Choupo-Moting (2nd from left) celebrates, here in the win against Inter Milan. In Manchester he is injured Photo: picture alliance / Avanti
From BZ/dpa
FC Bayern will have to do without Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting in the quarter-final first leg against Manchester City. The striker is out with knee problems. Coach Thomas Tuchel has to evaluate other options.
attacker Choupo Moting was not present at the final training session on the club grounds the day before the game on Tuesday (9 p.m.). According to the club, the 34-year-old will not travel to Manchester due to knee problems. That’s why he missed the 1-0 win in Freiburg on Saturday.
An alternative for the striker would be Sadio Mané, who turned 31 on Easter Monday. There were congratulations for Africa’s Footballer of the Year before the unit. The team-mates stood guard, Leon Goretzka hugged the former Liverpool star as he warmed up.
100th victory for Müller?
Another option for the place up front would be Serge Gnabry, who played there against Freiburg. Coach Thomas Tuchel would have too Thomas Müller as a possibility for this position. The captain could be only the third player after superstar Cristiano Ronaldo (115) and Iker Casillas (101) to celebrate his 100th victory in the Champions League in Manchester.
The eternal Müller: Bayern attacker Thomas Müller could celebrate his 100th victory in the Champions League if he wins in Manchester Photo: picture alliance/dpa
In spring-like weather, Kingsley Coman, who had recently been slightly injured, was also part of the unit a few hours before departure. On Tuesday evening in Manchester, the Munich team want to create a good starting position for the second leg in Munich eight days later.
For Tuchel it is the fourth game as coach of FC Bayern. So far, Bayern have had a perfect premier class record this season. Eight wins in eight games. The winner of the duel would meet the winner of the pairing Real Madrid vs. Chelsea in the semi-finals.