Injuries and Tuchel pressure: Bayern is facing problems before the big match in Leverkusen

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The neutral observer is eagerly awaiting a new Bundesliga champion – after Bayern’s last eleven titles in a row. There is little chance that this can happen this year. Although the record champions from Munich still have every chance of winning the championship title, competition Croesus will face certain problems in the top battle against leader Leverkusen (Saturday, 6:30 PM in Blick Liveticker). A defeat against the leader from North Rhine-Westphalia could be decisive for the championship race.

Major staffing problems

A total of twelve Bayern professionals were missing from Tuesday’s training. Prominent absentee: star goalkeeper Manuel Neuer (37). His participation at the weekend is in doubt after he did not train on Wednesday and Thursday due to knee problems. According to the information from “Kicker” this is just a precaution – but the ideal preparation looks different.

Joshua Kimmich (28) and Dayot Upamecano (25) were able to return to team training on Wednesday after missing two matches. However, it is currently difficult to estimate whether and for how long the two regular players will be deployed. More room to play in defensive positions and in defensive midfield would be very helpful to coach Thomas Tuchel (50). In any case, central defender Kim (27) will return to the selection next weekend after his surprising defeat on Tuesday against Jordan in the semi-final of the Asian Cup with South Korea.

Unrest within the club

Tuchel, who has been on Bayern’s coaching bench since March, has come under increasing criticism this season. The coach clashed several times, especially with ‘Sky’ expert Didi Hamann (50). Tuchel recently explained at a fan club meeting that he would be interested in working abroad again in the indefinite future. Hamann commented sharply on this in the talk show ‘Sky90’: ‘He talks about how he would like to train in Barcelona or Spain. That’s a shame.”

Tuchel reacted angrily after the 3-1 home win against Gladbach last Saturday: “The things that happened during my visit to the fan club were completely taken out of context.” He rejected Hamann’s apology; he had since retracted his statements. “I don’t buy it from him,” Tuchel explains.

The master trainer generally thins out when it comes to the media. While Hoeness (72), who is still powerful at the club, often stood for Tuchel in a very public manner last season, he has hardly spoken out lately. The atmosphere on Säbener Strasse could be better.

Statistics and form speak for Leverkusen

In September, the two teams drew 2-2 in Munich, and Munich’s last guest match at the BayArena was lost 2-1 (March 19, 2023). The Werkself of coach Xabi Alonso (42) is still undefeated this season (30 competitive matches).

They have been without defeat at home since May. And with the exciting victory in the quarter-finals of the cup against strong Stuttgart, the Bayer players have once again boosted their self-confidence.

Source : Blick