We will be heroes if we beat Bayern and qualify for the next stage. Our last competitive game was ten weeks ago, and you all know about the conditions we have been working under this season. Almost everyone will tell you that Bayern are going through, especially after their 8-0 win in the last league match.
Bayern have played four competitive games this year, so their coach knows very well the potential of his players, while we have had friendlies and we will only see the players' condition tomorrow.
Bayern are clear favourites. They are one of the best teams in the world with a great coach who loves his work very much.
In the last two seasons he has changed Bayern and made them play like a Latin side. He is creating a unique team, but there are always chances in a two-legged tie. Sometimes logic doesn't apply in football. We have 13 Brazilians in the squad who are dreaming of exacting revenge against Bayern's six world champions.
It's a pity we are without [midfielder] Taras Stepanenko – he is a very important player for us. I hope whoever replaces him will be able to carry out his duties on the pitch. Bernard? He's not [such] a big loss for us as he has never been a [regular] starter for Shakhtar. We have Taison and Marlos who can play on the left wing.
Josep Guardiola, Bayern coach
I respect Shakhtar and Mircea Lucescu a lot. He is a very clever coach who has put together one of the best teams in Europe. I played against Shakhtar five times with Barcelona and although we had a really amazing squad it was always difficult. You may remember the UEFA Super Cup when we scored only in extra time. Once we were defeated at home by Shakhtar.
I told my players: 'If you beat Shakhtar then you can be very proud because they really are one of the top teams.' They have a great striker in Luiz Adriano. Douglas Costa, Marlos, Taison, Alex Teixeira are all great players. And I have special words for their captain Darijo Srna. I have watched him a lot for club and country. He would be a talisman in any team in the world.
If we play below our level we can be knocked out by Shakhtar. We are in good form and a good mood. Franck Ribéry is ready to play while Xabi Alonso trained well yesterday and today, but his fitness is still open to question. We'll make a decision tomorrow afternoon. Hopes for the final? We have a long way to go yet. Tomorrow's game is the first step.
Source: http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=2015/matches/round=2000549/match=2014410/prematch/preview/
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