"Eyes closed and through": Tuchel praises Goretzka's development
Coach Thomas Tuchel is counting on national team player Leon Goretzka to continue his upward trend against 1. FC Köln. "He's done what he needs to do, close his eyes and get on with it. He's never let himself down, has always trained very well and has now found his form. I hope he can prove that against Cologne," said the FC Bayern Munich coach.
The German record champions would like to take over the top of the table, at least temporarily, in the long-distance duel with Bayer Leverkusen. The Werkself will visit Werder Bremen on Saturday. The Munich side will not travel until the matchday for the game on Friday evening (8.30pm). "Bayer have strengthened excellently and they can work in peace. Alongside Leipzig and Dortmund, they are our biggest rivals," Goretzka said in the "Abendzeitung" newspaper about the title race. He wants to pick up three points with his team in the neighboring city.
Goretzka bites through.
Goretzka was not nominated for the national team by then national coach Hansi Flick at the start of the season. He was not always Tuchel's first choice either. "Overall, we are very satisfied. He gritted his teeth with his hand fracture, fought through pain and a limitation to serve the cause and the team. That was impressive," said Tuchel.
Goretzka even helped out as a central defender at times. "The coach has the right to praise and criticize. I have and had no problem with that and said early on that I feel comfortable at FC Bayern and want to make my contribution to us playing successfully and winning titles," Goretzka told the Abendzeitung newspaper.
The mastermind is missing this time
The 28-year-old is currently impressing on the half-left flank. "He plays between the 10 and the 6. There were discussions about him and he has now found his form," said Tuchel.
The 50-year-old is looking forward to returning to the place where FC Bayern were crowned champions in a thrilling finish to the season. "Of course, those are very good memories, even if it did cost us a few nerves," said Tuchel. Jamal Musiala, scorer of the 2:1 winning goal and mastermind, is missing this time after suffering a muscle injury.
Goretzka's impressive form in the Bundesliga has caught the attention of both club and country, as he was also left out of the national team at the start of the season but has since won back his spot. With transfers happening around the league, such as Bayer Leverkusen strengthening their squad, FC Bayern Munich's title race is set to be challenging. Goretzka, who has played as a central defender and half-left flank midfielder for the club, will look to lead Bayern to success against rivals like Bayer Leverkusen, Borussia Dortmund, and RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga.
Source: www.dpa.com
