Bayern Munich boss Pep Guardiola will come face to face with the player he created, the world’s finest, Lionel Messi, when the Bundesliga champions travel to face Barcelona in the Champions League semi-finals.
However, ahead of the game, the Spanish tactician admitted that stopping the four-time Ballon d’Or winner could prove impossible; claiming no defenders in the world can halt the Argentine when in form, whilst also hailing his Brazilian team-mate Neymar.
"If he's on the sort of form I think he is, no defence can stop him. That's impossible. There's no defensive system. He's too good. In light of that, we'll have to try to limit him another way: stay close to him, stop him getting the ball easily, close down the gaps... But it's still going to be tough, because you can't defend against talent."
"What makes Messi and Neymar different is that just when you think they're going to pop up on the right they come at you on the left. That's why they have an edge. But they don't know what my players are like either, and we'll try to surprise them there."
Guardiola, who spent four successful seasons as the Blaugrana manager, stated his side will have a slim chance of making the final if they fail to grab an away goal on Wednesday. The 44-year-old also confessed that he doesn’t know how he will react if Bayern scores, in an era where celebrating goals against your former team in considered as treachery.
"I don't think it will end 0-0, but anything can happen. It's almost impossible to return to Munich still in with a chance if we don't score at least one goal.”
"I don't know how I'll celebrate, but I'll be very happy. My respect for Barça doesn't depend on how I celebrate a goal. I'm here to win."
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