dFC Bayern Munich will have to worry until shortly before goalkeeper Manuel Neuer kicks off for the Bundesliga's most important match against Bayer Leverkusen. Coach Thomas Tuchel reported that the national player, who suffers from knee problems, will try to return to team training on Friday.
Neuer had taken a break this week or had only trained individually. Tuchel said that he wanted to get ahead of Saturday's game (6:30 p.m. in FAZ live ticker for the Bundesliga and in Sky) do not generate pressure. “It's Manu, we give him time until Saturday at 5:00 p.m..” Then the goalkeeper will say if he is fit. Otherwise, substitute Sven Ullreich would enter the goal.
Kimmich returns
With the latest published Joshua Kimmich Tuchel (shoulder injury) and Dayot Upamecano (hamstring tear) are expected to be able to return to full training with the team. “If nothing extraordinary happens today, both are set,” said the coach. He did not want to reveal who will start in defense, for which Minjae Kim is also available again after South Korea's elimination from the Asian Cup.
Tuchel also praised his Leverkusen colleague Xabi Alonso For his job. “Xabi's handwriting is 100 percent recognizable,” Tuchel said. “It was an outstanding performance from the start, not just this season but since he took over. “It is clear that there is also great respect as a technical colleague,” said the Munich native.
Alonso was looking for October 2022 Leverkusen and now he has made the then Bayer the favorite for the championship. Leverkusen comes into the direct duel with two points ahead of Bayern.
Tuchel is not surprised by the Spaniard's impact. As an active professional footballer, Alonso “already played in such a way that it didn't take much imagination to imagine that he could also be a top-level coach,” the Bayern coach recalled. “He Now he has committed to everything with the same dedication.” It is therefore entirely right that Leverkusen and Alonso receive “unconditional praise” for their work, Tuchel said.
However, Bayern will do everything in their power to inflict Bayer's first defeat of the season and knock the club off the top of the table. “We are going to Leverkusen to turn the tables and put the cards on the table,” said Tuchel and wanted “a statement” from his protégés.