Munich, Germany
Bayern Munich, the reigning champions, are grappling with an expanding injury list ahead of their crucial Champions League match against Galatasaray on Tuesday. Coach Thomas Tuchel, however, remains resolute in his determination to secure a victory and maintain their position at the summit of Group A.
The Bavarians find themselves without several key players, including central defender Dayot Upamecano, midfielders Raphael Guerreiro, and Leon Goretzka, along with the ongoing absence of star goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who is diligently working on his comeback.
Goretzka’s situation took a sudden turn when he underwent surgery for a broken hand on Sunday, an injury he sustained during Saturday’s 3-1 victory over Mainz 05. Despite these setbacks, Tuchel remains optimistic about his squad’s prospects.
In a press conference held on Monday, Tuchel confirmed that Morocco’s defender, Noussair Mazraoui, who had been nursing an injury from international duty, has traveled with the squad and is expected to be fit for the upcoming clash. Tuchel remarked, “We have sped up recovery and maybe risked a bit in the past days. So he fully took part in training today, and if there’s no reaction overnight, then I think he can play.”
Mazraoui made headlines for a different reason just days ago when he posted on social media about the Israel-Hamas conflict. However, Bayern Munich has opted not to take any disciplinary action regarding this matter.
Despite the challenges posed by the injuries, Bayern Munich currently tops Group A with six points from two games, while Galatasaray follows closely in second place with four points. The German giants are looking to extend their impressive record of going 36 Champions League group stage matches without a loss, with 33 wins and three draws.
As they gear up for their encounter with Galatasaray, Coach Tuchel remains focused on their ultimate goal, saying, “We feel ready to win a very difficult game tomorrow. This competition needs to be played step by step. We feel strong enough to win the group, and that’s our goal.”
When asked to compare his squad with other title contenders, Tuchel responded, “It makes no sense to compare our squad with that of teams that are not in our group.” It’s a testament to their commitment to securing their position in the competition.
It’s worth noting that earlier in the season, Tuchel had called for reinforcements, expressing concerns about the depth of the Bayern squad. These injury challenges only emphasize the importance of bolstering their roster.
Despite the hurdles, Bayern Munich is determined to navigate through the adversity and continue their Champions League campaign on a path to further glory.
