Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola remains confident of progressing to the Champions League finals despite losing the first leg to Atletico Madrid 1-0. Saul Niguez scored a stunning goal to hand the Bavarians a narrow defeat.
Guardiola made some questionable decisions during the match such as not starting Thomas Muller and he explained it as a purely strategic decision.
"The reason was purely tactical. I just wanted to play with one striker,” he told reporters.
"My experience of playing with two centre-forwards is not good. I wanted more control, but I love playing with Thomas Muller.
"In Lisbon, Robert Lewandowski sat out but we won. Then it was not an issue.
"In the end, I have to make a decision. It's not over yet, we still have a chance. [If it goes wrong] then you can kill me!"
Guardiola focusing on winning Bundesliga title
Guardiola’s Bayern Munich side can secure a fourth consecutive Bundesliga crown if they secure victory against Borussia Monchengladbach and the Spaniard said that the team was entirely focussed on that challenge.
“Our thoughts are only on Gladbach," he added. "They have a lot of quality. Alongside Dortmund they are perhaps the team in the Bundesliga with the most quality.
"They have good players, a good coach and a good sporting philosophy.
"We are not yet champions, but I hope the fans can celebrate tomorrow."
Guardiola also had little interest in discussing Bayern's apparent interest in Hummels, the Borussia Dortmund captain who has told the Westphalian club of his desire to rejoin the Bavarians before his contract at Signal Iduna Park expires in 2017.
"Not a question for me, sorry," was the response to a query on the issue put to Guardiola, who will leave Bayern at the end of the season to join Manchester City.
The future Manchester City manager was happier to talk about Jerome Boateng’s fitness calling him one of the best defenders in the world.
"If he is fit he is one of the best three central defenders. And if he is fit, he plays. No player is better than Jerome," he explained.
"I hope he can play tomorrow. But he will be ready for Tuesday.”
"I also hope for Carlo Ancelotti that he remains healthy next season."
