Thomas Tuchel broke his toe during an animated pre-match pep talk to his Bayern Munich players ahead of their crunch Champions League tie against Lazio.
The German manager is leaving his post at the end of the season after a turbulent domestic campaign, and they were also facing an early European exit after a 1-0 defeat in Italy.
However, Tuchel’s pre-match conversation with the Bayern players clearly sparked something, as they secured a 3-0 victory to progress to the quarter-finals.
In another interview, the manager elaborated. ‘I kicked a box in the dressing room during the motivational speech and hurt my big toe. I don’t think I can take the shoe off. The team was wondering why I was sitting for almost 90 minutes.’
Thomas Tuchel revealed he broke a toe during a passionate pre-match talk to his players
The Bayern Munich boss was seen hobbling around after their Champions League victory
Tuchel said he used the ‘wrong technique’ to kick a door while talking his players up for Lazio
Jan-Christian Dreesen, the CEO of Bayern, also said: ‘Thomas Tuchel broke his toe today during the speech before the game – Thomas is on board with full enthusiasm and passion.’
Tuchel was seen visibly limping after the match had finished, including a walk down some stairs, and through a media section backstage.
Bayern came into the match trying to overcome a 1-0 deficit from the first leg, as Ciro Immobile’s penalty gave Lazio the advantage.
However, two goals from England captain Harry Kane and one from Thomas Muller were enough to give Bayern the 3-1 win on aggregate to seal their place in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
Bayern CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen hailed Tuchel’s ‘full enthusiasm and passion’ in the role
Two goals from England captain Harry Kane helped Bayern Munich seal a 3-1 win on aggregate
Following their success in Europe, Bayern return to domestic duties with a home game against Mainz on Saturday afternoon.
However, they will have to hope Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen drop points, as they sit ten points behind following a poor run of league form.
