Thomas Reis: It’s not exactly easy, but it’s not impossible either

Going up against a strong opponent with new found confidence: the Royal Blues welcome Bayern Munich into the VELTINS-Arena in the Bundesliga’s Topspiel on Saturday evening (18:30 CET, 12.11). Thomas Reis is looking forward to the clash with the league leaders. “Everyone has to perform on the pitch so that we stand a chance,” said the head coach, whose side put in a convincing performance during the first stage of the double-game week with a 1-0 win over Mainz 05 and who were finally able to reward their performances with a result.

Bundesliga

11.11.22, 13:43

“It’s the final game before a long break. My expectation and that of the fans is that the team gives everything they have for the full 90 minutes that they are on the pitch for,” explained the head coach. If we do that, then, we can get something from every game – even against the record champions. Reis continued: “Getting a positive result against Bayern Munich is definitely not easy to do. But it isn’t impossible.” The 49-year-old knows what he is talking about: in February of this year, he defeated the then-to-be champions 4-2 with Bochum.

My expectations and that of the fans is that the team gives everything they have for the full 90 minutes that they are on the pitch for.

Thomas Reis

Reis stressed the importance of being courageous and not to be timid, but at the same time to minimise mistakes, again referencing and praising his side’s performance against Mainz. Proof being Henning Matriciani’s last ditch tackle deep into injury time which drew applause from the crowd. Despite the excitement of getting his first three points under his belt as S04 boss, Reis, however, underlined how that game is in the past, stating “I don’t like talking about the past. We’re going into the game against Bayern at 0-0 and we want to put in a convincing performance.”

Concentration will also play a role, according to the head coach. “Once Bayern get into a groove, they can completely take the game away from their opponent in a matter of minutes.” Werder Bremen experienced that fate recently when, during their 6-1 thumping, the Bavarians turned the game from 1-1 to 4-1 in the space of 6 minutes.

Some bruises but no further absences

In terms of the personnel that Reis has at his disposal to take on the record champions, the situation is no better or worse than against Mainz. “There were a few bumps and bruises following the game against Mainz,” explained the head coach. Every player that was in the line-up during the game on Wednesday are available for selection again.

S04 must continue to do without Ibrahima Cissé (muscle injury), Leo Greiml (Meniscus-op), Marcin Kaminski (cut to his calf), Thomas Ouwejan (inner ligament injury), Sepp van den Berg (ligament damage) and Rodrigo Zalazar (broken foot). Ralf Fährmann, who has been unavailable recently with a strain, on the other hand, should be back in the squad. The goalkeeper has been back on the training pitch.

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