FC Bayern Munich has to play in the quarter-finals first leg of the Champions League on Tuesday evening (April 11, 2023/live ticker at sportschau.de). Manchester City without Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting.
The attacker was not present at the final training session at the club’s premises the day before the game. According to the club, the 34-year-old will not be making the trip to Manchester due to knee problems. That’s why Choupo-Moting missed the 1-0 win at SC Freiburg in the Bundesliga on Saturday. He had repeatedly been stopped by back problems in the past few weeks.
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.
Müller beckons historic victory
Another option for the place up front would be Serge Gnabry, who played there against Freiburg. Coach Thomas Tuchel would also have Thomas Müller as an option 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.
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.
Tuchel’s fourth game as Bayern coach
Tuchel is aggressive: “We need complete physical exertion, we have to be smart and courageous and have a few tactical solutions that we can use to gain security. Then the visor goes up – and then there’s a fight.”
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 face off in the semifinals on the winner of the pairing Real Madrid vs Chelsea FC meet.