Barcelona: Lionel Messi believes former Barca boss Pep Guardiola will not leave anything to chance when he takes his Bayern Munich side to the Camp Nou for the first-leg of their Champions League semi-final on Wednesday.
However, despite winning 14 trophies in a stunning four-year spell in charge of Barca between 2008 and 2012, the four-time World Player of the Year doesn’t think his inside knowledge of the Catalans will be a big advantage to the German champions over the two legs. (Barcelona vs Bayern Munich Factfile)
“He was with us for a long time and we had the luck to win many title and experience important moments. He is a coach that studies everything,” said the Argentine on Tuesday.
“It is the same for both sides. Pep knows us very well and we know what he asks of his players. It is 50-50, we both know each other very well.” (Luis Enrique Shining in Pep Guardiola’s Shadow)
Barca also have revenge on their minds, though, after Bayern inflicted their heaviest ever European defeat in a 7-0 thrashing at the same stage of the competition two years ago.
“We need to prepare for the game knowing what it means playing in a semi-final of the Champions League and against a great team.
“That semi-final hurt us a lot, but a lot of time has passed since. We come into the game differently, as do they, and it will be a different tie to that one.”
Guardiola is expected to get a hero’s welcome on his first visit to the Camp Nou in the opposition camp after 15 years at the club as a player and coach. However, Messi is confident sentiment will be left to one side once the game starts and a place in the final in Berlin on June 6 is at stake. (afp)
