Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola says he accepts the idea that he must win this season's Champions League for his spell in Germany to be deemed a success, when speaking ahead of Wednesday's semifinal first leg at Atletico Madrid.

Guardiola's first two years at Bayern have brought UCL semifinal exits to La Liga opposition -- losing to eventual winners Real Madrid in 2013-14 and Barcelona 12 months back after suffering first leg defeats away from home.

The former Barcelona coach's time in Bavaria looks sure to bring three consecutive Bundesliga titles, before he joins Manchester City next summer, but there remains a feeling that he must match the achievements of previous Bayern boss Jupp Heynckes and deliver European success.

The Catalan told the pregame news conference at the Estadio Vicente Calderon that he accepted that view was held in Munich -- although he personally felt he had become a better coach and person during his time at Bayern.

"Three semis in three years is not something that every team does," Guardiola said. "I have read in Munich that without winning the Champions League, the work would not be complete. I must accept that. But I am very fortunate to have lived and worked three years in Germany.

"I am a better coach, a better guy, more relaxed, I have enjoyed it a lot. We will try and reach the final, as we did against Madrid and Barcelona, and now this year against Atletico."

Guardiola said that he respected very much what Diego Simeone has done during his spell as Atletico coach, with the greatest praise being that Atletico are now ranked just as highly as Barca and Madrid all around Europe.

"We are very happy to be here -- we know that all semifinalists are difficult," he said. "The best trophy Atletico have achieved, with Diego Simeone and his team, is that they are now equals to Barcelona and Real Madrid, just as feared when they play in Europe.

"I have been outside Spain for five years, but have watched on the TV, and their consistency has been really impressive. Normally only the biggest teams can play every three days, and keep winning, season after season."

Simeone's side have a fearsome defensive reputation however they were a much better all-round team than people thought, Guardiola said.

"It is five years since I have played against them," he said. "But what I have seen is that they defend very well. But they do very many other things well -- not just defend.

"They are also very good at set-pieces, they have a very good team structure, they press well. They are fast on the counter-attack. To achieve what they have done, you have to do everything well, not just defend."

Guardiola pushed away a question as to whether he was worried about the atmosphere inside the Calderon for the game, while joking about Simeone being sent to the stands during Saturday's 1-0 La Liga win at home to Malaga after a second ball appeared on the playing surface.

"We have only spoken about the game, how we plan to play it against the opposition," he said. "Everything else is for the referee -- whether there is one ball, two balls, whatever happens. The rest we cannot influence."

It had not yet been decided whether defender Jerome Boateng had sufficiently recovered from a long-term groin injury to be able to play a part against Atletico, Guardiola said.

"Jerome is here with us," he said. "He has been three months without playing, but he has a lot of experience and great character. We will decide tomorrow."

Source:
courtesy of ESPNFC

by Dermot Corrigan

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