Tuchel gives squad update ahead of Dortmund, plays down Boateng links
Ahead of Bayern Munich's clash with Borussia Dortmund on Saturday, Thomas Tuchel gave an update on his squad and dismissed suggestions that a return for Jerome Boateng is being reconsidered.
Bayern Munich are sweating over the fitness of Dayot Upamecano (thigh) and Leon Goretzka (hand) ahead of Saturday's Der Klassiker clash with Borussia Dortmund.
With Matthijs de Ligt ruled out with a knee injury and Joshua Kimmich suspended, Upamecano and Goretzka would be welcome additions to coach Thomas Tuchel's squad.
On the day before the match, however, it is unclear whether the duo will be fit enough to feature following their recent injuries.
"The decision hasn't been made yet, we have to make it with the players and the doctors. Whether Dayot Upamecano and Leon Goretzka will start is still open," Tuchel told reporters.
Asked about the situation in central defense, Tuchel said:
"If 'Upa' can't play, then Leon will. If Leon can't play, then 'Upa' will. We'll have to wait and see. We saw with Serge Gnabry that a splint can be quite restrictive. Leon has been wearing a splint for a few days. Regardless of the importance of the match, we've got to think about the season as a whole. We have to be smart and weigh everything up. We'll make the decision late on."
Following the knee injury suffered by Matthijs de Ligt in Wednesday's shock 2-1 DFB-Pokal defeat at Saarbrücken, reports emerged that Bayern could reconsider bringing in Jerome Boateng to bolster their fragile defense.
However, according to Tuchel, this is not a topic of discussion at the club at the moment.
"Not at the moment, there are no considerations," he said when asked about the Boteng rumors.
"We are taking care of 'Upa' and hope that he will be back on the pitch soon. The loss of de Ligt is very bitter."