Thomas Tuchel calls for bravery ahead of Bayern Munich’s game against Manchester City

Thomas Tuchel has called for his Bayern Munich side to show bravery in the first leg of their Champions League Quarter-final against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday night in a colossal European encounter.

Talking after the Rekordmeister picked up another three points against Freiburg in the Bundesliga, the 49-year-old explained what Bayern need to do to have any chance of beating City.

“We have to be brave,” said Tuchel. “We have to believe in ourselves, be smart, have tactical solutions and go to the limit of our physical efforts.”

Tuchel is fully aware of the blue side of Manchester’s threats due to his recent managerial spell in England with Chelsea: “City have been playing at an absolute top form for weeks.”

Pep Guardiola’s side are now 12 games unbeaten in all competitions after their recent 4-1 win over Southampton, meaning they will go into the clash brimming with confidence. 

The English side are still looking for their first Champions League trophy, and despite being in the thick of a Premier League title race with Arsenal will have full focus on Tuesday night’s clash.

The side’s record against each other in the competition is even at three wins each. 

Tuchel’s record against Guardiola was one of the reasons why the Rekordmeister brought him in to replace Julian Nagelsmann last month, as the German beat his Spanish counterpart in the 2021 Champions League final. 

After his Bayern side stayed top of the Bundesliga with a 1-0 win away to Freiburg, the former Borussia Dortmund coach reiterated how important it was to recover quickly.

“We need to regenerate and hope to have everyone fit,” added Tuchel.

Bayern’s top goal scorer in all competitions this season, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, missed the Freiburg victory due to a knee injury and is a doubt for the Champions League match

Long term absentees Lucas Hernandez, Mathys Tel and Manuel Neuer will definitely miss the tie.

GGFN | Stuart McCracken

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