The coach of the German record champions answers questions about his starting eleven before the start of the clash in Leverkusen – and also speaks plainly about the state of his team.
Even before the kick-off of the top Bundesliga game between Bayer Leverkusen and FC Bayern on Saturday evening, there were the first surprises: Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel found unexpected solutions for his line-up (read more about this here). And before the start of the game he explained his idea on Sky: “On Wednesday, I think” the decision to line up against the Werkself was made. “Because we are convinced that this is the best approach, to be the team that beats Leverkusen first.”
“Yesterday evening in training” it became clear that goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who was recently injured, can still play (you can read more about this here). It was doubtful that Neuer had not been able to train during the week. “Manu gave the clear signal that he was starting.”
“We can finish the game with Josh”
The decision against Kimmich was rather a decision for the constellation from the last game – instead, like in the game against Borussia Mönchengladbach last week (3:1), Leon Goretzka and Aleksandar Pavlovic play in the center. “We just left the two of them together,” said Tuchel. “I think it’s very important that Leon and Pavlo play as closely together as they have recently.”
Kimmich, on the other hand, “came back to training this week and has trained almost 100 percent without any symptoms. Nevertheless, the duels in training and now in the game are something different. Now was not the moment to take the ultimate risk, like the two of them “The other six teams also had very, very good form.” However, Tuchel held out the prospect of a substitution: “We can finish the game with Josh.”
Thomas Müller also has to stay out at the start of the game. “Slightly different basic order today, slightly different approach, therefore one less position at the front,” explained Tuchel.
The 50-year-old also openly explained his team’s current level: “We are further away from our top level than Leverkusen – and that’s where our chance lies. It feels like this is the moment to push to the next level .”