Thomas Tuchel tells Bayern Munich players to find their 'inner child' ahead of Real Madrid showdown

admin admin | 05-08 08:15

Thomas Tuchel wants his Bayern Munich players to enjoy playing against Real Madrid in a Champions League semi-final, something which he feels many would have grown up dreaming about.

After last week's 2-2 draw in Germany, Bayern will have to beat Real in their own back yard if they are to reach the final at Wembley, where Borussia Dortmund await following their victory over Paris Saint-Germain.

With Bayer Leverkusen ending Bayern's 11-year Bundesliga reign by securing the league title last month, the six-times European Cup winners have only one trophy left to fight for this season.

Tuchel spent several minutes talking to his players in an empty Santiago Bernabeu stadium on Tuesday and said that he told them they needed to find extra motivation within themselves.

"One of them (things we talked about) was simply to enjoy a day like today and an arrival like this because, as I've just said, we're all in a tunnel and of course it's all very game-orientated," said the former Chelsea boss.

"The review of the first leg, the outlook for the game ahead, what spaces do we want to occupy, who will play where, what do we want to do a little better? What do we want to do the same? What do we want to change a little?

"That's a good thing, too. But I've now simply said, on an evening like this. We won't have time to enjoy it tomorrow anyway. It's just important to reconnect with your inner child, with your own inner child and so on.

"To realise once again that we all wanted to be part of it when we were little. That we played these games in the garden and that we should be allowed to be grateful and proud of it. And that, on the other hand, it won't stop us from doing everything we can tomorrow to take the step towards Wembley."

While the Bernabeu holds a certain mystique, Tuchel vowed that his side won't be overawed by the prospect of setting up an all-German final in London on 1 June.

"We're not talking about the myth and not making it more difficult than it already is. It's one of the most difficult stadiums to win in, but it's not impossible. We played a very good first leg. We were the slightly better team, but unfortunately we didn't win.

"That's probably why the situation with the home advantage, is maybe 51 per cent maybe for Real Madrid at the moment...But who am I to explain the myth? I can only describe it from my point of view."

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