As of: April 5, 2024, 4:28 p.m
By: Florian Schimak, Vinzent Tschirpke, Philipp Kessler
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FC Bayern is plagued by injuries. Coach Thomas Tuchel is also plagued by personnel concerns in front of Heidenheim and Arsenal.
Munich – Thomas Tuchel (50) delivered the bad news right at the start. “It doesn’t look good,” said the coach at the press conference on Friday about FC Bayern’s injury list.
Specifically, this meant: Manuel Neuer (38, torn muscle fiber), Leroy Sané (28, pubic bone), Kingsley Coman (27, muscle problems), Aleksandar Pavlovic (19, infection) and Noussair Mazraoui (26, sick).
Bayern line-up in Heidenheim: Tuchel has to do without five stars
In addition to the long-term injured Bouna Sarr (32, torn cruciate ligament) and Sacha Boey (23, torn muscle bundle), the five regular regular players will all be missing from the away game in Heidenheim on Saturday (3:30 p.m. in the live ticker) - but not to join them before the duel to give Arsenal a break.
“The problem is that none of the five will be spared for Tuesday, but they are not currently in the squad because it is not possible,” explained Tuchel with a worried expression in the Munich press room. After all, the Bundesliga game for the promoted team is also a benchmark for the important quarter-final first leg in the Champions League at Arsenal FC in London on Tuesday (9 p.m., Prime Video).
How does Thomas Tuchel line up against Heidenheim? The Bayern coach has to replace five stars. © IMAGO / Sven Simon
Personnel alarm at FC Bayern: How does Tuchel line up in Heidenheim?
One statement is particularly worrying: “Therefore a big question mark for the future. There is no tendency, every day and every minute counts. I couldn’t say that any of these five aren’t in the squad today but will be there on Tuesday.”
This means: The final decision as to which professional will travel to London will not be made until Monday. Before that, however, there is the tricky task with the eleventh in the table, who have already annoyed some top teams this season and scored points both against BVB (2:2) and in Stuttgart (3:3). “It is important to win and show grit,” warned Tuchel and called for a concentrated performance from his team.
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Bayern line-up against Heidenheim: Tuchel could rebuild the defense
“On Saturday the classic challenge of David versus Goliath awaits us. Heidenheim has absolutely nothing to lose. Of course we attach great importance to the game after next,” explained the coach, but: “The best preparation for the game after next is the next game.”
Despite the many injuries, there are also bright spots on Säbener Straße. Raphael Guerreiro (30) returns to the squad in time and could move into midfield instead of Konrad Laimer (26). Tuchel can also draw on full potential in central defense; Dayot Upamecano (25), with his pace, would be available as an alternative to Matthijs de Ligt (24) against Heidenheim's strong counterattacks. Minjae Kim (27) could also get preference over Eric Dier (30).
And Jamal Musiala (21), who recently seemed slightly outplayed, should definitely play: “He doesn’t need a break, he’s had a week’s break.”
FC Bayern's expected line-up at 1. FC Heidenheim
Ulreich – Kimmich, Upamecano, Kim, Davies – Goretzka, Laimer – Gnabry, Müller, Musiala – Kane
Sven Ulreich will definitely be in goal. Joshua Kimmich is expected to play right-back again and the double six will consist of Leon Goretzka and Konrad Laimer. It will be exciting to see whether Serge Gnabry or Mathys Tel can start from the start.
After all: Harry Kane is fit and no longer has any problems after his ankle injury.
(vt, pk, smk)