Thomas Tuchel’s intense focus on Bayern Munich’s Champions League quarter-final first leg against Manchester City gave him a sleepless night on Sunday and caused him to wake early the next morning and go straight to the team training ground.
Bayern visit the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday for what is the fourth match of Tuchel’s tenure, the 49-year-old having replaced Julian Nagelsmann last month. While as Chelsea manager he guided the west London club to triumph against City in the 2021 Champions League final, Tuchel stated Bayern may be “underdogs” and that his desire to knock Pep Guardiola’s side out is taking his constant attention.
“I will try to go to bed early tonight [Monday] – I hope I can sleep, as the best preparation is sleep,” he said. “Sometimes it is a bit hard – this morning I woke early and went straight to the training ground as I was thinking about the match.”
Tuchel has not discussed his victory against City with Chelsea with his new players though he did concede the knowledge of this may make them believe in him a little more. “We did not mention this final with one word and we will not do it,” he said.
“That would feel very awkward for me to do this. We focus now on our team. I would have wished for some more weeks and months to understand our team better but we don’t have it and no problem. We’re excited and hopefully it brings out the best in us.
“The way Man City play is relatively clear. You can clearly see that Pep has been around for six/seven years. It’s the highest level that European football currently has to offer. They are the gold standard. And they’re in top form.”
There is no extra motivation for Tuchel to lead Bayern through after he was sacked by Chelsea early in the season. “No, it’s impossible. I can just give my contract back if I’m not highly motivated for tomorrow,” he said. “This is a pure pleasure and a great gift to be part of a match like this, a quarter-final of a Champions League.”
City’s João Cancelo is on loan at Bayern but Tuchel could offer no indication that the Portuguese might sign permanently. “We haven’t discussed it with the club, I don’t even know the conditions of the contract,” he said.
