'Battered' Bayern Munich face Heidenheim hurdle amidst injury woes

"We're missing some key players including Leroy Sane, Noussair Mazraoui, Aleksandar Pavlovic, Manuel Neuer and Kingsley Coman, " confirmed Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel in a press conference on Friday, raising concerns ahead of their upcoming fixtures.

Looking forward to Bayern's Champions League quarter-final encounter with Arsenal on Tuesday, Tuchel emphasized, "None of the absentees will be rested for Tuesday. They're sidelined due to fitness issues, casting doubts over their availability for the clash. Every minute is crucial."

However, there's a glimmer of hope for Bayern as Raphael Guerreiro returns to fitness, providing a boost for the Bavarians following their previous defeat.

"We must rectify last weekend's performance, primarily for ourselves. Maintaining focus on the next game is imperative," remarked Tuchel. "Our aim is to be the best version of ourselves every day. The ultimate preparation lies in our performance in the upcoming match."

Heidenheim, despite their recent winless streak extending to six games, showcased resilience in their previous fixture against Stuttgart, rallying from a 2-0 deficit to a 3-2 lead, ultimately securing a 3-3 draw.

While Bayern enter as favourites, Heidenheim can approach the fixture without the burden of expectations. The timing may favour the underdogs, with Bayern preoccupied by their looming clash with Arsenal and an extensive injury list.

Heidenheim, though, will be without long-term absentee Thomas Keller, alongside the suspended Nikola Dovedan and the unwell Norman Theuerkauf.

The stage is set for an intriguing encounter as Bayern navigate through their injury setbacks while Heidenheim seek to capitalize on their opponents' vulnerabilities.