Bayern Munich Coach Thomas Tuchel Returns to Face Borussia Dortmund In Crucial Bundesliga Clash

After taking the reins at Bayern, Thomas Tuchel expressed regret over how his stint with Borussia Dortmund ended. However, he is now wholly focused on leading his new team to victory against his former side in a game that could shape the Bundesliga title race.

Tuchel succeeded Julian Nagelsmann during the international break, with Bayern second in the league and in the Champions League quarterfinals. But with Dortmund one point ahead in the league, Saturday’s clash at the Allianz Arena is a must-win for both sides.

Stream LIVE: Bayern vs. Dortmund, Saturday, 12 p.m. ET, ESPN+

In his previous stint with Dortmund from 2015 to 2017, Tuchel led the team to German Cup success in his second season. However, he refused to dwell on the past ahead of the crucial match.

“It makes little sense to publicly stir up the dregs. The mood is very forgiving and everyone sees it that way,” Tuchel said. “When I played with PSG in Dortmund, I got hugs from a lot of people and hugged a lot of people too.”

Tuchel’s mantra in his first week with Bayern has been “work, eat, sleep, repeat”, despite some of his players only just returning from international duty. However, he remains grateful for the opportunity to coach at such a high level.

Bayern fans will be thrilled to hear that Jamal Musiala has trained after a hamstring strain ruled him out of Germany’s games. The young winger has been in outstanding form, contributing 15 goals and 12 assists in all competitions this season. However, Mathys Tel, Lucas Hernandez, and Manuel Neuer are out for Der Klassiker.

Dortmund manager Edin Terzic acknowledged that his side must show a different face if they are to end their winless streak against Bayern. With key players Giovanni Reyna and Thomas Meunier out due to injury, Jamie Bynoe-Gittens and Nico Schlotterbeck’s participation is also in doubt.

“We can send a signal — both to ourselves and to the competition,” Terzic said. “Tomorrow’s game can set a direction, but it won’t decide everything…We must courageously seize our opportunities and show a different face tomorrow than we have in recent years in Munich.”