Bayern tweeted after the game that Robben had been withdrawn as a precaution, a luxury that was afforded to them by scoring three times in the opening 20 minutes. The Spaniard also praised his players” character, giving them “huge credit’ for having qualified with a game to spare.
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Arsenal kept alive their hopes of reaching the Champions League last 16 for a 16th straight season when they beat Dinamo Zagreb 3-0 while Bayern Munich did them a favour by thrashing Olympiakos Piraeus in Group F on Tuesday. Robert Lewandowski doubled the lead seven minutes later before Thomas Müller tapped in the third. Defender Holger Badstuber was sent off in 53rd minute on his first start after nine months out with a knee injury for downing Ideye Brown.
“It’s always important to finish first”, the former Germany captain said.
Guardiola wants to be prepared for all possible situations, or he at least tries to be. The defeat is not so damaging in Premier League terms – Arsenal is only two points off top spot in fourth – but further failure against Dinamo on Tuesday would spell the end of the Champions League campaign.
But for now, Guardiola is in Munich with all of his heart. A draw with Bayern would be the ideal result for both teams, putting them both through to the knockout rounds, but don’t expect Bayern to just lie down and let that result come.
According to coach Josep Guardiola, Bayern will not underestimate Olympiacos today.
“Have Bayern Munich changed anything to get closer?” Scholes feels United would have won more Champions Leagues themselves between 2007 and 2011 had it not been for Barcelona, because they had by then perfected their tactical approach in Europe. It was dominant football and highlighted just how good this team is. “We will give absolutely everything to stay in the Champions League”.
Like two trains who are similarly built running alongside each other, the tracks Bayern and Barcelona are on are heading towards glory once more but their pathways look destined to meet.
Vieirinha, Josuha Guilavogui, Bas Dost and Kruse again completed the rout, giving Roger Schmidt’s men a much-needed confidence boost.
“I think the biggest thing we did was we stopped playing two up front away from home”, Scholes told ESPN FC, speaking from the BT green room, where he analysed this week’s Champions League.
Maybe that is why Guardiola loves the wind of chance more than ever.
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These teams sit on top of their group’s standings, so we know we’re in for quite the match today.
