Bayern Munich vs Barcelona preview - Heynckes avoids Pep talk

Posted Tuesday, April 23, 2013 by PA

Bayern Munich coach Jupp Heynckes has not sought any advice from former Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola ahead of his side's Champions League semi-final tie against the Catalans.

Guardiola will be replacing Heynckes in the Bayern dugout this summer and his history as Barcelona coach, with whom he won the Champions League twice, could have given Heynckes some useful insights into their opponents at the Allianz Arena.

However, Heynckes, while displaying his respect for his successor, reiterated he does not need any help in preparing the for biggest game of his side's season so far.

"I admire Pep Guardiola, but I don't need any advice from other coaches," he said at the pre-match press conference in Munich.

"I know my team better than anybody and I also know a lot about Spanish football and Barcelona.

"There has been no kind of contact (with Guardiola) at all."

Bayern are on the brink of making it to their third final in four years in arguably one of the greatest periods in the German club's history.

Having sealed the Bundesliga title sooner than any other club they have skittled numerous domestic records, while the manner of their 6-1 victory at Hannover last Saturday shows they are not done yet.

Furthermore, they have reached the final of the DFB-Pokal and are therefore on course for an historic treble.

It could nevertheless turn out to be a disappointing season if Bayern fail to lift Europe's ultimate club trophy, although a repeat of last season's final defeat to Chelsea is no longer in the memory.

"Bayern are currently playing the most modern, contemporary football in the history of this club," added Heynckes, who has yet to confirm whether or not he will be retiring when his contract expires at the end of June.

"We will not be wasting any thoughts on the failure against Chelsea last year.

"We have a plan for the game."

Barcelona assistant coach Jordi Roura knows the Catalans face the sternest test of their Champions League credentials.

The Spaniards, who have won the trophy twice in the past five years and are into their sixth straight semi-final, arrived in Munich needing only to glance at the Bundesliga table to realise what they are up against.

With 81 points, 20 more than their nearest rivals and fellow Champions League semi-finalists Borussia Dortmund, just one defeat in 30 matches and 89 goals scored compared to just 14 conceded, Bayern's domestic record is frightening.

Add to that a 6-1 humbling of Wolfsburg in a DFB-Pokal semi-final a week ago, and the same scoreline to sweep Hannover aside in the Bundesliga on Saturday, then it is clear to see why Barca have arrived in Bavaria with plenty of respect for their hosts.

"It is going to be a very tight tie," assistant coach Roura told reporters as he stood in for Tito Vilanova at the pre-match press conference.

"It will probably come down to nuances. The side who manages to impose themselves the most on the game will have the best chance.

"We know how good Bayern are, and we know it's going to be hard not only tomorrow, but in the tie overall."

The Allianz Arena will be packed with 65,000 fans also looking forward to the game with many among the home faithful also eager to catch a glimpse of three-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi.

They will have to wait until an hour before kick-off to find out if the Argentinian will start, however, with Roura not wanting to reveal too much.

Messi, who has scored eight goals in the competition so far this season, three more than Bayern's top scorer Thomas Muller, has missed Barca's last three league games due to a hamstring injury which makes him a doubt.

"He's been feeling good over the past few days, but I don't know how he will feel," Roura said.

"We'll make a decision tomorrow after consulting with the doctors.

"He is a special player and whether he plays or not will make a difference."