Bayern Munich's coach and players will have a new challenge upon them, when they meet against Shakthar Donetsk tomorrow in a country experiencing the cruelty of war. For Guardiola and some of his players like Robben and Thomas Müller, this is not a comfortable situation, even if the game will not take place at the damaged Donbass Arena of Donetsk.
"Of course I'm worried, but first of all, what worries me the most is the situation the locals are enduring. That's the thing that's been going around in my mind," Guardiola revealed. The club's president Karl-Heinz Rumenigge also stated that, even though it's not a usual situation for them, "it's a decision made by UEFA and even if we don't like it, we have to go and play there," the team's exec added.
Robben and Müller, troubled by playing during war times
But if Guardiola's approach on the game is totally humanitarian, German striker Thomas Müller and Dutch wingman Arjen Robben also revealed their thoughts about going to play in a country with such social problems.
"It's a surreal situation. I know football and politics should never be mixed, but we as footballers cannot close our eyes when you see something as serious as that going on," the German stated.
Similarly, Arjen Robben dismissed it would be easy to concentrate with that kind of environment surrounding them.
"It's not like you go over there and disconnect from everything that's happening. It's something that will be rolling around inside our heads. Yes, we play football, but first of all, we are human beings," Robben added.
