Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel is hoping for no lasting stress with Munich veteran Thomas Müller after putting the former world champion on the bench in both quarter-finals of the Champions League.
“I hope that our relationship is so open and honest and appreciative that it can withstand that. It’s completely clear that he doesn’t like that. It’s also clear that I don’t like that, neither explaining it to him beforehand nor afterwards “try to cheer him up,” said coach Thomas Tuchel about the inner workings of the team before the Bundesliga guest game on Saturday (6.30 p.m./Sky) at 1. FC Union Berlin.
What should he say to Müller, who is no longer an automatic candidate for the starting eleven, the day after? Nothing I have to say to him will make him happy. It’s then about trusting that our relationship is strong enough and can handle it,” explained Tuchel, who had no place for Müller in the offensive against Arsenal. The veteran will therefore have to wait for his 150th appearance in the premier class of football.
Tuchel: Müller is “professional enough”
He makes sporting decisions, it’s “nothing personal,” emphasized Tuchel. “This is in no way intended to be a devaluation of his performance and his status. He is professional enough to be able to cope with this again and again.” Tuchel remarked that you could see how professional it was in the training of the reservists the next day. Müller puts his foot down and has fun. “Then he also knows why it is the career he has.”
Müller is likely to play his anniversary game in the Champions League anyway. Tuchel pointed out on the sidelines of the second leg against Arsenal on Wednesday that there were still two games left in the semi-final. But perhaps after the duels against Real Madrid there will be a third possibility: the final at Wembley on June 1st.
