As Bayern Munich face Hoffenheim this weekend with ‘only’ the Bundesliga title left to play for, coach Thomas Tuchel has the option of giving youngster Mathys Tel only his second start of the season with his striking options somewhat diminished. Is it time to unleash their young goal-getter?
With Eric-Maxim Choupo Moting looking very unlikely to be fit for the visit of Hoffenheim, Bayern trainer Tuchel has to decide whether to field the same attacking unit that drew a blank against Manchester City in midweek or throw 17-year-old Frenchman Tel in from the start.
Serge Gnabry occupied the central berth in Bayern’s front three at the Etihad with Kingsley Coman and Leroy Sané flanking him. With Choupo Moting still suffering from a back injury, the first-choice number nine will need deputising for once again for the matchday 28 clash.
Thomas Müller could be an option to lead the front line, although many Bayern fans would love to see Mathys Tel given the chance to impress. The teenager has scored four Bundesliga goals this season despite just the one starting appearance. Back in September he became Bayern’s youngest-ever Bundesliga scorer with his goal against VfB Stuttgart and he’s scored against Mainz, Werder Bremen and Borussia Mönchengladbach as a substitute.
Bayern are being heavily linked with signing a big-name striker in the summer with the likes of Harry Kane, Randal Kolo Muani and Victor Osimhen being touted as potential arrivals. Tel however would dearly love to be given the chance to show what he can do and the opportunity to impress new coach Thomas Tuchel in the season’s run-in would do his chances of rising up the Bayern pecking order no harm at all.
He has been out for the past few weeks with an adductor strain picked up while on international duty with the French U-19 side and Bayern will be wary of bringing him back too early. Should he prove his fitness however, this weekend’s fixture could be an excellent opportunity to give him a chance to impress.
