Bayern Munich Coach Pep Guardiola warns Juventus are still “a very strong team” despite an injury crisis.
The Bianconeri travel to Germany for the second leg of their Champions League Last 16 tie without key men Paulo Dybala, Claudio Marchisio and Giorgio Chiellini, but the Spaniard doesn’t expect an easy game.
Bayern Munich Coach Pep Guardiola warns Juventus are still “a very strong team” despite an injury crisis.
The Bianconeri travel to Germany for the second leg of their Champions League Last 16 tie without key men Paulo Dybala, Claudio Marchisio and Giorgio Chiellini, but the Spaniard doesn’t expect an easy game.
“Juventus are always the same, that’s the spirit of the team,” Guardiola explained to assembled journalists in his pre-match Press conference.
“Maybe tomorrow [Alvaro] Morata will play instead of [Mario] Mandzukic, or maybe both. Marchisio won’t play, but then Hernanes played in the first leg.
“Chiellini didn’t play in Turin, so I don’t think there will be too many changes if you compare to the first leg.
“Juventus remain the strong team they were before. I’ve played in the Italian League, and I know the mentality in Italy.
“They’ve won a lot of titles with that squad and the mentality they have. Whether Marchisio is there or not, they remain the same team, they remain dangerous.
“They’re great champions, they’ll wait for their chances. They’re very strong in defence, but they also have the quality to hurt you in attack, and they do that very well in Italy.
“They’re one of the best teams in Italy, in an attacking sense too.
“After the game we played against them, my opinion of them hasn’t changed. In fact, it’s become even higher, they’re a very strong team.”
With the tie poised at 2-2, is Guardiola more worried or excited about tomorrow’s game?
“I’ve never worried about the Champions League. Sorry, but I’m privileged to be able to experience this game tomorrow.
“The eyes of Europe will be on us, it’s a great joy for me, it’s never been a worry.
“I know we can win and I know we can lose. If we lose the next few days will be tough, if we win then we have to think about Saturday’s game.
“We can’t play 90 minutes thinking about the result, we do what we have to do, do as well as we can.
“We don’t just have to attack well, but defend well too, take advantage of our strengths.”
Arjen Robben picked up an injury in training yesterday, is he likely to be available?
“I don’t know yet,” Guardiola admitted.
“I hope so, but I don’t know.”