The last time Matthijs de Ligt faced Real Madrid was during Ajax's stunning 1-4 victory at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. There is a chance that this will remain the case for De Ligt, as the Dutch central defender is a big question mark for the upcoming match of Bayern Munich.
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Coach Thomas Tuchel, addressing the media on Monday afternoon before the upcoming home game, found himself fielding inquiries primarily concerning the fitness of Konrad Laimer and Matthijs de Ligt, both key players who were sidelined during Bayern's recent match against Eintracht Frankfurt due to injuries.
"I don't know their status at this moment," Tuchel stated, revealing a level of uncertainty about the players' readiness. "They are being tested right now, so I will know more in an hour. However, from my initial assessment, it appears the situation might be more favorable for Konrad," he added, hinting at a potentially quicker return for Laimer compared to De Ligt.
Regarding De Ligt and another teammate, Dayot Upamecano, Tuchel expressed concern: "The current status is that it's too early for them to start training. We're facing a situation where some crucial decisions will need to be made just before the game."
The press conference also veered towards internal club dynamics, specifically addressing the recent public criticisms from Uli Hoeness, Bayern's honorary chairman, directed at Tuchel's management. Tuchel, however, chose not to escalate the issue. "I'm not going to say anything more about this. I have crossed out this topic," he remarked, indicating a desire to move past the controversy which he had previously responded to with visible irritation.
Joshua Kimmich, the right-back who accompanied Tuchel at the press event, similarly downplayed the significance of the internal friction. "Of course, the players are aware of the issues, but our focus remains on the game ahead. These are matters we cannot control," Kimmich noted, emphasizing the team's commitment to performance despite the background noise.
As Bayern Munich prepares for its next challenge, the focus within the squad is clear: to overcome the distractions and uncertainties off the pitch by securing a victory on it. The next few days will be crucial in determining how they manage the fitness concerns and internal dynamics as they aim to maintain their competitive edge.
