Tuchel gives update on Goretzka and Upamecano, confirms plan to start Kimmich

Ahead of the upcoming match against Galatasaray, Bayern Munich coach Thomas Tuchel gave an update on Leon Goretzka and Dayot Upamecano, who recently returned from injury, and confirmed his intention to start Joshua Kimmich.

Leon Goretzka and Dayot Upamecano both returned from injury to start Bayern Munich’s 4-0 win over Borussia Dortmund on Saturday.

And Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel expects both to be ready to start again in the Champions League against Galatasaray on Wednesday night if called upon.

“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 told reporters at his pre-match press conference, before confirming that Raphael Guerreiro and Matthijs de Ligt will be Bayern’s only absentees.

Due to suspension, Joshua Kimmich missed Saturday’s win over Borussia Dortmund and will also be out against Heidenheim this weekend.

As a result, there has been speculation as to whether Tuchel could consider benching Kimmich against Galatasaray and let Konrad Laimer and Leon Goretzka partner up in midfield, as they did in Dortmund.

However, Tuchel made it clear at his pre-match press conference that he has no plans to do so.

“‘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,” stressed Tuchel.

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