Bayern Munich manager Thomas Tuchel emphasised the need for his depleted team to play cleverly in their upcoming match against Borussia Dortmund, as both teams remain undefeated in the league.
Tuchel's squad has been plagued by injuries and suspensions, leading him to make last-minute decisions on the starting lineup for the game.
A knee injury to centre-back Matthijs de Ligt during a recent German Cup upset against Saarbruecken has added further pressure on Tuchel's defence.
There is hope for Bayern as French international centre-back Dayot Upamecano, who has been sidelined due to a hamstring injury, may return for the game. Tuchel even hinted at the possibility of midfielder Leon Goretzka, who recently underwent surgery for a broken hand, playing as a centre-back if needed.
However, midfielder Joshua Kimmich will be unavailable due to suspension, and former Dortmund defender Raphael Guerreiro is unlikely to recover in time from a torn muscle injury.
On a positive note, England captain Harry Kane, who was on the bench during Wednesday's loss, is fit to play and will start for Bayern. Kane has an impressive record of 14 goals in 13 games since joining Bayern from Tottenham in the summer, and the team's only two losses this season occurred with him on the bench.
Dortmund manager Edin Terzic recognises the challenge of stopping Kane and stresses the need for a collective defensive effort.
As of now, Bayern is second in the league, trailing leaders Bayer Leverkusen by two points, while Dortmund is in fourth place.
Tuchel underlined that while the match is important, it is not a Champions League semi-final, and he will not take unnecessary risks. He emphasised the need to consider the season as a whole and weigh all factors before making decisions.
Tuchel expects Bayern to respond strongly to their early cup exit, stating that such a result "is against the law" at the club.
Terzic also anticipates a strong reaction from Bayern, as he noted that they rarely have back-to-back poor performances. He emphasised that Bayern tends to be sharper against Dortmund compared to other opponents.
Although Dortmund's sporting director, Sebastian Kehl, highlighted the significance of the fixture, his team has not defeated Bayern in the league since 2018. Last season's 2-2 draw at Dortmund marked the end of Bayern's nine-game winning streak against them in the league.
