Guardiola: 'Juve have quality'

By Football Italia staff

Pep Guardiola admits Bayern Munich have injury problems, but “we’ll try to play our usual game” against “quality” Juventus.

The first leg of the Champions League Round of 16 kicks off tomorrow at 19.45 GMT.

“This stage of the Champions League is always complicated, it doesn’t matter who the opponent is,” said Guardiola in a Press conference.

“Juventus have done great things in recent years, first with Antonio Conte and now Max Allegri. They started this season badly, but then grew so much. They just won 15 games in a row, so I expect a very entertaining game.”

Bayern are certainly weakened in Turin with injuries particularly hitting hard in defence.

“It’s true we have only two centre-backs available, but what can we do? This is the situation, we can’t complain about it. We will try to play our usual game with the players at our disposal. Everyone who has come with us to Turin is available to play.

“Juve are in great shape at the moment and concede few goals. We’ll try to do something different to usual.

“Could Arturo Vidal play in defence? He can play in various different positions, so it’s a possibility. Arjen Robben played in the middle during out last game because we needed him in that position. We have many alternatives and Mario Götze can play centrally too.

“Juventus are a side of quality. You can’t win four consecutive Scudetto titles, fight for a fifth and reach the Champions League Final without it.

“I expect them to press us high up the pitch and if we escape that pressing game then clam up to wait for us and go on the counter-attack. I might be wrong, of course.

“It would be important for us to score an away goal, but Juve have a very strong defence and it’s up to us to play with intelligence. We’ll try to win the first leg and then control the second.

“Compared to last season we have a much bigger squad with men who can take players on. Of course, so do Juve.”

Guardiola was asked which Juve players he would like to have in his team.

“Oh that’s a difficult one… Bonucci, Marchisio, then there’s Pogba, Dybala, Buffon, Evra, Lichtsteiner… They are a fast team, while Pogba and Marchisio help out in defence. We have to avoid their quick counters.”

The Coach was also somewhat irritated by a few questions, including one about his future at Manchester City (“this is not the place for that”) and whether leaving Bayern Munich without the Champions League would be a failure.

“Anyone who judges me only for the Champions League doesn’t realise that my life does not depend on that. I want to win the Champions League too, but I have found a new culture and my objectives have been achieved.

“At Barcelona I won everything and won it again. I wanted to try a new experience, just as I will change again. There is so much more to my life than football.”

Guardiola famously has a close rapport with his former Brescia Coach Carlo Mazzone, so is the Italian invited to tomorrow's game?

"No, I'll invite him to the Final."

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