Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel has boldly predicted Serge Gnabry will mark his return from injury by scoring against Real Madrid in their Champions League semi-final first leg.
The German giants welcome Real Madrid to the Allianz Arena on Tuesday night, with Tuchel admitting he is facing several last minute decisions due to fitness concerns.
Dayot Upamecano, Leroy Sane, Konrad Laimer and Jamal Musiala are among the injury doubts heading into the clash.
'With [Dayot] Upamecano, [Matthijs] de Ligt, [Konrad] Laimer, we are analysing their follow-up,' Tuchel said. 'We have to wait, we will see after training.
'Serge Gnabry will score tomorrow. It will happen. I don't know how I know, but it will happen.'
Tuchel's prediction should come as a boost to Gnabry after a stop start season at Bayern Munich.
The winger has made 17 appearances in all competitions for Bayern during the campaign, making seven starts having been hit with a series of injury problems.
Gnabry has been absent since limping off with a muscle problem in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final with Arsenal.
The German international had netted in the 2-2 draw with Gunners, one of his five goals this season, before Bayern advanced via a 1-0 second leg win.
Tuchel, who is set to leave Bayern at the end of the season, said Bayern need to have freedom as they seek to earn a first leg lead at home.
'We want to play the game in isolation, without any background thoughts. That’s important to ensure we have the freedom to play a top game,' Tuchel said.
'We’ll try our all to win the game. Then we’ll know how things stand for the second leg.
'The job against Real is about getting enough people in attack to hurt them, but also not to expose ourselves.
'We need a good balance of discipline and freedom. Obviously, we also need some luck in the game, momentum.'
Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti was asked about Tuchel's prediction in his press conference.
'He has a chance to score yes, just like Kane or Sane,' Ancelotti replied.
'I think Vinicius has a better chance of scoring than Ferland Mendy. These are just statistics.'
kilgharraRMA
173
Today Jude Bellingham will bang his first hattrick against bayern mark my words
kilgharraRMA
113
Mr tuchel should suppose to mind his tongue, he led himself in to trouble by making this nonsense talk...😂