Before the cracker against Arsenal FC, Thomas Tuchel is once again struggling with the injury plight. Harry Kane makes a personal declaration of war on his city rival.
“It only happened once”:
Tuchel
names Bayern’s problem during his time in office
Kane
raves about Munich and FC Bayern: “I like it a lot”
The Bayern press conference with
Harry Kane
and
Thomas Tuchel
can be read in the
ticker
.
That's it! The press conference is over.
1.40 p.m.:
Do Bayern “have” to advance tomorrow? “I think 'have to' is the wrong word. After a long time, we want to get to the semi-finals again and also all the way to the final. A Champions League victory sweetens every team's season. We underperformed in the cup and the league. It’s a different competition, we have to push the limits.”
“It only happened once”: Tuchel names Bayern’s problem during his time in office
1:35 p.m.:
The Bayern coach makes a detailed statement about the injury situation. The topic is close to him: “It has an impact. We felt that before the Darmstadt game. There was obviously a different quality in the training, a different tension, a completely different group dynamic. We wanted to create a new competitive situation with the winter transfers. There was only one situation all season where we had to tell a licensed player that he wasn't in the squad. At least 75 percent of the games we left places on the bench. Of course it plays a role in the course of the season. Compared to the first leg against Arsenal, we lose two wingers. Leroy drags himself through the season in pain for the team. Unfortunately, there was never any natural competition.”
There was only one situation all season where we had to tell a licensed player that he wasn't in the squad.
Thomas Tuchel on FC Bayern's ongoing injury woes
1:31 p.m
.: “Matta
(de Ligt, editor)
was never number four in my thoughts. It's all about timing. The position is simply the most competitive. I didn't do much except set it up. We need Matta in top form tomorrow. He has to deliver that,” Tuchel demands of his central defender.
1:29 p.m.:
“We have a small advantage if we look at the experience. We have players who have already won the competition. But that doesn't have to be an advantage. We have this one crucial game to take the next step. We are determined to put everything we have on the table to progress in this wonderful competition,” said Tuchel.
Pavlovic probably on the bench: Tuchel ponders Arsenal line-up
1:26 p.m.:
Tuchel reflects on the line-up: “Aleks
(Pavlovic, editor's note)
has no rhythm since the Darmstadt game. The tendency is for us to have him in the squad. I don't think we will tear the two
(Goretzka and Laimer, editor's note
) apart after the first leg. But it’s good to have Aleks.”
Regarding the full-back duel Mazraoui against Guerreiro (Davies is suspended), the coach said: “We will make the decision after the final training session this evening. Then I have to talk to Nous and see how he's doing. He hasn't had a normal rhythm at all for the last ten weeks. Illness, injury, month of fasting.”
Tuchel asks Bayern fans for help against Arsenal
1:25 p.m.:
“We need the same dedication and effort as a team again. Also the tactical discipline. We probably even need a little more,” Tuchel demands of his team and especially calls on the fans. “Especially in our personnel situation, it will be extremely important tomorrow that every fan comes with the willingness to push and help. We need the support tomorrow.”
1:24 p.m.:
Can Leroy Sané and Manuel Neuer play against Arsenal? “Manu can play, Leroy can play, but he has to grit his teeth, like he has in the last few weeks. As long as it’s possible,” said Tuchel. The left foot is not pain-free.
Leroy can play, but he has to grit his teeth, like he has in the last few weeks.
Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel about his ailing but indispensable winger
1.20 p.m.: That's it from Harry Kane, now comes Thomas Tuchel.
1:18 p.m.:
Kane, who has still not won a major title as a player, says about a possible titleless season with Bayern: “Every player wants to win titles. But it is a process. You want to improve every season, push yourself every season. From a club perspective it would be a bad season, we are expected to win titles. That would be our job next season to turn that around. But it can still be a great season if we win the Champions League title,” says Kane. It's remarkable that he's already looking ahead to next season - so he still has a lot planned for FC Bayern.
1:16 p.m.:
Kane is asked about the Nagelsmann rumors - and, as expected, he doesn't get much out of it: "I don't know him very well. I don't know what will happen. Thomas is here until the end of the season, the club has to find the best solution. We show Thomas our full respect and are very motivated to finish the season with him.”
“Try to make the difference”: Kane makes a personal declaration of war on Arsenal
1.15 p.m.:
Kane's personal declaration of war on Arsenal: “The game against Arsenal was always one of the biggest games of my season. I've always felt the fire inside me before. You don't lose that either. You always want to prove yourself. I’m trying to make a difference tomorrow.”
I'm trying to make the difference tomorrow.
Harry Kane is motivated to the core against his long-time city rivals Arsenal FC
1:13 p.m.:
Kane continues on the injury plight: “There were a lot of injuries. Maybe the most I've experienced in a club so far. The season is long, we train hard and play every few days. The schedule is tight. We have to find solutions, luck wasn’t on our side.”
1:11 p.m.:
Kane describes the renewed injuries to Kingsley Coman and Serge Gnabry as “very disappointing. You have had many injuries. It's not easy to see teammates like that. I don't know what Leroy Sané is doing. We'll see that tomorrow. But it doesn't matter who I play with. My game is my game. No matter who played during the season, they had their influence. It doesn't matter who plays tomorrow. We are ready and focused. We also fight for the injured players.”
1:07 p.m.:
“We have to learn from the first leg. We defended very well and made it difficult for them. Tomorrow we will have the energy of the fans behind us. At home we can control possession better and create chances,” says Kane optimistically about the game.
1:06 p.m.:
“At this stage of my career, people expect something from me. Goals, assists, helping the team. “I also expect a lot from myself,” the striker explains.
Kane raves about Munich and FC Bayern: “I like it a lot”
1:04 p.m.:
Kane feels comfortable in Munich, as he emphasizes. “The Bundesliga has been a great experience for me so far. There are strong clubs here. Leverkusen had a fantastic season. We want to finish second in the league. I really enjoy playing here.”
1:02 p.m.:
Kane encourages FC Bayern to take on Arsenal: “We have a lot of experience in the team. It's no surprise that the club aims to win the Champions League every season. We want to show more on the pitch and defend better. It will be a special atmosphere. We have the belief within ourselves that we can achieve something tomorrow.”
1:01 p.m.:
“It was a disappointing season,” says Harry Kane and congratulates Leverkusen on the title. “We just didn’t reach our level as a team. We have a great opportunity to keep the season alive tomorrow. We want to make the fans happy and of course achieve something.”
The press conference begins.
Update from April 16th, 12:55 p.m.:
Thomas Tuchel and Harry Kane are in the Allianz Arena, where FC Bayern press conferences are held before Champions League home games. It's about to start, first with the English national team captain.
First report from April 16th:
Munich - The bosses of FC Bayern appeal to the long-lost “Mia san mia”, superstar Harry Kane dreams loudly about “his” Wembley final, and Thomas Müller swears everyone in for a magical night.
“It’s about the crown of European club football,” said the original Bavarian and promised Arsenal FC: “It will crackle in Munich on Wednesday. These evenings, this pressure, this special atmosphere in the Allianz Arena - I’m looking forward to it!”
Will Tuchel pull off a farewell prank? Champions League showdown promises excitement
A coup in the quarter-final second leg of the Champions League against the suddenly ailing Gunners should bring the record champions a big step closer to the longed-for final on June 1st in the London football temple - he seems to have long been on the home stretch when it comes to looking for a coach.
Sky reported “advanced discussions” with ex-coach Julian Nagelsmann, whom the DFB would like to retain until 2026. But before the next “Game of the Year” even this key personality takes a back seat for a few days.
Tuchel puts everything on one card: FC Bayern wants to preserve their last chance for the title
“We will be ready!” said current coach Thomas Tuchel, despite all the personnel problems with the injuries to Serge Gnabry and Kingsley Coman and the suspension of Alphonso Davies. “Together with the fans,” said President Herbert Hainer, electrified, before the cracker (9 p.m./TV information can be found here), “everything is possible.”
The championship has been gone for good since Sunday, but it's not just now that Tuchel has put everything on one card. He has already made it clear several times that he absolutely wants to go to the final at Wembley and that he subordinates everything to this goal. The coach demands 100 percent focus on the premier class - and what 100 percent focused Bayern are still capable of has become clear from time to time despite the mixed season.
In addition to Thomas Tuchel, Harry Kane will also answer questions at the press conference. We'll be there live from 1 p.m.
(epp/SID)