Thomas Tuchel believes Bayern Munich have a ‘slight advantage’ over Arsenal when it comes to Champions League experience – but admits Arsenal’s hunger to win the competition for the first time could also lead them to victory .
The two teams meet at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday evening, having drawn 2-2 at the Emirates Stadium a week ago.
“I think we have the slight advantage of the experience of our team,” Tuchel told a press conference on Tuesday.
“We have players who have won it, we have players who have played decisive matches in this competition. But to make it an advantage, we need to bring out the best in ourselves.
GO FURTHER
Arsenal 2 Bayern Munich 2: Kane gets the better of Raya, ‘un-Arsenal’ defense and ‘magic moments’
On the other hand, Tuchel believes Arsenal’s relative inexperience could be decisive. “It can also sometimes be an advantage to not have the experience, to just have the role of a pretender, the role of a chaser,” said the former Chelsea manager. “That can also be a theme for Arsenal: to go for it, to be the guys who finally do it after so many years.”
After missing the Bundesliga title against Bayer Leverkusen, the Champions League offers Bayern the opportunity to save their season.
Tuchel is not taking anything for granted, but is hoping his team’s experience can help them cross the finish line.
“For us, it’s not usual to be in the semi-final,” he maintained. “If you look at the last (few) years, it’s not that easy for us – or for anyone. It’s not so easy to overcome this stage, so now the situation is here: we have 90 or 120 minutes or penalties left, we have this decisive match to take the next big step in this great competition, and we are determined to bring everything to the table.
“If our group’s experience gives us an extra five percent, we’re happy to bring it to the table. But we have to get there, no one will give us anything, that’s how it is in this competition, it’s super hard.
Manuel Neuer and Leroy Sane are both available for selection, Tuchel revealed, but Serge Gnabry and Kingsley Coman will be absent. Full-back Alphonso Davies is suspended after receiving a yellow card in the first leg.
GO FURTHER
Arsenal’s season is on a tightrope but the best teams rise to these defining moments
(Michaela Stache/AFP via Getty Images)