Bayern Munich manager Thomas Tuchel heaped praise on Englishman Jude Bellingham yesterday, describing the 20-year-old Real Madrid midfielder as “extraordinary” ahead of their Uefa Champions League tie tomorrow.
Tuchel and Bellingham missed each other at Borussia Dortmund, where the German was a manager between 2015 and 2017 and the Brit burst onto the European scene between 2020 and 2023.
But Tuchel, armed with Bellingham’s Three Lions teammate Harry Kane on Tuesday, described the youngster as someone who can handle the pressure of a European semi-final.
“Jude is extraordinary… He was fantastic here in the Bundesliga, how he progressed shows the level of personality he has, it’s only possible with a huge personality,” Tuchel said.
“Everyone who plays for Madrid plays with the pressure of the shirt. He plays with the pressure to play with this club and all the expectations.
“He handles it like he’s never done anything else. But we are well aware of it and will try and find solutions.”
The two giants of European football meet tonight at the Allianz Arena before a reverse leg at Santiago Bernabeu next Wednesday.
The winner will face either Paris Saint-Germain or Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League final at Wembley in June.
Recent Champions League finals
YearWinnerScoreRunner up2022–23Manchester City1–0Inter Milan2021–22Real Madrid1–0Liverpool2020–21Chelsea1–0Manchester City2019–20Bayern Munich1–0Paris Saint-Germain2018–19Liverpool2–0Tottenham Hotspur2017–18Real Madrid3–1Liverpool2016–17Real Madrid4–1Juventus2015–16Real Madrid1–1
(Real Madrid 5-3 penalties)Atlético Madrid2014–15Barcelona3–1JuventusLast time out