Joachim Löw has sent words of encouragement to FC Bayern ahead of the semifinal in the Camp Nou (20:45). The national team manager has faith that the Munich side can make it to the final, despite the current injury problems, when they face FC Barcelona. “Of course Bayern have a chance against Barcelona”, claimed the 55 year old to the Bild-Zeitung, as they have the “home advantage in the second leg.”
Löw continued: “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.” They have “at least six World Cup winners available.” Mario Götze, who scored Germany’s winner in the final in Brazil, but has been publicly criticised recently, also remains important to the team: “We shouldn’t forget how young Mario still is”, warned Löw. “We’ve seen how good he is more than enough times.”
In principle though Löw is looking forward to “two fantastic football teams.” The Germany manager doubts that Bayern manager Pep Guardiola’s prior knowledge about his former club Barcelona will have any advantage for the German champions. “It will be a very emotional game for him”, believes Löw. “He played in Barcelona and had phenomenal success there as a manager. Whether or not he can use that to his advantage? I don’t think so. At this level there are hardly any surprises and you can be sure that both sides will know everything there is to know about the other.”
Joachim Löw has sent words of encouragement to FC Bayern ahead of the semifinal in the Camp Nou (20:45). The national team manager has faith that the Munich side can make it to the final, despite the current injury problems, when they face FC Barcelona. “Of course Bayern have a chance against Barcelona”, claimed the 55 year old to the Bild-Zeitung, as they have the “home advantage in the second leg.”
Löw continued: “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.” They have “at least six World Cup winners available.” Mario Götze, who scored Germany’s winner in the final in Brazil, but has been publicly criticised recently, also remains important to the team: “We shouldn’t forget how young Mario still is”, warned Löw. “We’ve seen how good he is more than enough times.”
In principle though Löw is looking forward to “two fantastic football teams.” The Germany manager doubts that Bayern manager Pep Guardiola’s prior knowledge about his former club Barcelona will have any advantage for the German champions. “It will be a very emotional game for him”, believes Löw. “He played in Barcelona and had phenomenal success there as a manager. Whether or not he can use that to his advantage? I don’t think so. At this level there are hardly any surprises and you can be sure that both sides will know everything there is to know about the other.”
