The China Mail - Bayern ready for 'loud, emotional' Galatasaray welcome, says Tuchel

Former Schalke coach Domenico Tedesco had his side train in front of speakers blaring crowd noise before facing the Turkish giants in the 2018-19 group stage, but Tuchel said "there's no way to simulate that beforehand".

"It is extremely loud, extremely emotional. That will be a factor," he told reporters on Monday.

"Galatasaray will use that to their advantage. The match is a huge challenge for us."

Bayern are also lacking fit players, having arrived in Istanbul with a squad of just 18.

Injuries prevented Serge Gnabry, Dayot Upamecano, Raphael Guerreiro and Leon Goretzka from boarding the flight, while captain Manuel Neuer is not yet ready to return from a broken leg after almost a year on the sidelines.

Tuchel has rushed back injured full-back Noussair Mazraoui, saying: "We've accelerated the recovery process to the limit.

"If he feels safe to do so, he'll play. Medically, it's OK."

Tuchel believes Galatasaray's star striker Mauro Icardi will not play due to injury but said Bayern were prepared should the Argentinian be a late addition.

Bayern have gone a remarkable 36 Champions League group-stage matches unbeaten, including winning their past 15, but Galatasaray are on a streak of their own, having gone 17 games without a loss in all competitions this season.

Galatasaray, who sit second in the Turkish Super Lig, are also coming off a 3-2 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford last time out in Europe.

Their coach Okan Buruk said Bayern are "one of the favourites to win the Champions League".

"Bayern have a lot of experience. After beating United, we also now want an unforgettable evening against Bayern."

Former Schalke player Kaan Ayhan, now with Galatasaray, knows the German champions well, telling reporters: "Bayern are an opponent that punish every little mistake.

"But so are we. We can also make the most of their mistakes."

Y.Parker--ThChM