Outgoing Bayern Munich head coach Thomas Tuchel made a cocky claim ahead of his team’s Champions League semifinal first leg tie against Real Madrid.
The Bundesliga and La Liga giants face off on Tuesday with memories of last four showdowns in the elite European competition during the last decade still fresh in the minds of many football fans.
Speaking at a prematch press conference ahead of his team’s clash with Eintracht Frankfurt at the weekend, Tuchel, who will step down at the end of the season, made a bold claim when providing an update on the fitness of several players.
“Serge will be available on Tuesday,” he said about his winger Serge Gnabry. “I think he’ll play and score”.
Antonio Rudiger and either Eder Militao, Nacho or Aurelien Tchouameni will attempt to stop Gnabry from doing so, with Tuchel’s opposite number Carlo Ancelotti confessing that he is still unsure on his central defence partnership after Los Blancos beat Real Sociedad 1-0 on Friday.
Speaking about one of his own defenders, Tuchel said that “Dayot Upamecano has unfortunately twisted his ankle in training. It’s very painful and he’s a doubt for tomorrow. We have to wait.”
Further up the field, Bayern is looking at Leroy Sane’s recovery “day to day”.
“It’s a race against time for Tuesday. He’s training individually. I can’t make a prediction right now,” Tuchel said.
Jamal Musiala “will start tomorrow without any pain” versus Frankfurt, Tuchel confirmed, as he paid “big compliments to the physios”.
“He feels free and has trained well. He’s a key player for us no matter the opponent.”
As for Harry Kane, who many felt Madrid should have gone after last summer in light of Karim Benzema’s departure to Saudi Arabia, Tuchel said that his goalscoring record “is incredible”.
“His goals help us a lot. He has the complete package: he doesn’t just score goals, he also assists and he’s a leader. He’s the captain of the English national team, and we’re very happy that he’s here.”
With Bayer Leverkusen having sealed the Bundesliga ahead of schedule, the Champions League title can essentially save Bayern’s season.
Going all the way to the Wembley final – where either Paris Saint-Germain or domestic rivals Borussia Dortmund await – won’t be straightforward considering that record-winners Madrid stand in the way, however.
