Tuchel’s Bayern Overture: Raphaël Guerreiro’s Insightful Riffs on Playing Harmony
Since joining Bayern Munich from Borussia Dortmund during the summer transfer window, Raphaël Guerreiro has had a bad run of injuries. However, he made an impression with his crucial goal in the 4-2 Bundesliga victory over Heidenheim. He has just made one start for Bayern this season, in the team’s DFB-Pokal opening round. However, with Thomas Tuchel perhaps having to make changes during the English Weeks, he may be in line for more starts soon.
Tuchel is a huge admirer of Guerrero because of his tactical adaptability and ability to play in midfield in addition to his defensive prowess. This season, Tuchel has already utilised the Portugal international in midfield multiple times, much as how he has occasionally been able to employ Konrad Laimer as a backup right back.
Guerreiro recently discussed his experience working under Tuchel at Bayern, tying it in with their time together at Dortmund, in an interview with beIN Sports France (via @iMiaSanMia). Guerreiro claimed he chose to join Bayern from Dortmund during the summer transfer window in large part because of the management. “I’m here in part because of him. I am familiar with him and his techniques. Along with Dortmund, he made progress with the teams he coached. Guerreiro clarified, “He was one of numerous reasons I’m in Munich right now.
Between leading Bayern and Dortmund, Tuchel has also held positions at Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain. Guerreiro said he can see how the former Champions League winner has developed as a manager. “Dortmund was his first significant encounter.” It seems to me that he was stricter then. Now, he allows his players more latitude while still enforcing fundamentals on the field. That, in my opinion, makes a difference, Guerrero said.