The expression “sewn on edge” comes from the language of tailors. It describes a garment that is sewn so tightly that it fits exactly. If anything happens differently than expected, it may mean that the product can no longer be used as intended. When Thomas Tuchel appeared in front of the cameras shortly after the end of the transfer deadline and chose exactly this phrase to describe the squad planning of the Munich defensive department, he got into a lot of trouble.
Club patron Uli Hoeneß was particularly upset that the FC Bayern coach made such a public statement. Tuchel would belittle the players in the squad and make the team weaker than it is, Hoeneß said at the time and pointed out that only national players sat on the record champions’ bench.
DFB Cup embarrassment: first victim of personnel policy?
When FC Bayern spectacularly dashed its DFB Cup title hopes against a third division team in Saarbrücken on Wednesday, there were actually impressive names on the bench: 100 million man Harry Kane, Kingsley Coman, Konrad Laimer, Jamal Musiala, Serge Gnabry . Seasoned national players, some even superstars. But almost exclusively offensive forces. Next to them sat substitute goalkeeper Daniel Peretz (at least a simple national player) and the previously unknown Aleksandar Pavlovic, Lovro Zvonarek and Taichi Fukui. Young players, the majority of whom are used in U-national teams, would theoretically also serve Hoeneß’s argument, but are certainly not one thing: defenders.
When Matthijs de Ligt attempted a tackle near the corner flag, then called for the record champions’ medical staff with hectic movements and was no longer able to continue playing, the situation worsened dramatically. As the record champions announced on Thursday, the Dutchman has partially torn the medial ligament in his right knee joint. Downtime: Several weeks.
Due to the injury, Laimer only made his debut as a central defender in Saarbrücken and was clearly too late in the 96th minute to prevent Marcel Gaus from making it 1-2. The thin staffing level claimed its first victim. The triple mission failed early.
Banging look at the top Bundesliga game in Dortmund
It is not the first time that Tuchel has had to find emergency solutions for his defense. Leon Goretzka and Noussair Mazraoui also made their debut as central defenders in the first DFB Cup game because all the other regular defenders were unavailable. Now we’re off to the top game in Dortmund on Saturday (Dortmund against FC Bayern on Saturday, November 4th in the radio report). And Tuchel will probably have a hard time filling the 18-man squad.
De Ligt won’t be able to play, the BVB game probably comes too early for Dayot Upamecano, said Tuchel at the press conference on Friday, but still hoped “to be able to skip a few steps in close consultation with everyone involved.” Noussair Mazraoui missed the DFB Cup game with an infection. A comeback would also come too early for Raphaël Guerreiro after the second serious injury at his former employer. But there is also great need among the temporary defenders. Leon Goretzka is more than questionable after breaking his hand at the end of October. When asked who should take the vacant spot next to Kim in the back four, Tuchel explained: “If Leon can’t, then Upa. If Upa can’t, then Leon.” And if neither can? Well. Joshua Kimmich also missed the game due to a red card suspension. Here too, Goretzka would be the best possible replacement. But the problem is known.
Loss of De Ligt: Will Krätzig start against BVB?
Tuchel is now likely to be meticulously moving the players around on his virtual playing field in order to find an eleven that would somehow be competitive. If Laimer were to move into central defense again, there would no longer be an experienced central midfielder in the squad. Frans Krätzig would have to play in the unfamiliar position and have either another talent or an offensive mind like Thomas Müller or Jamal Musiala as a partner next to him.
If Mazraoui recovers in time, Laimer would be ready to play again in midfield, the Moroccan could move into the center of defense – Bouna Sarr would then probably take his place on the wing. The right-back, who has been gathering dust on the record champions’ sales shelves for years, is well on his way to breaking his playing time record from the 2020/21 season (810 minutes). If the personnel situation does not improve quickly, Sarr – who is also a 13-time national player – is likely to unexpectedly make a few appearances.
Winter transfers: Hoeneß condition can no longer be met
The game in Dortmund is now likely to put Munich’s thin personnel base fully in the spotlight for the first time against a top opponent in a prestigious duel that could potentially be decisive for the championship. Hoeneß recently announced that he wanted to dig deeper into his pockets in the winter.
Regarding Tuchel’s wishes, he said: “If good arguments come to us, and he will probably have them, we are not fundamentally totally against it,” the 71-year-old commented on possible winter additions in an interview with BR24Sport on Monday and followed up: “Our trainer gets everything we need from us.” Tuchel has collected plenty of arguments this week. Improving the squad should not fail because of this. A condition that Hoeneß had set in the same breath is much more serious: “If we are still in all three competitions by then.” That is no longer possible after the embarrassing DFB Cup exit.