Thomas Tuchel, Bayern Munich’s coach, sought to shift the spotlight onto Real Madrid’s home advantage ahead of the Champions League semi-final second leg between the sides. Tuchel avoided embellishing Real Madrid’s status in the competition to his players, opting instead for a pragmatic approach.
As per Mundo Deportivo, Tuchel said, “we don’t dwell on Real Madrid’s aura. We know playing at the Santiago Bernabéu is tough but not insurmountable. Real Madrid has a 51% chance of winning at home.”
While acknowledging the formidable reputation of Real Madrid, Tuchel emphasized Bayern’s strong performance in the first leg and expressed both honour and a feeling of responsibility in facing such a prestigious club.
“It’s an honour to play against Real Madrid, one of the world’s most important clubs. This semi-final is both a gift and an obligation.”
Discussing tactical strategies, Tuchel highlighted the importance of possession and neutralizing key players like Toni Kroos and Vinícius Junior. Despite recognizing the challenge posed by Vinícius, Tuchel maintained confidence in Bayern’s ability to counteract Real Madrid’s strengths.
In reflecting on Bayern’s season, Tuchel prioritized domestic league and cup performances over European success. “If we need to win the Champions League to consider our season successful, then we won’t be satisfied. Our focus is on our performance in the Bundesliga and the DFB-Pokal which didn’t go as expected,” the German concluded.
