Tuchel confirms de Ligt is fit to face Real Madrid

Bayern Munich have received a major boost ahead of Tuesday's Champions League semifinal return leg against Real Madrid, with Matthijs de Ligt fit and available to play.

The Dutchman, who missed the first leg with a knee injury, returned to training on Sunday and is ready to play, Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel confirmed at his pre-match press conference on Monday.

"At the moment, Eric Dier and Matthijs de Ligt are in the lead. They deserve to continue playing together. Matthijs has given the green light and will play tomorrow," said Tuchel.

On his expectations for the game and what will be crucial if his team is to progress to the final after a 2-2 draw in the first leg at home, Tuchel said:

"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.

“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.”