Bayern Munich's Leon Goretzka and Dayot Upamecano set for Champions League clash
- Rob Fleming
- 7 November 2023
Bayern Munich's dynamic duo, Leon Goretzka and Dayot Upamecano, made a triumphant return from injury as they fuelled their team's win against Borussia Dortmund last Saturday.
The duo's resurgence has Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel brimming with confidence as he looks ahead to their upcoming Champions League showdown against Galatasaray at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday night.
"I hope that Dayot Upamecano and Leon Goretzka will be options for the starting eleven again. They both came out of the last game feeling good. Subject to the final training session, I assume that both will be able to play," Tuchel revealed in his pre-match press conference. He also confirmed that Raphael Guerreiro and Matthijs de Ligt would be the only absentees for this critical encounter.
The absence of Joshua Kimmich, sidelined due to suspension following the Borussia Dortmund clash, has sparked speculation about potential changes in the midfield line-up for the Galatasaray match. Some pundits and fans wondered if Tuchel would opt to bench Kimmich, allowing Konrad Laimer and Leon Goretzka to reprise their partnership in the heart of the team, as they did against Dortmund.
However, Tuchel promptly quashed any such notions during his pre-match press conference, underlining Kimmich's indispensable role in the squad. "'Jo' is a regular starter and a key figure in our team. I plan for him to play tomorrow. Of course, we will have to think about how to compensate for his absence again next Saturday. 'Jo' will be able to show his qualities and, if there are no problems, he will play tomorrow," Tuchel asserted, putting to rest any doubts about Kimmich's involvement.
As Bayern's Champions League campaign unfolds, the return of Goretzka and Upamecano from injury augurs well for the team. Their presence in the starting line-up provides the necessary strength and depth as they look to advance further in the tournament.
