2024-05-09 07:20:44
FC Bayern is fighting against the “Royals” for a place in the final of the “premier class”. Just in case, the Munich coach has already planned for Thomas Müller – with a special task.
Champions League. The second leg in the semi-finals. FC Bayern at Real Madrid. After the 2-2 draw in the first leg, Munich still have the chance to make the German final in the premier class perfect at the Bernabeu Stadium – on Tuesday, Borussia Dortmund already moved into the final with a 1-0 win in the second leg at Paris Saint-Germain a.
Are Bayern now following suit? For the “Royal” team, coach Thomas Tuchel has decided not to have Thomas Müller in the starting line-up – the club veteran only sits on the bench at the start of the game. Serge Gnabry plays instead. But Tuchel revealed a special plan for the 34-year-old: “It could also last 120 minutes, it could also go to penalties, and Thomas is definitely in the top five,” said the 50-year-old before the game Wednesday evening on DAZN.
Müller could therefore play a very important role if he comes on as a substitute. The attacker is considered a reliable penalty taker: Müller converted 30 of a total of 38 penalties in his professional career and only missed eight times from the spot. His last missed penalty for Bayern was almost eight years ago: In October 2016, the original Bavarian was defeated in the Bundesliga by then Augsburg goalkeeper Marwin Hitz. A few months earlier, his last missed penalty in the Champions League game – against Atlético Madrid goalkeeper Jan Oblak. Curiously, the game was also a semi-final second leg.
In the best case scenario for Bayern, the game is already decided in their favor before the penalty shootout – even without a penalty from Thomas Müller. If he came on as a substitute, the goalscorer would set a record: it would be his 151st Champions League game for a club – only Barcelona legend Xavi has the same number.