Bayern Munich have advantage of being accustomed to big games: Tuchel

Thomas Tuchel believes that Bayern Munich's experience in big matches could give them an edge in Sunday's Champions League final.

Tuchel's Paris Saint-Germain take on the Bavarian giants in what will be their first Champions League final appearance, whereas Bayern have won the competition on four occasions and have appeared in two finals in the last decade.

"Bayern have the advantage of being accustomed to playing these big games," Tuchel said ahead of the match.

"They're a great club. It's not a small advantage, but it's not decisive either.

"It's a great challenge to take on Bayern, but we deserve to be here."

Tuchel is aware of the threats the German champions will pose his side, but he insists that his players will prepare for the game as if it were any other.

"It will be very difficult," he acknowledged.

"They have individual quality, but there is always space and there are always solutions.

"We have to find a mix between playing with freedom, with confidence and finding opportunities.

"The final isn't the time to make big changes, so we'll prepare for it like we did against [Borussia] Dortmund, Atalanta, and [RB] Leipzig."

PSG have had some injury concerns of late, which Tuchel was questioned about.

"[Marco] Verratti and [Idrissa] Gueye have been training with us for the last few days and both are available," he confirmed.

"It's a little different for Keylor [Navas] though. He'll try [to train] and then we'll make a decision.

"Verratti can play, but it's a matter of pain.

"His injury isn't muscular, he was on the end of a painful blow, but now he feels good and is training without any problems.

"He's available but for 90 or 120 minutes would be difficult.

"We'll decide if he starts or finishes the game."

Source: Marca English