Tuchel hoping to echo Chelsea run

manager Thomas Tuchel will seek to echo the spirit of 2021’s Champions League-winning run with Chelsea in tomorrow’s home quarterfinal second leg against Arsenal.

Bayern put aside their domestic struggles in the first leg, returning from London with a 2-2 draw, another Harry Kane goal against his old foes and the knowledge victory in Germany will see them through to the final four.

With Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen already in possession of the Bundesliga trophy, the Champions League is now the only focus for Tuchel’s Bayern.

Being able to concentrate only on Europe is a luxury few of the teams remaining in the Champions League have, particularly Arsenal who are in the midst of a tense Premier League title race.

Tuchel was free to make his focus on Europe obvious, making seven changes in Saturday’s hard-fought 20 home win over struggling Cologne.

Left out of the squad completely for the Cologne clash, captain Manuel Neuer and winger Leroy Sane were allowed to watch Saturday’s win from the comfort of the grandstand.

Bayern will however face Arsenal missing several first teamers.

Canada defender Alphonso Davies is suspended, while forwards Serge Gnabry and Kingsley Coman are injured.

Tuchel would not be drawn on who would replace Davies tomorrow, telling reporters after Saturday’s win over Cologne he may “do something crazy”.

Asked if one of Bayern’s centrebacks could make the shift out to left-back, Tuchel said with a smile “no, we want to win.”

Bayern veteran Thomas Muller, who has two Champions League titles, wrote on social media the focus was all on Europe.

“Now, it’s all about Europe. These nights, this pressure, this special atmosphere in the Allianz Arena: I’m looking forward to it.”

Tuchel took over a Chelsea side in disarray after the firing of club legend Frank Lampard in January 2021.

He steadied the ship and took the Blues to the Champions League final, where they beat Pep Guardiola’s heavily favoured Manchester City to win the title for the second time.

While plenty stands in the way of another Champions League triumph, including one more potential meeting with Guardiola’s City on the way, Tuchel could be just four games away from Wembley glory. – AFP