Bayern Munich vs Monchengladbach - Pep Guardiola predictably upbeat as Bayern Munich seek to wrap up another title

Posted Friday, April 29, 2016 by PA

Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola told reporters they "cannot imagine" how happy he is as he prepares to pick up his third successive Bundesliga title this weekend.

A win over Borussia Monchengladbach would guarantee the record German champions the title for the 25th time, and for a record fourth time in a row.

For Guardiola, it would mean a hat-trick of wins in his three years with the club and not even the 1-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid in the first leg of a Champions League semi-final in midweek could dampen his spirits ahead of Saturday's key clash.

"I'm really happy with 75 minutes of the game in Madrid," he said at a press conference in Munich on Friday.

"I'm full of energy for the coming week. You cannot imagine how happy I am. We want to reach our objectives."

Should Bayern win at the Allianz Arena, it would be the first time they have clinched the title at the venue, and the first time since 2000 that they could celebrate at the final whistle in front of their own fans.

Guardiola would inevitably face a shower of beer from his players, as has become tradition down the years, but he says he has no control over that.

"What I can do is prepare the team really well for the game," said the Catalan. "We have a lot of respect for Gladbach and I know what to say to my players.

"But what my players do after the game, I can't influence that."

He hopes nevertheless that there will be some celebrations as that would enable Bayern to focus fully on Tuesday's return leg against Atletico without having to worry about still needing points to clinch the Bundesliga title.

Second-placed Borussia Dortmund are seven points behind and if they beat Wolfsburg and Bayern drop points, the race for the title would continue.

"I think it would be good for our game against Madrid if we're already champions," Guardiola said.

"But I don't think it would make us any less ready if we don't clinch the title - it doesn't have any influence, I don't think."

If everything does go according to plan, Guardiola may be able to give Jerome Boateng a slice of the action after a three-month injury absence, making him an option for Tuesday.

Gladbach will be out to ensure things do not go according to plan, at least not Bayern's plan.

They are chasing down Bayer Leverkusen and Hertha Berlin for a place in the Champions League next season and they need points to remain in that race.

"You always need a bit of luck to beat Bayern, but you need courage too," said Gladbach coach Andre Schubert, whose side could complete a double over Bayern having won the reverse fixture 3-1.

"We will be watching that game again to see what we did right, but also to see where we had problems."

The Foals travel to Munich, where they have won twice in the last four years, trailing third-placed Leverkusen by six points and Hertha Berlin by one point. They both meet on Saturday evening.