FC Bayern Munich without Manuel Neuer in the Champions League

M.anuel Neuer, Robert Lewandowski and Leon Goretzka were allowed to leave the Champions League classy suit hanging in the closet. When reigning Bayern Munich champion started the insignificant sporting trip to the premier-class duel at Atlético Madrid this Tuesday (21:00 in FAZ live ticker for Champions League and Sky), the three stars were missing from the Munich special flyer . The injured Corentin Tolisso also remained at home. Before Saturday’s Bundesliga summit against rival RB Leipzig, manager Hansi Flick avoided any risk with his weary pros given the enormous stress.

However: before the start, Flick abruptly dismissed the fact that the triple winner, who has already qualified as group winner for the round of 16, could lose the match with the Spanish top team. “Do you feel like you are quitting the game? No! ”The 55-year-old said firmly.

Anyway: at the Estadio Wanda Metropolitano, FC Bayern will play with a weakened team after their last 15 consecutive victories in the premier class. Especially since the injured Joshua Kimmich and Alphonso Davies, the suspended Marc Roca and the unreported Tanguy Nianzou are missing. Flick doesn’t care. He stressed that he “has faith in my team. We can’t wait for the game to arrive. It will be an incredible challenge. “

Single instead of new

Captain Neuer, represented by Alexander Nübel, scorer Lewandowski and protagonist Goretzka, on the other hand, can save his tired bones at home on the sofa. “Leon and Lewy are injured. If someone is not at 100 percent, they don’t do much for the team “, said Flick. It is important, added goalkeeper Neuer,” that you can get off too, especially with the mammoth program that comes our way. “

While the trio will return against Leipzig, a use by world champion Tolisso against RB is questionable. After all, Jerome Boateng, Lucas Hernandez and Javi Martinez are on hand against Atlético, who lost 4-0 in the first leg in Monaco. The trio was replaced on Saturday in Stuttgart (3: 1) with minor injuries, but was able to train again on Monday.

But what does training mean? The focus is solely on regeneration with the Munich team’s incredibly tight schedule. You can hardly prove anything, Flick complained. Warm-up, a bit of tactics, closing the goal for self-confidence – and after 45 minutes the last session on Säbener Straße is over again. Flick is relaxed that his team is currently “not winning a beauty award” due to the many problems. It is important “that we play successfully. And it works “. But: “We must remain faithful”. And if he is in Madrid with a better B team.

For some professionals it will be a test. For example for the newcomer Nübel. “He makes a good impression and shows his quality in training,” Flick said. National team players Niklas Süle, who was recently largely sidelined due to lack of training, and Joker Leroy Sané can also prove themselves. “They should have fun and have everything inside,” Flick said of his players.

While the Monaco team can face the game calmly, Diego Simeone’s team is looking for second place in the group. It would be all the more important if striker Luis Suarez (Corona) could be there again. After another positive test on Monday, the Uruguayan was initially absent from the Atlético squad of the day and missed the last training session.