FC Bayern Munich Champions League: Thomas Tuchel's psychological trick earlier than the sport at Real Madrid | EUROtoday

As of 8:37 p.m | Reading time: 5 minutes

An early Tuesday night, FC Bayern landed in Madrid on a particular flight. Coach Thomas Tuchel and his group went straight to the legendary Estadio Santiago Bernabéu to examine the pitch. Tuchel spoke to his gamers about how they need to bear in mind how, as a baby, they dreamed of this stadium, of Real Madrid, of a recreation like this one subsequent Wednesday night. And that you’ve got an important probability: reaching the ultimate of the Champions League. “You have to enjoy an arrival like this because we are all in the tunnel,” stated Tuchel. “We can’t enjoy it tomorrow. It is important to connect with your inner child. We reenacted these games when we were little.”

Tuchel and his captain Manuel Neuer then spoke at a press convention within the area's media room concerning the activity forward. National goalkeeper Neuer has already skilled dramatic Champions League evenings on the venue. On Wednesday (9 p.m., DAZN and within the WELT dwell ticker) he’ll compete with the German soccer file champions within the second leg of the premier class semi-final at Real.

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“This stadium has something special, something historic. There is hardly a stadium in Europe where it is nicer to play. We know that a really big game is waiting for us,” stated Neuer, whose group drew 2-2 within the first leg. “It will depend on a very good form on the day. The first goal can make the difference, it depends on the little things. The focus will be high, nobody wants to make mistakes, both teams have very good offensive power.”

“I didn’t come with fear”

You want the momentum. He and his colleagues are ready for the truth that there might be further time or a penalty shootout. “I didn’t come with fear. We are very self-confident,” stated Neuer. “Because we know what kind of game we played last week. We know who we are meeting. If you had the opportunity to beat Real at home, you will have the opportunity here too.” Star striker Harry Kane can be an necessary issue once more.

In the semi-final second leg in April 2012, the 38-year-old grew to become a hero with a 3-1 penalty shootout within the final cease earlier than the “finale at home”, which was later misplaced. He parried in opposition to Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka, and legendary defender Sergio Ramos additionally missed in opposition to Neuer.

Five years later, nonetheless, Neuer left the Bernabéu Stadium in shock. The 4-2 defeat within the quarter-final second leg after further time with questionable referee selections continues to be bitter for Bayern as we speak. But Neuer was hit the toughest that night. In the midst of the dejection of the night time's banquet, the then CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge introduced the dangerous information that Neuer had significantly injured himself. “He broke his foot at 3-2, which was actually offside,” stated Rummenigge.

Neuer has by no means saved a clear sheet at Real

It was the start of an extended interval of struggling for Neuer, which solely ended shortly earlier than the 2018 World Cup in Russia. When he was lacking from Munich's semi-final exit in Madrid just a few weeks earlier, consultant Sven Ulreich made a critical mistake within the 2-2 draw. This season, Neuer needed to win a good greater battle together with his physique after his difficult leg fracture. The nationwide goalkeeper's reward is his fourth Champions League closing. “It’s good that we have everything in our own hands and can make the decision to get to the final at Wembley,” stated Neuer. To do that, after the 2-2 draw within the first leg, Munich now need to win in Madrid: after 90 minutes, 120 – or once more in a penalty shootout. “The goalkeepers are prepared for anything to happen,” stated Neuer on Tuesday night.

Neuer can obtain one thing on this eagerly awaited Wednesday night that he has by no means managed on the Bernabéu, not even within the 1-0 defeat within the first leg of the semi-final in April 2014: a clear sheet.

In doing so, he would additionally prolong his personal file: within the 1-0 win within the quarter-final second leg in opposition to Arsenal FC, he remained with out conceding a objective for the 58th time in his 138th premier class recreation and thus beat the Spaniard Iker Casillas (57 clear sheets). Games) changed as file holder.

A present and an obligation on the similar time

Central defender Matthijs de Ligt is able to play once more after his harm – and may substitute the not too long ago weak Minjae Kim. “We are happy that Matthijs is back,” stated Neuer. “It’s important to be there through body language. The volume in the stadium certainly also plays a role. When a player radiates positivity, it is very important for us.” It is essential that his group has a steady protection in opposition to Real.

His coach Tuchel stated: “It is one of the most difficult stadiums to win. But it’s not impossible.” The possibilities for Real are maybe 51 %. “It is one of the biggest clubs in the world. We are also a big club in Europe. That's why it's a big duel. It's a gift and an obligation at the same time.” Both teams would have to endure, defend and suffer on Wednesday. He expects a wave-like game. “Both teams are very, very strong in the quick transition game. That's why I think it will be a very complex game with different phases. It will be very important to play together.”