Bayern Munich coach Thomas Tuchel took his squad to the pitch at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium and wanted to give his boys a talk about the magnitude of what they are about to attempt to do — take down Real Madrid on their own turf.
“It wasn’t a declaration — I felt the need to say something again. We had an extra day to prepare, and we made the most of it. One topic was that we also enjoy a day like today. The tactical meetings are of course very much characterised by content. It’s important to connect with your inner child and realise that we all dreamed of being in games like this as a child. It won’t stop us from giving it our all tomorrow,” Tuchel said (as captured by @iMiaSanMia). “All the prep has been about content. We don’t talk about the legend. It’s one of the most difficult stadiums to win in, but it’s not impossible. We had a very good first leg, but unfortunately didn’t win. Given they’re at home, it’s maybe at 51 percent for Real. When you meet Emilio Butragueño the day before a game like this and he recognizes you, it’s special. They’re obviously one of the biggest clubs in the world. We’re also a big club in Europe. That’s why it’s a great match-up. We’re in the semifinal to reach the final. We’re playing tomorrow to get to Wembley and nothing else.
“I think it could be a wave-like game with different phases. Both teams will also have to endure some suffering at times. Both teams are also extremely strong at keeping the ball. Both teams are very strong in quick transition play. I think it will be a very complex game with different phases. In the phases where you have the momentum, you need luck and to be clinical.”
In addressing some of the contested spots in his lineup, Tuchel was very open.
“At the moment, Eric Dier and Matthijs de Ligt are ahead (of Upamecano and Kim). They deserve to continue playing together. Matthijs has given the green light and can play tomorrow,” said Tuchel. “We will experience different phases as to who sets the rhythm. It will alternate in waves. We need the possession phase to recover and hurt the opposition. But we have to protect ourselves very well against Real’s counter-attacking play. It’s the players’ game. It will be very important to play as a team. We need a lot of solidarity, we need belief and we have to work for it. Real play a bit more offensively in home games. The starting position is clear, the winner goes to Wembley, and we want to be the winner.”
Harry Kane figures to play a massive role for Bayern Munich and Tuchel has enjoy every moment of working with the Englishman.
“He’s a great character. He was captain of Tottenham and is the captain of England. He’s shown everything we’d hoped from him and fully lived up to the expectations. He’ll be important again tomorrow,” Tuchel noted.
One player Tuchel will keep an eye on is Toni Kroos, who did a fantastic job against the Bavarians in the opening leg.
“Toni has been a key player for many years. You can’t praise that highly enough. He handles the pressure effortlessly. He dominates the rhythm of the game. We’re prepared for that and hope that we’re the grain of sand in his passing machine. But we’re not just playing against Toni, we’re playing against the whole team, which is very well drilled. The game is very multi-faceted, so the task is very big,” said Tuchel.
When asked if he was gauging this season’s success based on winning the Champions League, the manager gave a very pragmatic response.
“If you as a coach need to win the Champions League in order to judge your own work as successful, then you’ll be totally unhappy. We’ll do everything we can. Ultimately, you’re always measured by results at clubs like this. We want to take the decisive step to the final,” Tuchel said.
Finally, when asked about two German teams participating in the German final, Tuchel said that is did mean…something.
“It’s a big boost for German football (to have two teams in the semifinals). Obviously you also need some luck over the course of the competition. I wouldn’t draw too many conclusions from it, but it’s a big boost,” Tuchel said.
Looking for more thoughts and analysis of the massive Bayern Munich vs. Real Madrid match in the Champions League? Then check out our Bavarian Podcast Works — Preview Show where we breakdown everything from the excitement you might (or might not) be feeling to Thomas Tuchel’s potential lineup to a prediction on the game. You can get the podcast on Spotify or below: