Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola (Photo: EFE)
Munich, Germany – Bayern Munich's Spanish manager, Pep Guardiola, said his team will attempt to achieve the impossible on Tuesday in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League semifinal against Barcelona, saying, "We are down three goals against one of the best teams in Europe of the last 15 years."
In a press conference held at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Guardiola, who managed Barcelona until 2012, said that the German team needs to control the play.
"They have outstanding counter-attacking players. If we don't keep our shape, they'll punish us brutally," the Spaniard said, according to Bayern Munich's official website.
Barcelona's attacking flair was in evidence last week during the first leg of the semifinal, which the Spanish team won 3-0, with the Argentinian Lionel Messi scoring two goals and setting up Neymar for the third.
Guardiola pointed out that his squad is missing stars Arjen Robben and Franck Ribéry, both players who can create space up front.
He stated that he is satisfied that, despite the injuries, Bayern reached the Champions League semifinals – the team was knocked out in the semis last year, Guardiola's first with the team, by eventual champion Real Madrid. Guardiola won two Champions League titles in his four seasons at Barcelona.
European media accounts this week suggested that the Spanish manager won't be back at Bayern next year, and claimed that he was being courted by English club Manchester City.
At Monday's press conference denied having had any contact with Man City, adding that his contract with Bayern runs until the end of next season.
"I'll be here next season," Guardiola said.
Based on reporting by EFE.
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