Bayer Leverkusen vs Bayern Munich preview - Guardiola wary of complacency

Posted Friday, May 01, 2015 by PA

Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola has admitted his biggest challenge this weekend is to keep his team focused on the task in hand as they head to Bayer Leverkusen.

Wednesday's Champions League semi-final tie with Barcelona is Bayern's priority, not least since they clinched the Bundesliga title last weekend, and Guardiola has not hidden the fact that his and his team's thoughts are already wandering.

"Of course we're looking ahead to Barcelona," he said at a press conference.

"We are looking to next week's semi-final, but we must first focus on Leverkusen.

"We've got problems with injuries and Leverkusen are still fighting for a place in the Champions League [group stage]. We, on the other hand, have already reached our goal."

All of that could play right into Leverkusen's hands as they look to snatch third place from the current incumbents Borussia Monchengladbach - the side they meet next weekend in what could be a decider for a place in the Champions League group stage or the play-off.

"If we want third place, then it is still completely down to us and to do that, we've now got to put a bit of a run together," said Leverkusen coach Roger Schmidt.

"It's a special game for us and it would be nice if we could beat Bayern at least once to crown our season."

Schmidt has almost all of his options for the visit of Bayern with Julian Brandt, on his 19th birthday, set to start again in an attack-minded formation.

Claudio Pizarro is set to lead the Bayern attack with Guardiola not keen on risking Robert Lewandowski after he fractured his nose and cheekbone in the DFB-Pokal defeat to Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday.

"He's concussed and has a broken nose - that's obviously tough for the first few days," Guardiola said.

"The doctor is the boss - if he says it would be risky, then he won't play."

Arjen Robben also misses out after his season was ended prematurely in midweek, while Franck Ribery is also still on the sidelines.