Injury-hit Bayern must be 'clever' at Dortmund, says boss Tuchel

Berlin, Nov 3 - Bayern Munich manager Thomas Tuchel said Friday his undermanned side needed to "be clever" against Borussia Dortmund in Saturday's meeting between two teams unbeaten in the league.

Tuchel's side have been hit hard by injuries and suspensions, with the coach promising he would make "very, very late decisions" on his squad for the game.

A knee injury to centre-back Matthijs de Ligt in Wednesday's surprise German Cup elimination at third-division Saarbruecken put Tuchel's struggling defence under more strain.

French international centre-back Dayot Upamecano, who has missed four matches with a hamstring injury, may return for the game.

Tuchel also indicated that midfielder Leon Goretzka, who underwent surgery on a broken hand less than two weeks ago, was a candidate to play centre-back.

"If Upa (Upamecano) can't play, then Leon will. If Leon can't, then Upa will.

We will have to wait and see." Midfielder Joshua Kimmich is out through suspension, while former Dortmund defender Raphael Guerreiro is unlikely to be fit in time as he recovers from a torn muscle.

Bayern currently sit second in the table behind leaders Bayer Leverkusen, two points ahead of Dortmund who are in fourth.

Tuchel said that "despite the importance of the match", it was "not a
Champions League semi-final" and he would not take any risks.

"We've got to think about the season as a whole" Tuchel said, promising he would "weigh everything up."

Tuchel told reporters Bayern would show a "reaction" to the cup exit on Saturday, saying to be eliminated so early "is against the law" at the club.

While Dortmund sporting director Sebastian Kehl said on Wednesday the fixture was "the biggest game we have in Germany", his side have not beaten Bayern in the league since 2018.

Last season's 2-2 draw in Dortmund ended a series of nine straight league wins for Bayern.