Julian Nagelsmann hopes to be back on the Bayern bench against Benfica Lisbon – but that is not yet certain. There could also be movement in the starting eleven.
He still hasn’t been able to unpack his suitcases from the Lisbon trip. The luggage Julian Nagelsmann took with him to Portugal a fortnight ago is still at Säbener Straße. “When I go to the ground tomorrow, I’ll unpack my suitcases from Benfica first,” the Bayern coach explained at Monday’s press conference. Provided his first trip away from home goes according to plan. Because that first takes Nagelsmann to the laboratory, where a PCR test will decide whether he will sit on the Bayern bench against the Portuguese on Tuesday evening.
“I have never missed a game before and always brought up my co-coaches when they couldn’t,” Nagelsmann explained. “I’m excited to see what kind of spells will come now. “
Before Freiburg game: Nagelsmann wants to “spread the load “
In general, he will have “little time” on Tuesday to “enjoy the regained freedom”, Nagelsmann announced – also because he is still tinkering with his starting line-up. There could also be rotations with a view to the Bundesliga top game next weekend. “We have an important game against Freiburg, so it makes sense to spread the load a bit,” Nagelsmann announced. “There are considerations to give one or the other frequent player a break. “
Nagelsmann will only be able to make a final decision after consulting the medical department and analysing the blood results. One candidate for a rest could be Alphonso Davies, who, according to Nagelsmann, is suffering from “slight muscular problems”. Leon Goretzka, who was absent at Union Berlin at the weekend due to a flesh wound, is fit for action. Even with Lucas Hernandez, who was substituted in Berlin after taking a knock to the knee, “I expect it to work by tomorrow evening,” Nagelsmann said.
Which does not automatically mean that the Frenchman will also play from the start. In any case, according to Nagelsmann, Dayot Upamecano “can count on chances” of starting in central defence again after his bench spot in Berlin.
