No time for sentiments – for Pep Guardiola, his return to his old club is all about inflicting a painful defeat on Barcelona in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final. It is indeed "something special, but it’s also just a match that we want to win," said the Bayern München manager ahead of the meeting with his old club at the Camp Nou this evening (20:45 CEST).
Although Robert Lewandowski, who will wear a mask should he feature, declared himself fit ahead of the trip, Pep Guardiola’s side go into the tie as outsiders. The Spanish daily newspaper Sport has christened the game the "next fight of the century" after the Mayweather-Pacquiao boxing match.
108 goals so far this season for Messi, Neymar and Suarez
Despite the long injury list and the prolific attacking prowess of Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez and Neymar, who have scored 108 goals between them in all competitions so far this season, Bayern, who will welcome Barcelona in the return leg on the 12th May (20:45 CEST), feel comfortable with the expectations on their shoulders ahead of the match. Captain Philipp Lahm believes that it doesn’t matter which side is given the favourites tag before the encounter. "We want to play good football and definitely want to score," he explained. "I think we’re capable of doing just that," added Thomas Müller.
Bayern are relying upon Guardiola’s knowledge of the opposition. "Everything has to be taken into consideration but Pep will come up with a good approach," said President Karl Hopfner. "The manager knows them better than anyone else. He’ll outline a clear game plan," stressed Müller.
Nevertheless, Chief Executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge warned of and hopes his club can avoid a repeat of 2009. FC Bayern, who were managed by Jürgen Klinsmann at that time, lost 4-0 at Camp Nou and then could only muster a 1-1 draw in the return leg of the quarterfinals and were knocked out of the competition. "The semi-final shouldn’t be settled by the result in Barcelona. Ideally, we have to score," remarked Rummenigge. He knows that "we’re not favourites but we’re not travelling their without any hope of returning with a positive result either."
Bayern without Robben, Ribéry, Rode, Alaba and Badstuber
Thiago, who came through the ranks at Barcelona under the guidance of Guardiola, doesn’t believe that his side will show the opposition too much respect out on the pitch. "We’re all professionals and therefore aren’t afraid of other players," he said. Not even when one of the opposition is Messi. Javi Martínez further emphasised this point, stating that the team’s big aim is making it through to the final on the 6th June in Berlin.
It’s a depleted and injury-hit Bayern side going into their fifth Champions League semi-final in the past six years. A new name recently added to the list of players sidelined is Sebastian Rode, who is suffering with a muscle injury. Franck Ribéry is another of the players unavailable. The 32-year-old is still suffering from an ankle injury picked up on the 11th March. In addition, regulars Arjen Robben, Holger Badstuber and David Alaba are also missing.
Löw: "Of course Bayern have a chance against Barcelona"
"We’re not afraid," said Spaniard Javi Martínez ahead of his possible comeback in the Champions League. "If we want to win, we can’t be afraid." For defensive stalwart Boateng the game is not just about the back row being solid against Messi and Co. "They certainly have an outstanding attack, but it’s about how we deal with it as a team," explained the World Champion. "We all have to defend together and prevent them from getting into their stride."
Germany manager Joachim Löw also believes that Bayern have every chance to get a result at Camp Nou. "Of course Bayern have a chance against Barcelona. Even if Barcelona seem to be on better form at the moment, Bayern still have enough quality in their ranks, despite the injuries, to stand up to Barca," he commented.
Messi: "I learnt a lot from Guardiola"
Lionel Messi knows this only too well. On the 13th July 2014, Argentina lost the World Cup Final in Rio against a Germany side which included some Bayern stars like Bastian Schweinsteiger. It’s hardly surprising then that he has such a high level of respect for the team that won the treble in the 2012-13 season. "First of all, we have to overcome this outstanding side," remarked the World Cup runner-up. Nevertheless, Barca are "obliged to make it through to the final." He’s looking forward to the encounter with his former manager Pep Guardiola. "I learnt a lot from him," said Messi about the current Bayern manager.
The four-time FIFA World Player of the Year spoke about his teammates Luis Suárez and Neymar currently being in excellent form. "I’m very fortunate to play with such good players. Luis and Neymar are world class. We get on very well both on and off the pitch," he commented. Messi doesn’t see himself as a leader though. "I consider myself just another player in the team."
Enrique: "Pep is the best manager"
Nevertheless, Luis Enrique has granted Lionel Messi total freedom to move around in attacking situations. "I’m never afraid of the opposition. I have great respect for Bayern and their playing strengths but no fear – only motivation to beat them," commented the Barça manager.
He is especially looking forward to the reunion with his long-time friend Guardiola. "Pep has made his mark on this team," said the 44-year-old. "He is the best manager and my friend. He knows exactly what we’re going to do – he knows my managerial approach and style. It’s obviously going to be very tricky but these are the most attractive games and the ones you want to be a part of. There are always things that surprise you but we’ve dealt well already with lots of problems this season and will try to also do this against Bayern and diminish the threats they pose."
He doesn’t believe that Bayern’s long injury list puts Barcelona at any advantage. "Bayern are a very strong team, who can easily cope with the injuries. They’re just as good as before." There‘s "no favourite" going into the clash. The stage appears to be set for a fantastic evening of football.
created by mmc/kr
No time for sentiments – for Pep Guardiola, his return to his old club is all about inflicting a painful defeat on Barcelona in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final. It is indeed "something special, but it’s also just a match that we want to win," said the Bayern München manager ahead of the meeting with his old club at the Camp Nou this evening (20:45 CEST).
Although Robert Lewandowski, who will wear a mask should he feature, declared himself fit ahead of the trip, Pep Guardiola’s side go into the tie as outsiders. The Spanish daily newspaper Sport has christened the game the "next fight of the century" after the Mayweather-Pacquiao boxing match.
108 goals so far this season for Messi, Neymar and Suarez
Despite the long injury list and the prolific attacking prowess of Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez and Neymar, who have scored 108 goals between them in all competitions so far this season, Bayern, who will welcome Barcelona in the return leg on the 12th May (20:45 CEST), feel comfortable with the expectations on their shoulders ahead of the match. Captain Philipp Lahm believes that it doesn’t matter which side is given the favourites tag before the encounter. "We want to play good football and definitely want to score," he explained. "I think we’re capable of doing just that," added Thomas Müller.
Bayern are relying upon Guardiola’s knowledge of the opposition. "Everything has to be taken into consideration but Pep will come up with a good approach," said President Karl Hopfner. "The manager knows them better than anyone else. He’ll outline a clear game plan," stressed Müller.
Nevertheless, Chief Executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge warned of and hopes his club can avoid a repeat of 2009. FC Bayern, who were managed by Jürgen Klinsmann at that time, lost 4-0 at Camp Nou and then could only muster a 1-1 draw in the return leg of the quarterfinals and were knocked out of the competition. "The semi-final shouldn’t be settled by the result in Barcelona. Ideally, we have to score," remarked Rummenigge. He knows that "we’re not favourites but we’re not travelling their without any hope of returning with a positive result either."
Bayern without Robben, Ribéry, Rode, Alaba and Badstuber
Thiago, who came through the ranks at Barcelona under the guidance of Guardiola, doesn’t believe that his side will show the opposition too much respect out on the pitch. "We’re all professionals and therefore aren’t afraid of other players," he said. Not even when one of the opposition is Messi. Javi Martínez further emphasised this point, stating that the team’s big aim is making it through to the final on the 6th June in Berlin.
It’s a depleted and injury-hit Bayern side going into their fifth Champions League semi-final in the past six years. A new name recently added to the list of players sidelined is Sebastian Rode, who is suffering with a muscle injury. Franck Ribéry is another of the players unavailable. The 32-year-old is still suffering from an ankle injury picked up on the 11th March. In addition, regulars Arjen Robben, Holger Badstuber and David Alaba are also missing.
Löw: "Of course Bayern have a chance against Barcelona"
"We’re not afraid," said Spaniard Javi Martínez ahead of his possible comeback in the Champions League. "If we want to win, we can’t be afraid." For defensive stalwart Boateng the game is not just about the back row being solid against Messi and Co. "They certainly have an outstanding attack, but it’s about how we deal with it as a team," explained the World Champion. "We all have to defend together and prevent them from getting into their stride."
Germany manager Joachim Löw also believes that Bayern have every chance to get a result at Camp Nou. "Of course Bayern have a chance against Barcelona. Even if Barcelona seem to be on better form at the moment, Bayern still have enough quality in their ranks, despite the injuries, to stand up to Barca," he commented.
Messi: "I learnt a lot from Guardiola"
Lionel Messi knows this only too well. On the 13th July 2014, Argentina lost the World Cup Final in Rio against a Germany side which included some Bayern stars like Bastian Schweinsteiger. It’s hardly surprising then that he has such a high level of respect for the team that won the treble in the 2012-13 season. "First of all, we have to overcome this outstanding side," remarked the World Cup runner-up. Nevertheless, Barca are "obliged to make it through to the final." He’s looking forward to the encounter with his former manager Pep Guardiola. "I learnt a lot from him," said Messi about the current Bayern manager.
The four-time FIFA World Player of the Year spoke about his teammates Luis Suárez and Neymar currently being in excellent form. "I’m very fortunate to play with such good players. Luis and Neymar are world class. We get on very well both on and off the pitch," he commented. Messi doesn’t see himself as a leader though. "I consider myself just another player in the team."
Enrique: "Pep is the best manager"
Nevertheless, Luis Enrique has granted Lionel Messi total freedom to move around in attacking situations. "I’m never afraid of the opposition. I have great respect for Bayern and their playing strengths but no fear – only motivation to beat them," commented the Barça manager.
He is especially looking forward to the reunion with his long-time friend Guardiola. "Pep has made his mark on this team," said the 44-year-old. "He is the best manager and my friend. He knows exactly what we’re going to do – he knows my managerial approach and style. It’s obviously going to be very tricky but these are the most attractive games and the ones you want to be a part of. There are always things that surprise you but we’ve dealt well already with lots of problems this season and will try to also do this against Bayern and diminish the threats they pose."
He doesn’t believe that Bayern’s long injury list puts Barcelona at any advantage. "Bayern are a very strong team, who can easily cope with the injuries. They’re just as good as before." There‘s "no favourite" going into the clash. The stage appears to be set for a fantastic evening of football.
