Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola is wary of the threat posed by tonight’s Champions League opponents Shakhtar Donetsk.
The Bavarian giants topped their Champions League group after winning five of their six games, and they have continued their onslaught in the Bundesliga after winning the league in the last two seasons. Guardiola’s side comfortably sit atop the table, eight points ahead of their nearest rivals Wolfsburg.
Shakhtar have won their last five domestic titles and are coming into the Bayern Munich tie sitting second in the Ukrainian Premier League.
Having encountered Mircea Lucescu’s side several times during his four-year tenure at Barcelona, Guardiola is wary of the threat posed by Shakhtar Donetsk. He is especially concerned by their central defenders and quick midfielders.
“As the Barcelona coach I came up against Shakhtar four or five times. They have outstanding central defenders and excellent Brazilian midfielders, very quick players”, Guardiola told the club site.
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The Catalan further added that Lucescu’s side have extensive experience of playing in European football’s premier competition and they have become better for the experience.
“They have bags of experience in this competition.”
A win tonight for Guardiola’s side will help them get a strong foothold in the tie ahead of the return leg scheduled to be played in March.
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