Thomas Tuchel admits Bayern’s shock cup exit will take ‘some time to digest’

Bayern Munich coach Thomas Tuchel insists no one is blaming each other for the shock German Cup exit to third division Saarbrucken but accepts it will take a while to process.

The Bundesliga champions head to Borussia Dortmund for Der Klassiker on Saturday and Tuchel admits their midweek embarrassment “doesn’t make everyday life any easier”.

“It takes some time to digest it. There is no reason to be resigned and point fingers at each other,” he said.

Tuchel on going out of the DFB-Pokal: “We’ve got no reason to give up hope. We’re on a good run in the Bundesliga and we’ve got full confidence in our strong team. […] Unfortunately, losing is just a part of sport. Now, we’ve got to bounce back.”

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— FC Bayern Munich (@FCBayernEN) November 3, 2023

“We were obviously very disappointed. Nobody was shouting or blaming others. We were very disappointed because our goals were clear. We need to put it behind us.

“It is important that we stay together and keep calm. Criticism we have to endure. We know what we’re doing.”

Tuchel brushed off criticism aimed at him and his relationship with the squad.

“You can’t expect eulogies. You obviously get criticism. When you sign on at Bayern, you do so to compete for every title,” he added.

“We know where we are and that we want to be better. I take defeats very personally. We have to stand together and keep going.

“I’m part of a team and a great club. I’m a part of it when we win and a part of it when we lose.

The underdog remains #DFBPokal #BERLIN2024 #GEWINNERBLEIBT pic.twitter.com/8hZiR6BrhP

— The DFB-Pokal (@DFBPokal_EN) November 2, 2023

“It’s all good with the internal relationship, otherwise we wouldn’t be capable of playing a season like we’re doing now.

“And a defeat, no matter how painful, won’t change that now. It’s about staying together.”

Tuchel has a number of selection problems to cope with as his second-placed side attempt to extend their two-point advantage over their long-term rivals, currently fourth.

A knee problem sustained by Matthijs de Ligt on Wednesday means he could be short at centre-back with Dayot Upamecano not match fit having not played for a month because of a hamstring injury.

Leon Goretzka is undergoing surgery on a broken hand a fortnight ago, while forward Thomas Muller is suspended.

Tuchel explained: “Despite the importance of the match it is not a Champions League semi-final. We’ve got to think about the season as a whole,” said the former Dortmund coach.

“There’s no thinking about bringing in other people right now. We’ll nurse Upa and hope that he’s back in action quickly. The loss of Matthijs de Ligt really hurts.”

Nevertheless, Dortmund coach Edin Terzic is wary of the threat Bayern still pose.

“I have rarely seen two bad games or two disappointing performances from Bayern in a row,” he said.

“Against us, their senses are always a little sharper than perhaps against one or two opponents in the Bundesliga. Now there’s probably a little bit of anger added to it.”