BERLIN, Nov 3, 2023 (BSS/AFP) - Bayern Munich manager Thomas Tuchel said

Friday his undermanned side needed to "be clever" against Borussia Dortmund
in Saturday's meeting between two teams unbeaten in the league.

Tuchel's side have been hit hard by injuries and suspensions, with the coach
promising he would make "very, very late decisions" on his squad for the
game.

A knee injury to centre-back Matthijs de Ligt in Wednesday's surprise German
Cup elimination at third-division Saarbruecken put Tuchel's struggling
defence under more strain.

French international centre-back Dayot Upamecano, who has missed four matches
with a hamstring injury, may return for the game.

Tuchel also indicated that midfielder Leon Goretzka, who underwent surgery on
a broken hand less than two weeks ago, was a candidate to play centre-back.

"If Upa (Upamecano) can't play, then Leon will. If Leon can't, then Upa will.
We will have to wait and see."

Midfielder Joshua Kimmich is out through suspension, while former Dortmund
defender Raphael Guerreiro is unlikely to be fit in time as he recovers from
a torn muscle.

Bayern currently sit second in the table behind leaders Bayer Leverkusen, two
points ahead of Dortmund who are in fourth.

Tuchel said that "despite the importance of the match", it was "not a
Champions League semi-final" and he would not take any risks.

"We've got to think about the season as a whole" Tuchel said, promising he
would "weigh everything up."

Tuchel told reporters Bayern would show a "reaction" to the cup exit on
Saturday, saying to be eliminated so early "is against the law" at the club.

While Dortmund sporting director Sebastian Kehl said on Wednesday the fixture
was "the biggest game we have in Germany", his side have not beaten Bayern in
the league since 2018.

Last season's 2-2 draw in Dortmund ended a series of nine straight league
wins for Bayern.