Ahead of the third group game in the Champions League against Galatasaray, defender Noussair Mazraoui remains the dominant topic at FC Bayern. On Monday, coach Thomas Tuchel once again defended the Moroccan international after his pro-Palestine message.
“He didn’t train alone as a punishment, but because he returned injured from the national team,” emphasized the 50-year-old before the match on Tuesday in Istanbul (6:45 p.m. CEST/Prime Video).
Tuchel added: “We spoke to him a lot and dealt with the issue very deeply and fundamentally. The club and the CEO have issued a statement that it remains. Nouss is in the squad and remains our player.”
Mazraoui caused a huge stir on social media with pro-Palestine posts and missed the 3-1 win in Mainz last Saturday due to muscle problems.
“We have accelerated his regeneration process to the max,” revealed Tuchel. The right-back “fully took part in the final training session in the morning. If there is no reaction overnight, he can play,” said Tuchel.
FC Bayern warned of cauldron in Istanbul
Tuchel sees his team as prepared for the Galatasaray cauldron. “We’re not completely green now,” the trainer made clear: “It’s obviously extremely emotional, extremely loud. But we’re confident enough to deal with it.”
Aside from the heated atmosphere, Tuchel, who only has a mini-squad of 18 players available on the Bosphorus, was also warned about the playing quality of his upcoming opponent.
Galatasaray, who sensationally beat Manchester United 3-2 at Old Trafford in the second group game, were an “extremely difficult draw, a very good opponent” who “played very aggressive, fast and determined football”.
Defense star Matthijs de Ligt is also expecting an opponent on Tuesday evening who will play together “with the whole arena”.