Tuchel’s injury-ravaged Bayern wary of Augsburg slip-up

Bayern Munich manager Thomas Tuchel said he felt “a little bit jinxed” by his club’s luck, as the Bundesliga champions head for resurgent Augsburg on Saturday with fresh injury concerns.

On Wednesday, Bayern battled to a 1-0 victory at home against Union Berlin, cutting the deficit to four points with leaders Bayern Leverkusen.

Unfortunately, Dayot Upamecano, the defender, and Joshua Kimmich and Konrad Laimer, the midfielders, suffered injuries as a result of the win.

Kimmich might miss just one game, but Upamecano and Laimer are probably going to be gone for a few weeks.

Tuchel bemoaned the misfortune of the injuries occurring during the absence of defenders Noussair Mazraoui and Kim Min-jae on international service.

Bayern’s dependence on Harry Kane and Leroy Sane has grown due to the injured forward Serge Gnabry’s extended absence; nonetheless, the team is particularly suffering in midfield and defense.

On Wednesday, Eric Dier, an English defender, made his Bayern debut by replacing Upamecano at halftime.

While acknowledging that Dier was “thrown in the deep end,” Tuchel said the transfer had “already paid off” and highlighted the defender’s “presence, confidence, and experience” versus Union.

In their matchup with Augsburg, a team that has recently competed with their famed Bavarian neighbors, Dier might be crucial.

Only twice in their existence have Augsburg, who were promoted to the Bundesliga in 2011, finished in the top half of the standings.

at spite of this, Bayern has played four league games at Augsburg and has lost two and drew one of them.

Since appointing Danish manager Jess Thorup in mid-October, the hosts have likewise been on a roll.

The team was barely one point above the relegation zone when Thorup took control, but he has since turned things around.

In 11 games, Augsburg has only lost three, earning 16 points, which is the same number as Borussia Dortmund and Stuttgart, two teams vying for a spot in the Champions League.

On Thursday, Thorup said that he “did not care so much about the past” and issued a warning that Bayern’s injury problems would make them less dependable.

Thorup stated, “It’s hard to know what they’ll do now,” but he urged bravery from his side.

“If we just concentrate on stopping the opposition, Bayern will score. That is not going to work.

Leverkusen hosts Derby rivals Borussia Moenchengladbach, who are also without a number of stars because of injuries and international commitments.

After requiring injury-time victories in their previous two games, Xabi Alonso’s team will be hoping to defeat struggling Gladbach with minimal fuss.

Keep an eye on Dani Olmo of RB Leipzig.

The return of star forward Dani Olmo in Saturday’s 3-2 loss to Bayer Leverkusen was a rare bit of good news for RB Leipzig after the team had lost two games in a row to begin 2024.

The Spaniard made his Leipzig debut in his first game since early September, setting up Lois Openda for a counterattack goal in the second half with a precise assist.

Olmo was playing at an incredible level prior to suffering an injury. In his first four games, he netted five goals, including a hat-trick in Leipzig’s 3-0 victory over Bayern Munich in the August Supercup.

Olmo’s comeback is ideal for Leipzig coach Marco Rose, given the dynamic Xavi Simons is suspended and will miss Saturday’s match against third-place Stuttgart.

Important statistics

7-0: Dortmund has won its first two games of 2024, scoring seven goals and giving up none, cutting the deficit to fourth-place RB Leipzig to six points.

48 of 54: With just six losses so far this season, Bayer Leverkusen has the third-best start in Bundesliga history.

Two: Harry Kane’s longest ‘drought’ of the season has seen him fail to score in his last two league games.

Fixtures (unless otherwise noted, 1430 GMT)

Friday

Frankfurt v. Mainz, Eintracht (1930)

On Saturday

Bayer Leverkusen vs. Borussia Moenchengladbach (1730), Stuttgart vs. RB Leipzig, Hoffenheim vs. Heidenheim, Augsburg vs. Bayern Munich, Werder Bremen vs. Freiburg, Wolfsburg vs. Cologne

Sunday

Borussia Dortmund v. Bochum and Union Berlin v. Darmstadt (1630)