BERLIN — Bayern Munich is on a mission with coach Pep Guardiola firing up his injury-hit team as it seeks to reverse a 3-1 deficit against Porto in the Champions League quarterfinal second leg Tuesday. The five-time European champion, which has reached the final three times since 2010, finds itself in the unusual position of having to come from behind.
Guardiola, who has only ever recorded wins as player and coach against Porto, will also be forced to try to turn things around without several of his leading lights.
“People do not know how difficult our situation is,” he told reporters after Bayern's 2-0 victory over Hoffenheim Saturday that kept it on course for the Bundesliga title.
“I will never in my life forget these months and I am proud of the team. Now we have on Tuesday the most important Champions League game. It will of course be difficult but this is our big goal.”
Bayern players need all the pep talk they can get with Arjen Robben, David Alaba, Medhi Benatia and Javi Martinez certain to miss the game at the Allianz Arena.
Winger Franck Ribery is also highly unlikely to be fit for the German champion after being sidelined for five weeks with an ankle injury.
Bastian Schweinsteiger, who had been out for two weeks with an ankle knock, did not play Saturday due to a virus but should be fit along with captain Philipp Lahm.
Porto is in fine form, having yet to lose in the Champions League this season and showing superb focus in the first leg to contain Bayern.
The Portuguese edged past Academica Coimbra 1-0 in the league, with coach Julen Lopotegui making nine changes to the squad that beat Bayern.
The last time the Porto went through to the last four was when it won the trophy in 2004.
Barca must stand firm Barcelona's lethal attack has put it on course for a seventh Champions League semifinal place in eight years but its shaky defense gives Paris Saint Germain a glimmer of hope Tuesday.
The Catalan side is renowned for the quick passing possession game that brought it so much success under Guardiola, but now coach Luis Enrique is looking to triumph with a more direct approach.
Luis Enrique remains on track to emulate his predecessor and win the treble in his first season in charge, using a style of play based around the quality of his forwards.
Atletico Madrid, last season, is the only team to have stopped Barca getting to the semifinals of the Champions League since 2007 and it would take something special from PSG to deny it.
PSG warmed up for the Camp Nou showdown with a 3-1 victory over Nice and has Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Marco Verratti back after missing the first leg through suspension. — Agencies
