Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola expects Manchester United to sit back in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday.
The Premier League champions held the Bavarians to a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford last week with a rather defensive strategy and the Spaniard is expecting his Red Devils counterpart David Moyes to employ similar tactics in the return.
“I think they will sit very deep. They play very defensively and always look to counter – it is something they do very, very well,” Guardiola said at a press conference.
“It’s never easy against English teams. United are a very big team. Before the first game, everybody was talking about Bayern, but now people know that Manchester can win in Munich.
“But we’re playing at home. That’s an important factor. If we win, we are through. If not, we are out. It will come down to small details. Our players know, after the experience in Manchester, how United play. My players know their strength and weaknesses. “
Guardiola then went on to discuss the possibility that the tie will be decided by spot kicks and stressed that the mental aspect of the game could play a major role.
“Penalties are less about technique and more about courage,” the former Barcelona boss mused. “It is all in the head.”
Bayern will be without key players such as Bastian Schweinsteiger, Javi Martinez and Thiago Alcantara due to suspension and injury and Guardiola admitted that he has limited options to choose from.
“We only have 14 first-team players so I have not got too many options,” the former Spain international confessed.
Source: Goal