Thiago Alcantara Ruled Out of Der Klassiker With Muscle Injury

Bayern Munich boss Hansi Flick has revealed Spanish playmaker Thiago Alcantara will not play a part in Tuesday's highly anticipated battle between the Bundesliga champions and Borussia Dortmund.

Thiago has featured 23 times in the league this season for Bayern, who can go seven points clear of nearest rivals Dortmund on Tuesday in their search for a 30th Bundesliga title.

Though the former Barcelona man played 90 minutes in Bayern's 2-0 win over Union Berlin, Flick revealed in the run up to Bayern's game against Eintracht Frankfurt, in which Thiago did not feature, that he had picked up a muscle injury.

Hansi Flick, addressing reporters in his pre-match press conference, has now revealed this injury will keep Thiago out of Tuesday's encounter with Die Borussen.

"Thiago didn't train today [Monday]," said Flick. "Unfortunately he is ruled out for this game."

Flick gave further details on the composition of his lineup, confirming that Jerome Boateng, who was substituted with muscle problems of his own during the 5-2 win against Frankfurt, will most likely feature.

"Boateng is able to play," Flick continued. "Of course I would have liked to have had Thiago with us as well, but he will be the only one not available."

When it came to the rest of Flick's lineup for the season defining encounter, he was understandably coy, refusing to give away much more about his tactical approach.

"The final secret regarding the lineup, I'd like to keep to myself," said the Bayern head coach, implying he was eager to spring a surprise on Lucien Favre's men.

Both teams are coming into this match in the middle of impressive winning runs in the league, with Bayern winning their last six league games, while Dortmund have triumphed in their last seven.