FC Bayern Munich
Worried about RB Leipzig: Bayern has a lot to make up for
Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel is plagued by injury concerns. photo
© Tom Weller/dpa
The mandatory task in the cup has been checked off, the focus is on the top game. Before Bayern’s league smash at RB Leipzig, one part of the team is worried – despite a strong substitute appearance.
The 50-year-old is not only worried about his defense at the worst possible time. Serge Gnabry’s broken forearm is causing Tuchel additional concerns. The people of Munich have already learned the hard way this season how difficult the task will be for the reigning cup winners on Saturday.
“We still have a lot to make up for in the Supercup, where we didn’t show our face at all,” said Goretzka, referring to the 3-0 loss against the Saxons in August. “We have to straighten things out a bit and we will be highly motivated.” The 28-year-old also wants to play in his favorite position in midfield again, although he impressed in an unusual role and was even named the best player of the game. Because three central defenders were missing, Goretzka played in the center of defense.
Badly battered Bayern squad
According to Tuchel, the prospects of some potential regulars returning to the Bayern squad, which was badly hit in Münster, for the Leipzig game are not bad. “I hope that Thomas Müller, Minjae Kim and Dayot Upamecano will have enough until Saturday,” he said and added: “But it will be a close race that we have to complete to get them fit. But it’s realistic, it’s doable.” Since the third central defender Matthijs de Ligt is definitely still out according to Tuchel, the quick recovery of Kim and Upamecano would be particularly important for him before the meeting with Loïs Openda, Xavi Simons, Timo Werner & Co.
National player Gnabry will be missing from Munich for several weeks. Tuchel described the fracture of the ulna in the 28-year-old’s left forearm after a collision with Münster goalkeeper Johannes Schenk as a “big downer”.
However, the coach currently has alternatives in top form up front – unlike in defense. His players didn’t show him that until he was in Münster. In the first round game, which was postponed due to the Supercup, Edeljoker Mathys Tel dribbled and sprinted from the start and was rewarded in the final phase with his fifth competitive goal of the season. Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting also scored, Frans Krätzig, who came on early for Gnabry, celebrated a goal and Jamal Musiala played through again after his break in the Bundesliga. Tuchel was able to rest his super striker Harry Kane with peace of mind. After 90 minutes on the bench, the English record scorer tackles the Leipzig task (Saturday 6.30 p.m./Sky) fresh and rested.
Supercup fiasco as a warning and starting signal
The Supercup fiasco with three goals from the currently injured Leipzig offensive artist Dani Olmo was both a warning and a starting signal for Bayern. “It was a very bad performance from us. After that, it seemed like something clicked,” said Goretzka. This was followed by six competitive wins, including the 7-0 gala against VfL Bochum last weekend, as well as a draw. “Now we have put together a few decent performances in a row and started a small series of victories – and of course we want to continue that on Saturday,” said Goretzka.
Away from the football field, speculation about Leipzig’s sports director Max Eberl was once again rife before the leaders’ game against the fourth-place team, which was only one point worse. “Sport Bild” reported on Wednesday that it seems only a matter of time before the 50-year-old takes on an important position at Bayern. A change in the transfer period at the beginning of next year is “quite possible,” it was said. Eberl himself referred to his current contract in Leipzig and did not comment further on the rumors. He has already been considered a candidate for FC Bayern several times in the past, where he started his football career.