Bayern to ring changes for Barca
INJURIES will force Bayern Munich coach Julian Nagelsmann to make changes for tonight’s Champions League match at home to Barcelona behind closed doors.
Bayern are already into the last 16 as group winners, but want a sixth win from six games in the group stages when they host Barcelona, who they trounced 3-0 at the Camp Nou in September.
Barcelona are second in Group E, but need a win at the Allianz Arena, which will be void of supporters due to high numbers of Covid-19 cases in Bavaria, to guarantee a last 16 spot.
Nagelsmann still plans to field “the best available” Bayern team, but at least two of his stars are carrying knocks.
“Leon (Goretzka) broke off training again, he probably won't play, Serge Gnabry as well,” Nagelsmann yesterday.
The plum European tie also comes too early for both Eric Maxim Choupo-moting and Joshua Kimmich, who are on the verge of leaving quarantine after testing positive for Covid-19. Nagelsmann revealed that in Choupo-moting’s case, “the after-effects of the infection are still such that we will wait until next week, even if he’s negative”.
Kimmich is set to end house isolation on the day of the game, but “after a four-week break, it makes no sense” for him to play, added Nagelsmann.
The Bayern boss said it “feels weird” to face Barcelona in front of empty terraces at the Allianz Arena.
Nagelsmann has already seen the impact of Xavi Hernandez, who took charge of a struggling Barcelona side four weeks ago, but suffered his first defeat as head coach last weekend.
“They defend a little higher under him (Hernandez),” said Nagelsmann. “The counter-pressing is more like in the days of Pep (Guardiola). That frees up space, but you have to first escape the pressure.”
Meanwhile, Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic is isolating after testing positive for Covid-19 ahead of their final Champions League group game at Zenit St Petersburg while four other players are out injured manager Thomas Tuchel said yesterday.
Kovacic, who has five league assists, was back in contention for the first time since October after a thigh injury ruled the Croatia international out of Chelsea’s last eight games in all competitions.
Ben Chilwell, N’golo Kante (both knee), Trevoh Chalobah (thigh) and Jorginho (back problem) are also ruled out for tonight’s game.
Chelsea have already qualified for the Champions League’s knockout stages and are tied on 12 points with Juventus at the top of Group H. The London club can finish as group leaders if they match or better Juventus’ result against Malmo.