Saarbrücken on Wednesday morning. Tuchel would only be annoyed if the cancellation were only made after arriving in Saarland three days before the top Bundesliga game at Borussia Dortmund. “For me it’s more about the journey, which would be more in our bones than the game itself,” said the 50-year-old: “I hope that there are regular conditions when the game takes place.”
Players should not be spared
Tuchel is not planning to rest several stars for the Bundesliga classic on Saturday in Dortmund. “We don’t want to give anyone the feeling that the game is more important. It’s a knockout game against Saarbrücken,” explained Tuchel. Bayern definitely want to get back to the final in Berlin this season, having been in the second round twice and in the quarter-finals once since they last won the title in 2020.
Harry Kane in particular is “a player who is used to playing a lot” and can do it “economically,” said Tuchel. National players Leon Goretzka (broken metacarpal) and Serge Gnabry could return to the squad after a broken forearm and illness. The ailing Jamal Musiala and Noussair Mazraoui as well as Kingsley Coman, who sprained his foot in the 8-0 win against Darmstadt, could be out. For Dayot Upamecano and Raphael Guerreiro, it comes too early after muscle injuries, reported Tuchel. Thomas Müller and Mathys Tel are the first candidates for a place in the starting eleven.
Transfers in prospect?
Tuchel responded with a quick comment to Honorary President Uli Hoeneß’s statement that he could go on a shopping spree at FC Bayern in the winter given the thin squad. “Did he definitely say it on transfers? Or did he mean the Leberkäs roll from his bakery on Tegernsee?” said Tuchel. “Then it will be expensive for him if he said it like that. Then we’ll get it out as soon as the transfer period opens again in January,” the Bayern coach added with a laugh.
During a circus visit by the Bayern professionals, Hoeneß commented on possible player purchases after the first half of the season. “If we continue to be in three competitions by then, as it looks like, then we have to analyze what is necessary. And our coach will give us everything that is necessary,” remarked the 71-year-old.
Tuchel had repeatedly complained about the record champions’ limited squad, especially in defense and defensive midfield. The 50-year-old sees reinforcements as necessary, especially since “at least two players” had to be released for the Asian Cup (Minjae Kim) and the African Cup (Noussair Mazraoui) at the beginning of the year. “We’re keeping our eyes and ears open and trying – as in every transfer window – to strengthen our team. I hope we can do that,” said Tuchel.