Thomas Tuchel is expected to lead Bayern Munich against Borussia Monchengladbach despite the head coach being hit by flu in recent days.

The former Chelsea boss missed training on Wednesday and Thursday through the illness and has looked a doubt for Saturday’s Bundesliga clash at the Allianz Arena.

Sporting director Christoph Freund stood in at the pre-match press conference but said Tuchel would “in all likelihood” be on the touchline as Bayern look to heap pressure on Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen.

“Thomas will come down to Sabener Strasse (training ground) today and take training,” Freund said. “He’s getting better. We’re positive he can be at the game tomorrow.”

Tuchel was pictured later on Friday taking training on the eve of the Gladbach game, with Noussair Mazraoui back with the group following Morocco’s exit from the Africa Cup of Nations.

Joshua Kimmich returned to light training after a shoulder injury and new signing Bryan Zaragoza worked with his new team-mates for the first time.

Bayern announced in December that a deal had been reached with Granada to sign the 22-year-old forward at the end of the season, but injuries saw him arrive earlier than planned in a loan switch.

Sporting director Freund said: “It wasn’t the original plan. Due to the injuries, we discussed what we could do. We then decided we’d tried to bring him now. It was a last-minute thing.

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“I was in Granada on Monday, had good discussions and were able to reach an agreement. We’re very happy Bryan is here now.”

Zaragoza, speaking at his unveiling, added: “The plan was for me to come in the summer.

“The situation is how it is. This is a unique chance for me. I’m very grateful to Granada, but this was a big chance for me.”

Zaragoza is the third first-team signing made by Bayern during the winter transfer window after Eric Dier and Sacha Boey joined from Tottenham and Galatasaray respectively.

Sporting director Freund said: “We wanted to strengthen at the back with a centre-back and right-back. We’re happy.

“What’s happened with Bryan wasn’t the plan, but we reacted to the situation and were able to bring it forward. I’m very happy about that.

“Whether it’s all going to work out, we’ll see in the coming weeks and months. I’m positive and pleased we’re now well set.”

Gladbach will be hoping to darken the mood in Munich, with boss Gerardo Seoane looking to tweak the set-up that earned a 0-0 draw at leaders Leverkusen last weekend.

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“When you play against the top teams, you need to play really well across the board,” he said. “The other team also has to have an off day.

“From time to time against Leverkusen, we wanted to press higher up the pitch and go on the attack, but we didn’t manage to do that.

“Sitting back worked well, however. We’ll have to be quicker on the counter and use space better than we did last weekend against Bayern.

“We’re planning on preparing as much as we can for the opposition and playing as well as we can in all departments.”

Bayern Munich have agreed a short-term loan deal to bring Granada forward Bryan Zaragoza to the Bundesliga ahead of schedule.

The German champions announced in December the 22-year-old would be joining them on a five-year contract from the summer of 2024.

Injuries to key players, however, have prompted Bayern to move into the transfer market and they have secured the services of Zaragoza early on loan until the end of the season.

Zaragoza will join up with Thomas Tuchel’s squad immediately.

Bayern sporting director Christoph Freund told the club’s website: “In football you always have to be flexible and so we’ve reacted to the current situation.

“An agreement like this involves three parties and we’re happy that Bryan Zaragoza is joining us earlier than agreed.

“Bryan sees his future at FC Bayern – that future is beginning now. We’re very pleased that he’ll strengthen our squad already for the second half of the season.”

Zaragoza, who helped Granada win promotion to LaLiga last season, joins a Bayern side currently trailing Bayer Leverkusen by two points in a tight title race.

Zaragoza said: “I’m moving to FC Bayern to grow at one of the biggest clubs in the world.

“I’m looking forward to what’s coming. We’re aiming high.”

Bayern Munich have agreed a five-year deal to sign Bryan Zaragoza from Granada ahead of the 2024-25 season.

The 22-year-old Spain international joined the LaLiga side from Conejito de Malaga in 2019 and began his senior career on loan for a season with Ejido before returning to Granada, where he has so far made 51 appearances during his time there.

This season he has featured in 14 league games for Granada, who are currently second-from-bottom in the table, scoring five goals and providing two assists.

He made his senior Spain debut in October against Scotland in the Euro 2024 qualifiers and Bayern sporting director Christoph Freund revealed the forward has been on the club’s radar.

Speaking about the move, Freund said: “Bryan Zaragoza is an explosive, very quick and extremely nimble winger, who can play on either side. He’s unpredictable, can score and is very good one-on-one.

“He’s already made his senior debut for Spain this year and has a lot of potential. Bryan is one of Spain’s up-and-coming players and has been on our radar for a while.

“He’ll increase our attacking options. We wish him the best of luck for the rest of the season with Granada and look forward to him joining us in the summer.”