Domenico Tedesco: We are really up for the game!

“We need a perfect day, where we stay tight at the back and don’t allow them many chances”, said Tedesco ahead of the match, who also recognises that it’s nigh on impossible to completely thwart Bayern’s offensive players. “Bayern are always highly dangerous; players like Robert Lewandowski and Kingsley Coman are always capable of starting attacks from nowhere,” said the 33-year-old. In order to stop Bayern, Tedesco’s side needs to “concentrate 100% and give everything they’ve got.”

Nastasic still suffering from a calf problem

Tedesco will more than likely have the same players available to him as he did for the match against Düsseldorf. Matija Nastasic, who missed the cup fixture with a calf problem, is on his way back to full fitness, but “will have to wait a bit longer” according to Tedesco. Sporting director Axel Schuster confirmed: “Nastasic went into the Gladbach game with a light calf issue, which got a bit worse. We want to ensure that it doesn’t become a structural injury which would keep him out longer.”

If the Serb does miss out, then new signing Jeffrey Bruma will be ready to replace him, just as he did against Düsseldorf. The Dutch defender could possibly come up against Bayern’s top goalscorer Robert Lewandowski, who Tedesco had a lot of praise for. “He scores so many important goals; more often than not he gets the opening goal in a game for his side,” stated Tedesco, who continued by saying “he does a great job on the ball too.”

For Tedesco, it is unimportant which side Niko Kovac goes with for tomorrow’s game, as they can rotate their squad without losing much quality. The head coach also wants his side to learn their lessons from the 2-0 home defeat earlier this season. “Bayern dominated that game. We want to start this one a lot differently. He also acknowledged: “They are capable of dominating and controlling every game though.“

S04, according to Tedesco, will need “a certain amount of luck in some situations, so that Bayern’s chances don’t end up in goals.” Even though it will be a difficult task, the 33-year-old is remaining optimistic: “We are really up for this game!”