At the PK: Tuchel solves goalkeeper riddle before duel with RB Leipzig - and announces failure in attack

FC Bayern will face RB Leipzig on Saturday evening, and the Munich team cannot afford to slip up. On Friday, Thomas Tuchel will talk about the topics surrounding the match at the matchday press conference.

• The thrilling title race in the Bundesliga is coming to a head: FC Bayern will face RB Leipzig on Saturday evening.
• Thomas Tuchel gave a PK before the Leipzig duel: He spoke about his personnel, most recently Yann Sommer had been absent.
• The coach commented on the upcoming opponent: He also ennobled his defender Joao Cancelo.

Update, 14:03 CET: After this question, the press conference is over, tomorrow at 18:30 CET it continues with the last home game of the season against RB Leipzig.

Update, 14:03 p.m.: Manchester City threw Bayern out of the Champions League in the quarter-finals, and now the English have sovereignly moved into the final against Real Madrid. Thomas Tuchel commented on this when asked. "I didn't need it, but it was a confirmation that we fought at a high level with ManCity. I still think we've had them on the hook twice and we've also won statistics in the game – whether it's sprints, possession or intense runs – which not many teams can do. This was a demonstration of their strength and clarity. (...) We don't have to be ashamed of the fact that we were eliminated."

FC-Bayern-PK: Tuchel does not let himself be seen in the squad planning - "Nice try"

Update, 14:00 p.m.: Tuchel is asked about the planning of the squad, explicitly about a "six-man edge". To which the coach replies with a laugh: "Nice try, good try. But we won't make the squad planning public, not even the supposed wishes of the coach. I have to disappoint you."

Update, 13:58 p.m.: Arjen Robben paid a visit to FC Bayern on Friday, where he also spoke to Tuchel. "I tried to convince him for tomorrow. He wasn't the problem, the DFL is the problem, because he's not registered. We will have a serious word with Kathleen Krüger (team manager, note) about why there is not a loophole. It's nice that he's here. Just the aura, his clarity and mental strength, the hunger, but also the modesty - that's very impressive. That's why it's more than welcome. Every footballer can take a leaf out of his book," Tuchel ennobled the ex-Bayern professional.

Update, 13:55 p.m.: How does Tuchel see Benjamin Pavard and where does he see his best position - in central defence or as a full-back? "I'm very happy to coach him. He is strong, consistent, solid and has a high level. He can play both on the outside and inside, I can also understand that he likes to play as a central defender. But I think his best position is in the back three," Tuchel said of the Frenchman. The 27-year-old's confidence also impresses the coach, but without revealing where Pavard will play tomorrow.

Thomas Tuchel raves about Joao Cancelo at PK: 'I love him'

Update, 13:51 p.m.: How Tuchel adjusts his team to Dominik Szoboszlai, a Hungarian journalist wants to know. "We will pay special attention to him, we expect him in the starting line-up. His technical skills are very high, like Dani Olmo's. (...) Szoboszlai is a player who sets up goals and creates dangerous scenes. But we have to watch out for all the strikers," Tuchel answers the question in detail.

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Update, 13:48 p.m.: Will Leon Goretzka start against Leipzig? "Leon always has chances to play, but last time we opted for the more attacking option. We opted for Thomas Müller against Schalke – because of the many inquiries (laughs). Also because Thomas appears more often in the penalty area than Ryan Gravenberch. What's good is the way Leon is currently training. Ryan and Leon haven't been able to play recently, so we have to make a tactical and personnel decision. But we're not going to reveal them today."

Update, 13:45 p.m.: What about Joao Cancelo's future? "We haven't had the conversation yet, but I have the impression that he feels very comfortable. In the end, however, all parties are involved in a loan transaction. This has not yet been decided and has not yet been discussed. But I love him, his qualities and his desire to train is unique. Of course, I think he has room to become part of the team, but from his heart and his desire and his potential, it's absolutely top," said Tuchel.

Thomas Tuchel and his Bayern team are facing an important game, and they need a win against Leipzig. © Frank Hoermann/imago

FC Bayern press conference live today: Tuchel talks about personnel and clarifies goalkeeper question

Update, 13:42 p.m.: What about the staff? "Lucas and Manu are missing, Phonzie is missing, of course. Choupo can't make it for tomorrow either. Everyone else has been back in training and is fully operational," he said. This means that nothing stands in the way of Yann Sommer playing, and Josip Stanisic should also be back in the squad.

Update, 13:39 p.m.: How does Tuchel plan with Lucas Hernández? "I can't wait for him to be on the pitch. It's very impressive every day how professionally he does it. And also how he is there: he always has a smile on his face, is always positive. He infects others with his personality, even if he remains in a modest situation for many months. For me, he's a clear leader," said the coach.

Update, 13:37 p.m.: It would be the first German championship for Tuchel. Would he have a problem with possibly celebrating them on the couch? "I wouldn't have a problem at all with how that happens. The main thing is that it happens."

FC-Bayern-PK in the live ticker: Tuchel warns of "difficult opponent" Leipzig

Update, 13:35 p.m.: What's the route against Leipzig? "We know Leipzig's strengths, the style is clear. There are four switchers, usually with two forwards and two tens. It's extremely important if we want to control the game, be careful and prevent the counterattacks. If we attack aggressively in the last zone, we have to protect ourselves and close spaces before counterattacks occur." Tuchel relies on "hard work from the back" paired with a good occupation of the penalty area - "we have to get the mix right".

Update, 13:33 p.m.: The PK starts with the question of the final spurt of the championship and the possible nervousness of the team. "It's not routine for us, it may look like it because of the number of titles, but the standings are not routine. The recipe is to focus on what we can influence. Our attitude, our passion but also our mood. We have a tough opponent in front of us," Tuchel replied. "For us, the only thing that counts is winning tomorrow," he adds.

Update, 13:25 p.m.: In a few minutes, Thomas Tuchel will step up to the microphone, and at the media round before the Leipzig game, the Bayern coach will answer questions from the press.

Update from May 19, 13:05 p.m.: About half an hour left until the start of the press conference with Thomas Tuchel. Will the coach also comment on the goalkeeper question? Most recently, Yann Sommer was absent from training with gastrointestinal problems, whether he will be fit, the head coach will probably reveal from 13.30 p.m.

FC Bayern PK live today: Tuchel speaks ahead of Saturday's top match against Leipzig

First report from 19 May:
Munich – The showdown of the championship battle in the Bundesliga could be decided as early as this weekend. To do so, FC Bayern Munich would have to win their match against RB Leipzig and BVB would have to lose in Augsburg on Sunday, currently only one point separates the two title contenders. But for that, the record champions would first have to crack the Saxons.

FC Bayern press conference with Thomas Tuchel today in the live ticker: Who is out for the record champions?

Leipzig are currently only eight points behind Bayern in third place and want to qualify for the Champions League with a victory, even if this could possibly be achieved in another way. Nevertheless, Marco Rose's team is in a good mood - they have won the last three games - and could be dangerous for the Munich team.

Bayern are also going into the top game with three wins in a row. With which personnel, Thomas Tuchel will probably announce during the press round. Currently, the Munich team has to cope with some failures. Regular goalkeeper Yann Sommer has not trained recently, his use seems to be questionable. Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (knee joint problems), Alphonso Davies (muscle bundle injury) and Josip Stanisic (recovery training after adductor injury) are also likely to be absent alongside the two long-term injured Manuel Neuer and Lucas Hernández.

FC Bayern: PK with Thomas Tuchel in the live ticker – RB Leipzig could heat up title race

So Bayern fans will be hoping that Tuchel doesn't have any more bad news to announce on Friday afternoon. Further failures in the final spurt could be decisive, Bayern should not allow themselves any further slip-ups at this stage of the season, otherwise Borussia Dortmund could pass them as early as Sunday. BVB, on the other hand, will have to keep their fingers crossed for Leipzig on Saturday, even a draw would fundamentally change the starting position in the title race. (ajr)