Bayern open their Wembley campaign with a “striking” classic against Manchester United. The coach is missing on the sidelines. An Englishman shows the way to his “dream”.
Thomas Tuchel suspects that it will be a very difficult evening of football – at least for him. The FC Bayern coach, who is always so impulsive in the coaching zone, is forced to helplessly cheer in a box at the Allianz Arena during the Champions League classic against Manchester United on Wednesday (9 p.m./DAZN). “It’s not nice that I’m not on the sidelines,” groaned the 50-year-old.
A legacy forces Tuchel into the role of spectator: after a yellow-red card for complaining and complaining in the quarter-final against Manchester City, the 50-year-old is banned from the Champions League restart. “I’m trying to inject a bit of energy from the stands,” announced Tuchel. He is not allowed into the dressing room either before kick-off or during half-time in this “striking, big game at the start”. His assistants Zsolt Löw and Anthony Barry take direct command of the team. “We have a strong coaching team,” said Tuchel, full of confidence in his most important everyday helpers.
Kane wants the home final at Wembley
Even Tuchel’s limited starting contribution does not change Bayern’s goal for the 27th premier class participation. FC Bayern’s dream place is Wembley. And that applies even more to Harry Kane. England’s team captain called it “a dream” to be able to play a home final on June 1, 2024, “in London, in my stadium as a national player,” after his 100 million euro move from Tottenham Hotspur to the German record champions. The 30-year-old wants to give everything for it: “Winning the Champions League is a big goal, of course. It is the biggest competition in Europe.”
After three quarter-final defeats in a row, the expectations, but also the pressure to succeed, are huge for the three-time premier class champion. Tuchel also knows that: “It is one of the most difficult competitions – but also one of the most beautiful.”
United expert Kane warns
For the Munich starting specialists, who are aiming for their 20th opening success (!) in Europe’s premier class, the supposedly toughest group opponent (alongside FC Copenhagen and Galatasaray Istanbul) could well be a welcome one. Erik ten Hag, coach of the Bayern amateurs from 2013 to 2015, made a terrible false start in the Premier League with the Red Devils after the 3-1 defeat against Brighton at the weekend. The Dutchman has a lot of problems to deal with.
Nevertheless, United expert Kane warned: “Manchester had a weak start to the season, but that can also be dangerous. But we want to dictate the game.” The rivalry is great, the epic finale of 1999 resonates at every reunion. “You can never be sure against Manchester United,” warned former Chelsea coach Tuchel. He fears the English team’s “extremely dangerous offensive switching game”: “We must never switch off!”
Of course, Tuchel still makes the lineup. And he indicated that Jamal Musiala will start after his short comeback against Leverkusen: “Jamal is ready for 60 to 75 minutes.” That could mean a bench spot for Thomas Müller – or not. The 34-year-old could celebrate his 100th victory in his 143rd Champions League game.
After Joshua Kimmich’s final training session, there were no objections from the medical department to a 90-minute stint. The recently missing winger Kingsley Coman returns to the squad. New signing Raphaël Guerreiro isn’t ready yet.
The expected lineups:
Bayern Munich: Ulreich – Laimer, Upamecano, Kim, Davies – Kimmich, Goretzka – Sané, Müller, Musiala – Kane
Manchester United: Onana – Diogo Dalot, Lindelöf, Martinez, Reguilon – Casemiro – Mount, Eriksen – Bruno Fernandes – Höjlund, Rashford
Referee: Glenn Nyberg (Sweden)
Source: Stern
I am Pierce Boyd, a driven and ambitious professional working in the news industry. I have been writing for 24 Hours Worlds for over five years, specializing in sports section coverage. During my tenure at the publication, I have built an impressive portfolio of articles that has earned me a reputation as an experienced journalist and content creator.
