Tuchel says title not so realistic after Bayern’s horror week
BAYERN MUNICH coach Thomas Tuchel said winning this season’s Bundesliga title was “not so realistic right now” after a loss yesterday which left Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen eight points clear at the top.
The 3-2 defeat at lowly Bochum was Bayern’s third reverse in a row, after a 3-0 thumping by Alonso’s league leaders the previous weekend and a 1-0 midweek loss at Lazio in the Champions League.
The German champions have not lost three matches in a row since 2015, a run which included semifinal defeats to Barcelona in the Champions League and Borussia Dortmund in the German Cup.
Asked if his job was in danger, Tuchel said “there is no point worrying about it”.
Bayern CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen told reporters Tuchel would “of course” be in the dugout against Leipzig on Sunday (Feb 25).
“I don’t believe in making these huge statements of support for the coach. I know what people want to hear, but these oaths of allegiance can be over after a week.
“That’s why I’m saying it my way. (Tuchel’s firing) is not an issue we’re considering at the moment. We have to concentrate on the next few games.”
Tuchel said his side would continue to fight to close the eight-point gap with Leverkusen with 12 games remaining.
“Last season we believed right until the end and it worked out, so we will do that again,” he said.
Bayern midfielder Leon Goretzka, who has never not won the league title since moving to
Munich in 2018, told DAZN “it is difficult to say yes” when asked if his side could still win the Bundesliga.
“Everything speaks against us at the moment. But it’s the wrong question to ask ourselves.
“We need to find our game back – and win our matches.”
Earlier on Sunday, Freiburg forward Michael Gregoritsch scored in the last minute to snatch his side a 3-3 draw with Eintracht Frankfurt.
A frustrated Trapp told DAZN “we’re shooting ourselves in the foot”.
“It went back and forth, which is a shame for us. We could have taken more out of it.”
The point moves Frankfurt four clear of Werder Bremen in sixth-place, the last European spot. – AFP