Guardiola: We still have 90 minutes

FC Bayern lost the Champions League semi-final first leg, but there is still everything to play for after the 1-0 reverse away to Atlético. “We still have 90 minutes, and I hope we'll make it with the support of our fans at the Allianz Arena,” Pep Guardiola commented, and added: “75 percent of our play was super. But at this level, in the Champions League, you need 90 instead of 75 good minutes, we know that.” Manuel Neuer commented: “In the first half we lacked aggression and courage. We did better in the second. It's a pity we didn't earn our reward.”

Reaction to Atlético v Bayern

Pep Guardiola: “75 percent of our play was super, the last 20, 25 minutes of the first half and the entire second half. We created enough chances. But at this level, in the Champions League, you need 90 instead of 75 good minutes, we know that. We have to learn from it and see to it that it doesn’t happen again on Tuesday. We must analyse what we did well and what not. We have to be very clever. The result isn't great. But we still have 90 minutes, and I hope we'll make it with the support of our fans at the Allianz Arena.”

Philipp Lahm: “We struggled a bit at the beginning. We didn't want to make any mistakes in our build-up play because Atlético are very, very dangerous in terms of switches of play. In the second half we created lots of chances but failed to score. We hadn't expected to create many chances, but it boosts our confidence to have created so many chances in 45 minutes. We have 90 more minutes at home. There's a superb atmosphere at the stadium, our crowd will noisily get behind us. We'll go for it from the beginning and try to turn it round.”

Manuel Neuer: “We were very well prepared for Atlético, but lacked aggression and courage in the first half. We did better in the second. It's a pity we didn't earn our reward with an away goal. We knew we'd still have 90 minutes in Munich, and we didn't want to concede a second goal. We'll give it everything in the return together with our fans. We believe in going through to the final. We'll do everything to achieve that.”

David Alaba: “We didn't get into the game as we had planned. The turf was very, very dry, we struggled with that. In the second half we did much better. We got well into the game then, went for the one-on-ones and tried to go ahead with our play. We created plenty of chances but failed to use them. We know we still have the return, and that we're able to play very well at home. With the support of our fans anything can happen in Munich. We'll give it everything.”

Xabi Alonso: “The first 15, 20 minutes weren't so good. It's always difficult to play here. The result could have been better, but I think we can beat them in the return. We're Bayern, we have to fight.”

Determined FCB ‘prepared for everything’

After the Bayern party landed in Madrid on Tuesday afternoon prior to the Champions League semi-final first leg against Atlético, the programme for the evening was not unduly arduous: transfer to the team hotel, check-in, a period of rest, an evening meal, and mental preparation. Before then, Pep Guardiola, Philipp Lahm and Xabi Alonso took a minor but compulsory excursion to the Estadio Vicente Calderón, where 150 media representatives from all over the globe attended the pre-match press conference. The FCB trio were visibly determined and excited as they looked forward to what everyone connected with the club hopes will be a triumphant Champions League night on Wednesday (Live in English from 20:45 CET on Twitter and fcbayern.de free Web Radio).

“Reaching the semi-finals is always wonderful and not something you can take for granted,” said club captain Lahm, “there are no favourites. Details and form on the day decide matches at this exceptionally high level. Both games will be close. I think the tie won’t be decided until the return.” Alonso is also expecting a tense encounter. Everyone is aware of Atlético’s strengths and the FCB stars have been treated to intensive analyses over the last few days, the midfielder declared, “but we’re ready, We’re determined to reach the final.”
Naturally, that is a goal shared by Guardiola, especially in the light of Bayern’s failure to progress beyond the last four in both previous seasons. However, nothing can be cast in stone, the coach said: “Atlético are on a par with Barcelona and Real Madrid. They defend very well, but there’s more to it than that. Their pressing is good, they counter-attack well and they’re very flexible. But I’m still relatively relaxed.”

FCB aim for away goal

Guardiola is glad that Jérôme Boateng has returned. Three months on the sidelines are a long time, “but he's very experienced, he has great character,” the Catalan said, declining to rule out a return to the starting line-up for the Germany international. “Jérôme is one of the best centre-backs in the world. We'll see, we'll decide at short notice,” added the FCB head coach.

Lahm will definitely make the starting line-up. The FCB skipper stressed the importance of an away goal. “We didn't manage that in the semi-finals in the last few years. It would put us in a better position to go through at home,” the 32-year-old commented. Lahm added that Bayern must not let the special atmosphere at the Estadio Vicente Calderón knock them out of their stride: “We know what can happen here. We mustn't be concerned with the surroundings, but keep calm. We're prepared for everything!”

FCB TURN ONTO HOME STRAIGHT IN BERLIN

On Tuesday Bayern booked a berth in Berlin by beating Werder Bremen in the DFB Cup semi-finals. Four days later the German record champions will get an early feel for the turf at the Olympic stadium in the German capital, because the men from Munich travel to face Hertha BSC on Saturday (Live in English from 15.30 CET on Twitter and FCB.tv Web Radio), where Thomas Müller & Co aim to take three important points in the final push for the championship.

“We've laid down a good foundation,” the Germany international commented, contemplating FCB’s excellent position in the race for the Bundesliga title. “Now we're onto the home straight in the championship, and we want to wrap it up as soon as possible.” The three points at stake in Berlin are thus vital, so “it's our goal” to harvest the maximum, announced the forward.

GUARDIOLA PRAISES DARDAI'S TROOPS

“If we win it's almost over,” said Pep Guardiola, who issued a warning before the “final” away to Hertha. “They've had an outstanding season.” The FCB head coach has analysed the hosts and detected “fit and strong” players, who will be “very confident” despite the 3-0 cup semi-final defeat to Dortmund in midweek, according to the Catalan. That is hardly surprising: Hertha have not lost in ten Bundesliga matches on their home field.

Zest has replaced the disappointment at the cup defeat. “We can achieve something very beautiful in the remaining matches,” explained left-back Marvin Plattenhardt. The side lying fourth in the table are almost certain to seal a Europa League berth, but is that all? “They're in an excellent position to qualify for the Champions League,” added Guardiola.

'HAVE TO DO OUR HOMEWORK'

Xabi Alonso, who served a one-match ban in last week’s 3-0 victory over Schalke, is available for selection again. Jérôme Boateng took part in the squad programme on Friday, but did not join his team-mates on the trip. There is “no chance” of Arjen Robben playing either, according to Guardiola. The Dutchman is likely to miss the Champions League semi-final first leg in Madrid too. But Europe's elite club competition is not yet a topic in any case, stressed the Catalan: “We only have Hertha on our minds.”

Munich also refused to indulge in mathematical mind-games. In the best case - if Dortmund lose to Stuttgart - Bayern could wrap up a fourth championship title in a row in the German capital. Instead, the Bavarians are focused on what is in their own hands: “We have to do our homework,” demanded Neuer. Müller added: “It's the only thing we can actually influence ourselves. The rest remains to be seen.”

PRE-MATCH NEWS FROM HERTHA BSC:

• Unavailable: Sami Allagui (knee surgery), Sinan Kurt (sports rehab)
  
  
• Coach Pal Dardai: "We want to keep them at bay for as long as possible and see if we can nick a point, and that'll keep the title race alive.“

‘IT'LL BE A GREAT FINAL IN BERLIN’

The semi-final was hard-fought, but in the end Bayern prevailed. “It's going to be a great final in Berlin,” a delighted Pep Guardiola commented after the 2-0 victory over Werder Bremen. Double scorer Thomas Müller spoke of a tough match, but “the only thing that counts for sports people is that we're in the final!”

REACTION TO BAYERN V BREMEN

Pep Guardiola: “I'm pleased of course. It's going to be a great final in Berlin. Bremen beat Gladbach and Leverkusen in the cup. We knew we'd be up against courageous opponents. We wanted to play more aggressively with our five forwards, but we had enough chances to score more goals. The penalty shouldn’t have been given.”

Philipp Lahm: “It's the semi-finals. If you think it's going to be a walkover you're mistaken.”

Thomas Müller: “We're happy, but we've turned in better displays than today. It was hard work. We offered Werder too much after bad passes. We made it difficult for ourselves. It was tough today. There were no frenetic cheers, but the only thing that counts for sports people is that we're in the final. What we're turning in every three days is incredible.”

Franck Ribéry: “It's the cup, and it's a semi-final. Everything's different then. Werder are struggling in the league, but it was a cup tie today. We're in the final, that's superb. It's the only thing that counts. We have to be focused in every single match.”

Viktor Skripnik (Bremen coach): “Bayern won deservedly: congratulations! We tried to achieve the impossible. We had a few good moves. I don't blame the referee. But it's a pity for my lads who turned in a very good display. We can be proud of ourselves.”

Claudio Pizarro (Bremen forward): “We gave everything to make it to the final. Bayern were better and won deservedly. Unfortunately it didn't work. But it was nice to be here again.”

NEUER EXTENDS STAY AT BAYERN UNTIL 2021

FC Bayern secured the services of another key player for the long term on Wednesday when the World’s Best Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer signed a two-year extension to his current contract, keeping him at the club until 30 June 2021. Jérôme Boateng, Thomas Müller, David Alaba and Javi Martínez all recently signed new contracts also binding them to FCB for the next five years.

“I’m very happy at FC Bayern and I’m delighted we’ve sorted it all out,” the 30-year-old keeper commented after inking his new deal. “We’re still in the running for all three trophies and have an excellent chance of coming away with a lot this season. That’s our biggest target in the short term, but also in the years to come. I’m looking forward to the future with FC Bayern.”

“He’s the best goalkeeper in the world and we’re totally happy with his performances. Manuel is rock-solid in goal and we’re delighted he’s chosen to stay at FC Bayern and sign a new contract,” commented chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge. “We’ve now secured the services of all our key players over the very, very long term. Our fans need have no worries about the future.”

“We’re pleased we now have certainty regarding the position of goalkeeper through to 2021. On and off the field Manuel Neuer is an important personality for FC Bayern,” added deputy chairman Jan-Christian Dreesen.

Neuer joined Germany’s record champions from his boyhood club Schalke 04 in the summer of 2011 and has subsequently won three German championships, the DFB Cup twice, and the Champions League, FIFA Club World Cup and the UEFA Super Cup. He was also a World Cup winner in 2014 with Germany, and was named World’s Best Goalkeeper in each of the last three years. Neuer now aims to expand his honours collection in the years leading up to 2021.

Guardiola sounds warning ahead of Bremen tie

For the next week, Bayern’s eyes are focused on Berlin. FCB could wrap up the Bundesliga title away to Hertha Berlin on Saturday, but before that, the Reds are looking to take the last hurdle en route to the DFB Cup final in the German capital. Werder Bremen are the semi-final opponents at the Allianz Arena on Tuesday night (Live in English from 20:30 CET on Twitter and FCB.tv Web Radio). The two most successful teams in the history of the competition (FCB 17 wins, Bremen 6) face each other in the last four. However, it’s not past glory in the DFB Cup that prompted Pep Guardiola to sound a warning.

League title? Champions League? The FCB head coach wants his players to ignore all distractions. “If we play like we did in the first half against Schalke then we can say goodbye to the cup,” said the 45-year-old on Monday: “I want to get to the final. If we’re ready and focused, we’ll be in with a chance.”

Looking at the table, league leaders FCB go into this match as clear favourites against the team lying sixteenth in the standings. Bayern clocked up a 5-0 win at home to Werder Bremen five weeks ago. “But several Bremen players missed that game,” recalled Guardiola. Claudio Pizarro, Zlatko Junuzovic, Clemens Fritz and Fin Bartels were sidelined for that game. It’s a different story on Tuesday night with Bremen at full strength.

Take nothing for granted

The now 37-year-old former Bayern star Pizarro embodies Bremen’s hopes of springing a surprise in Munich. “He’s one of the best central strikers I’ve ever come across. He’s incredible in the box,” declared Guardiola. Pizza celebrated five of his six cup triumphs in an FCB shirt but the Bayern coach is sure of one thing: the Peruvian will do all he can for Werder on Tuesday to knock his Bayern out of the competition.

Werder’s 3-2 win against Champions League quarter-finalists Wolfsburg at the weekend and this season’s cup performances show it would be unwise to underestimate the north German side, as Bremen knocked out FC Köln (1-0), Gladbach (4-3) and Leverkusen (3-1). To think it will be an easy game “would be a big mistake,” warned Guardiola who will again be without Jérôme Boateng, Holger Badstuber and Arjen Robben on Tuesday. The Bayern coach knows all too well: “Anything can happen in a single match.”

Pre-match news from Bremen

Coach Viktor Skripnik: "We're away to the hot favourites and it'll be incredibly tough. But we'll try everything we can to do something good for our history. We have to believe in ourselves.“

Captain Clemens Fritz: "Anything can happen in a one-off match. Our previous cup ties have shown we're capable of going to our limits and beyond in single matches. We have to have belief and we have to show courage. If so anything's possible.“

Unavailable: Philipp Bargfrede (knee surgery), Raphael Wolf (hip surgery), Michael Zetterer (fracture), Aaron Johannsson (hip surgery)

Boateng resumes squad training

The week at FC Bayern opened with good news and a very welcome development as Jérôme Boateng rejoined the squad for training for the first time since sustaining a groin injury in January. Boateng, who is now close to a comeback after three months on the sidelines, was greeted by his team-mates with applause on Monday afternoon and completed the full workout, although the World Cup winner avoided full-intensity tackling. No date has been set for the centre-back’s return to the matchday squad.

Stieler named semi-final ref

On Tuesday evening Tobias Stieler will take charge of a cup tie featuring FC Bayern for the first time in his career. The lawyer most recently refereed an FCB match when the Reds drew 0-0 away to Borussia Dortmund in March. Stieler has supervised Bayern in the Bundesliga 11 times, with ten Munich victories and one draw. The 34-year-old will be assisted at the Allianz Arena by Sascha Thielert and Norbert Grudzinski, with Guido Winkmann as the fourth official.

FCB TAKE CRUCIAL STEP TOWARDS TITLE GLORY

The finishing line in the race for the Bundesliga title is firmly in sight for FC Bayern. After Saturday's clear-cut victory over Schalke the Bavarians could theoretically wrap up the top flight crown next week. Unsurprisingly, everybody in the Bayern camp agreed with Mario Götze, who said after the final whistle: “Overall it was a crucial step towards the championship title.”

Coach Pep Guardiola also dreams of a third Bundesliga triumph in his third year with Bayern: “Two more victories and we're German champions,” the 45-year-old calculated. “The championship shield is within reach, but we know anything can happen in football. We get nothing for free,” added keeper Manuel Neuer and cautioned against premature complacency in the title race.

Especially in the first half of Saturday's match it was obvious that the final few steps towards winning the Bundesliga are not going to be easy. Schalke's defensive tactics with a 5-4-1 formation worked out well at first: the visitors were disciplined and aggressive before the break. “We lacked rhythm and changes of pace,” criticised Neuer, who celebrated his 200th Bundesliga victory against his former team-mates.

SELF-CRITICAL BAYERN

“At half-time we all knew we didn't play really well,” revealed skipper Philipp Lahm three days after the exhausting Champions League match away to Benfica. “We were much too slow. Thank God we improved in the second half.” A brace by striker Robert Lewandowski (54, 65), who is now on 27 goals for the campaign, and a goal by the influential Arturo Vidal (73) wrapped up a 25th league victory for Bayern.

“It's always a matter of time before we score. In the second half we had more space, and we had our chances as a result,” commented Götze. Despite the victory Guardiola was not fully satisfied with the display. “I'm a little dismayed by our performance. We played football for 35 minutes, not more,” the FCB head coach critically observed.

The Catalan saw room for improvement, especially in view of the upcoming do-or-die encounters with Werder Bremen in the cup and Atlético in the Champions League semi-finals. “I'm pleased about the victory of course. We've taken a big step in the league, now we want to go through to the cup final. I hope this match was a lesson for the game against Bremen on Tuesday.”

LEWY AT THE DOUBLE AS REDS CLOSE ON TITLE

Bayern go into Tuesday’s win-or-bust DFB Cup semi-final against Werder Bremen with their spirits high after Saturday’s convincing 3-0 Bundesliga victory over Schalke, taking the Reds a giant stride closer to a fourth league title in a row as the men from Munich are now ten points clear at the top of the standings with only four games to play.

The 75,000 full house at the Allianz Arena saw Pep Guardiola’s team frustrated in a first half virtually shorn of chances as the Royal Blues effectively parked the proverbial bus on the edge of their own box. The home team hit the gas after the break and Robert Lewandowski opened the scoring with a clinical finish on 54 minutes, the Pole completing his brace with a header 11 minutes later. Arturo Vidal made it three a quarter-hour from time to wrap up what was ultimately a comfortable and merited victory.

Win number 25 from 30 matches takes the Reds up to 78 points, ten ahead of second-placed Dortmund prior to the black-and-yellows’ meeting with Hamburg on Sunday. Following the cup clash with Bremen, the Bavarians are back in league action next Saturday away to high-flying Hertha Berlin.

GÖTZE AND BENATIA FROM THE OFF

Bayern boss Guardiola made no fewer than six changes to the team that sealed a Champions League semi-final berth courtesy of a 2-2 midweek draw away to Benfica, with Rafinha, Mehdi Benatia, Juan Bernat, Kingsley Coman, Mario Götze and Lewandowski coming into the starting line-up.

Of the men they replaced, Thiago, Franck Ribery, Thomas Müller and Joshua Kimmich began on the bench, with Xabi Alonso and Javi Martinez omitted from the squad on this occasion.

The champions lined up with Manuel Neuer in goal, Rafinha, David Alaba, Benatia, and Bernat in the back four, Philipp Lahm and Vidal in central midfield, Costa and Coman out wide, and Götze and Lewandowski up front.

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GOALLESS AT THE BREAK

After referee Tobias Welz whistled play underway, Costa swept an early chance just wide of visiting keeper Ralf Fährmann’s left-hand upright, but the Royal Blues set out their defensive stall and the only other opening in the first 20 minutes saw Coman come up just short of Bernat’s cross-cum-shot from the left.

A further ten minutes had been played before Lewandowski drew an excellent diving save from Fährmann with a firm header, but Schalke responded with a couple of efforts of their own, Benatia just nicking the ball off Klaas-Jan Huntelaar’s toe with the striker poised to slot home and the same player directing a header straight down Neuer’s throat.

FCB upped the pace in the run-up to the interval but Costa’s cross was just a shade too high for Lewandowski and Lahm failed to connect with a Rafinha pass as the first period ended goalless.

LEWY’S QUICKFIRE BRACE

The league leaders set off into the second half with fire in their bellies, Coman going unrewarded for a rapid dribble by shooting straight at Fährmann, Lahm volleying wide, Götze also aiming too close to the Schalke keeper, and Vidal missing the target by mere inches with a skidding drive.

Fährmann was a busy man now with a great save to deny Costa, but there was no stopping Lewandowski’s superb shot on the turn to open the scoring after 54 minutes from Vidal’s towering headed lay-off. FCB kept up the pressure and Lewandowski doubled his and his team’s tally in the 65th minute with a powerful header from Rafinha’s pinpoint cross.

Kimmich and Ribery replaced Benatia and Costa for the last quarter of the game, and the Frenchman made an immediate impact with the lay-off for Vidal to stab home Bayern’s third on 73 minutes. Guardiola made his final change a few minutes later with Sebastian Rode taking over from Vidal as the champions-elect closed out their 25th league win of the campaign.

Live match report for fcbayern.de by Chris Hamley

FC BAYERN – SCHALKE 04 3-0 (H-T: 0-0)

FC Bayern

Neuer - Rafinha, Benatia (Kimmich 63), Alaba, Bernat - Lahm, Vidal (Rode 78) - Coman, Götze, Costa (Ribéry 68) – Lewandowski

ERSATZ

Ulreich, Tasci, Thiago, Müller

Schalke 04

Fährmann - Caicara, Riether, Matip, Neustädter, Aogo – Geis (Belhanda 69), Höjbjerg - Sané, Choupo-Moting (Schöpf 82) – Huntelaar (Meyer 69)

ERSATZ

Nübel, Friedrich, Kehrer, di Santo

SCHIEDSRICHTER

Tobias Welz (Wiesbaden)

ZUSCHAUER

75,000 (capacity)

TORE

1-0 Lewandowski (54), 2-0 Lewandowski (65), 3-0 Vidal (73)

BAYERN V ATLÉTICO!

In their latest quest for Champions League glory Bayern face a tough but thrilling challenge in this season’s semi-finals after Pep Guardiola’s men were drawn to play Spanish giants Atlético Madrid. The team currently lying second in La Liga eliminated holders Barcelona 3-1 on aggregate at the quarter-final stage. Unlike that round, the Reds were handed the slight advantage of playing the decisive semi-final second leg at their home Allianz Arena on Tuesday 3 May, with the first leg at the legendary Vicente Calderón Stadium on Wednesday 27 April.

Despite Bayern’s long history of European competition, the Bavarians have only crossed swords with Atlético once, although the clash was certainly historic. The teams met in Brussels to contest the European Cup final in May 1974, where Katsche Schwarzenbeck salvaged a 1-1 draw for FCB with a powerful long-range drive just a minute from the end of extra-time. Penalty shootouts had yet to be introduced so the game went to a replay at the same venue two days later. FCB won 4-0 and hoisted Europe’s top club trophy for the first time.

RENAISSANCE UNDER SIMEONE

Atlético reached the Champions League final two years ago but lost 4-1 after extra-time to fierce local rivals Real Madrid. However, Los Rojiblancos(the red and whites) are still one of Spain’s most successful clubs with ten championship titles and ten domestic cup triumphs, most recently in 2014 and 2013 respectively. The men from the Spanish capital also won the Europa League (2010, 2012), the European Cup Winners’ Cup (1962) and the 1974 Intercontinental Cup.

Coach Diego Simeone has masterminded Atlético’s renaissance in recent years. The Argentine took over in Madrid in 2011, forming a combative team spearheaded by Antoine Griezmann, who has 20 goals this season, and captain Gabi. Defence is the Spaniards’ specialty: they have conceded a mere 16 goals in 32 league games, and only five in ten Champions League matches.

In the La Liga standings Atlético lie just three points off leaders Barcelona and a point ahead of third-placed Real. Los Rojiblancos beat PSV Eindhoven on penalties in the Champions League last sixteen after goalless draws at home and away, before easing past Barça in the quarters.

TIES DRAWN BY STANKOVIĆ

Friday’s draw at the Swiss headquarters of European football’s governing body in Nyon was presented by UEFA chief of communications Pedro Pinto and conducted by UEFA director of competitions Giorgio Marchetti, assisted by 2010 Champions League winner Dejan Stanković. In the second semi-final, Manchester City are at home to Real in the first leg. This year’s final takes place at the San Siro in Milan on 28 May, where FCB would nominally be the away team should they overcome Atlético.

Champions League 2015/16 semi-final draw:
Manchester City v Real Madrid
Atlético Madrid v Bayern Munich
(To be played 26/27 April and 3/4 May)

SAMMER: IT’S A MUST-WIN MATCH

Due to their continuing commitments in the Champions League, Bundesliga and DFB Cup, FC Bayern cannot afford any let-up in the run-in to the end of the season. In between the do-or-die matches away to Benfica and against cup semi-final opponents Werder Bremen, the German record champions return to the bread-and-butter of the Bundesliga. In Saturday's home match against Schalke 04 (Live in English from 18.30 CET on Twitter and FCB.tv Web Radio) the Reds aim to take the next step towards a fourth championship title in a row

“We move on from the Champions League. Bundesliga routine is all that counts tomorrow. We have nothing to give away. We absolutely have to win,” said sporting director Matthias Sammer on Friday. The seventh-placed visitors, who are in contention for a Champions League qualifying spot, have only taken four points from their last four matches, but “whenever they’ve been struggling they showed a reaction. We have to be prepared for that,” cautioned Sammer.

The more so as the Ruhr valley outfit had no midweek match whereas Bayern contested 90 intense minutes in Lisbon. “We have seven games in three weeks in which everything's at stake,” commented Sammer with regard to the packed schedule in the race for all three titles. “If you ease off by one or two percent you end up second.”

'IT'S A FINAL TOMORROW'

“It's going to be a very, very hard game because we have the shortest week possible,” said Lahm, referring to the very limited regeneration time between fixtures. But there are no excuses, only a victory counts for FCB. “We have to win. We mustn't carelessly let our lead over Dortmund shrink,” stressed Lahm.

FCB are seven points clear of chief competitors Borussia, who take on Hamburg on Sunday. “We still need two victories and one draw to win and achieve my dream, the fourth German championship title in a row,” calculated Guardiola. Sammer is certain of one thing: “Dortmund won't drop any more points, so we should watch out. It's a final tomorrow.”

It remains to be seen who will play on Saturday. The table-toppers returned from Lisbon without major injury concerns, but Guardiola may opt to rotate his squad. His main task is to communicate to the players that “we haven't wrapped up the championship title yet,” the Catalan insisted. However, a victory on Saturday would mean “almost winning the Bundesliga.”

PRE-MATCH NEWS FROM SCHALKE 04:

• Unavailable: Benedikt Höwedes (sprain), Sead Kolasinac (suspended), Marco Höger, Atsuto Uchida, Leon Goretzka, Matija Nastasic (sports rehab), Sidney Sam (torn muscle)
  
  
• Coach André Breitenreiter: "We're definitely underdogs, but we'll still go to Munich in good spirits and aim for a positive result. If our attitude to the match is to go looking for a hiding place we'll have no chance. We'll give it our best shot and try to get a result.“

RESOLUTE FCB BOOK FIFTH STRAIGHT LAST FOUR BERTH

Bayern are through to the Champions League semi-finals for the fifth season in a row after a thrilling 2-2 draw away to Benfica in Wednesday night’s last eight return, taking the German champions past the Lisbon giants 3-2 on aggregate. Pep Guardiola’s men were pushed very hard indeed by the battling Portuguese outfit but ultimately had the quality and resolve to prevail.

The 65,000 full house at the Estadio da Luz saw Raul Jimenez open for the home side against the run of play to level the tie on aggregate after 27 minutes, but Arturo Vidal struck a precious away goal and equalised on the night 11 minutes later. With the balance of the tie now firmly in Munich’s favour Thomas Müller made it 2-1 seven minutes after the break, and although sub Anderson Talisca netted Benfica’s second on 76 minutes, the Bundesliga leaders protected the result to the end.

The draw for the semi-finals takes place at UEFA headquarters in Nyon at 11.30 CET on Friday, with the first leg of last four tie to be played on 26 or 27 April and the return a week later on 3 or 4 May. The Bavarians are back in Bundesliga action this Saturday evening at home to Schalke.

STARTS FOR JAVI AND XABI

Bayern boss Guardiola made two changes to the team that beat Benfica 1-0 in Munich last week, springing a minor surprise by starting with Robert Lewandowski on the bench alongside Juan Bernat, and naming Javi Martínez and Xabi Alonso in the starting line-up. Kingsley Coman and Mario Götze also began the evening in the dugout.

The visitors lined up with Manuel Neuer in goal behind a back four of David Alaba, Joshua Kimmich, Martínez and captain Philipp Lahm, who equalled Oliver Kahn’s club record with his 103rd appearance in Europe’s elite club competition. Alonso and Vidal anchored the midfield, with Thiago, Douglas Costa, Franck Ribery and Müller in attack.

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VIDAL’S VITAL EQUALISER

The home team went straight on the attack after Dutch referee Björn Kuipers whistled play underway and Kimmich deflected a skimming Eliseu free-kick wide for a corner, but FCB soon settled with Costa and Ribery making promising incursions down the flank.

Müller turned Lahm’s 19th-minute cross only just wide of home keeper Ederson’s right-hand upright and Vidal failed to get power on a free header from Thiago’s chip, but there was a shock for Guardiola’s men in the 27th minute when Jimenez ghosted in between Martinez and Alaba and nodded Eliseu’s swirling cross over the line with Neuer stranded out of his goal.

With the stadium now a cauldron, Mexican dangerman Jimenez drew a sharp save from Neuer, but the visitors hit back and Ederson only just beat Lahm to Alonso’s through ball. The Reds were level after 38 minutes when the home keeper could only palm away Lahm’s fine cross and Vidal battered home the loose ball from the edge of the box. The increasingly influential Chilean shot just over the bar from Alonso’s pass as the teams turned round with the score 1-1 on the night.

SOLID SECOND HALF

Knowing the home side now needed two more goals to prevail, FCB were in a far more comfortable position and moved 3-1 ahead on aggregate after 52 minutes when Müller forced the ball over the line from close range after a towering Martinez header back across goal.

FCB went for the jugular and Costa was denied by Ederson before unluckily hitting the far post with a low shot, although Neuer had to tip André Almeida’s rising drive over the bar. Müller had the ball in the net again after 67 minutes but Alaba, who supplied the final pass, was called fractionally offside.

The otherwise excellent Ederson almost spilled a harmless Vidal effort over his own line, but the Portuguese equalised on the night with quarter of an hour to go when sub Talisca curled a 22-yard free-kick over the Bayern wall and past Neuer’s despairing dive.

Lewandowski replaced Müller for the closing stages but still the Portuguese champions came with Talisca going desperately close from another superb set piece, before Lewandowski saw the last chance of the contest saved by Ederson.

Live match report for fcbayern.de by Chris Hamley

BENFICA – FC BAYERN 2-2 (H-T: 1-1)

Benfica Lissabon

Ederson - Almeida, Lindelöf, Jardel, Eliseu (Jovic 88) - Fejsa, Renato Sanches – Pizzi (Guedes 58), Carcela-Gonzalez, Salvio (Talisca 68) - Raul Jimenez

ERSATZ

Paulo Lopes, Luisao, Nelson Semedo, Samaris

FC Bayern

Neuer - Lahm, Kimmich, Javi Martinez, Alaba - Xabi Alonso (Bernat 90), Vidal - Douglas Costa, Thiago, Ribery (Götze 90+2) – Müller (Lewandowski 84)

ERSATZ

Ulreich, Rafinha, Coman, Rode

SCHIEDSRICHTER

Björn Kuipers (Netherlands)

ZUSCHAUER

65,000 (capacity)

TORE

1-0 Jimenez (27), 1-1 Vidal (38), 1-2 Müller (52), 2-2 Talisca (76)

GELBEKARTEN

Carcela-Gonzalez, Almeida / Martinez

FCB UNBEATEN IN LISBON

Three matches, one win, two draws: FC Bayern will take heart from a positive record in matches away to Benfica. After two goalless draws in 1976 and 1981 the German record champions posted a 3-1 victory in November 1995. The Bavarians also won the three matches in Lisbon against local rivals Sporting and Belenenses, by 5-0, 1-0 and 2-0 scorelines.

ONLY ONE DEFEAT IN PORTUGAL

The Bavarians' overall record in Portugal is impressive. FCB have won five and lost only one match, with six games ending in a draw. In last year's quarter-final first leg the Munich men lost 3-1 away to Porto, but won the return by a whopping 6-1 scoreline and advanced to the semi-finals.

HOME VICTORY AS A GOOD OMEN

FC Bayern will be encouraged by another piece of good news after the 1-0 victory in the first leg. Munich have ultimately prevailed in all of the last nine European knockout rounds which began with a home victory from a Bayern point of view. The last time they were knocked out after a home victory dates back to the 2001/02 season, when Bayern lost 2-0 away to Real Madrid after a 2-1 home success in the Champions League quarter-finals. 

PATCHY RECENT RECORD

Bayern's recent away record in European knockout rounds could do with a polish. FCB are winless in six, drawing three and losing three matches, with four goals scored and ten conceded. The last victory dates back to the 2013/14 season, a 2-0 success away to Arsenal.

BENFICA STRONG AT HOME

Beware! Strong hosts await the German record champions at the Estádio da Luz. Benfica have won eight of their last nine competitive fixtures on home soil. The record in European encounters with German sides is positive, with Benfica winning ten, drawing seven and losing two of the 19 matches and keeping a clean sheet 12 times. Benfica prevailed in all three of their last European knockout rounds which began with an away defeat.

SUSPENSION RISK FOR FCB FOURSOME

Four Bayern players hope to avoid yellow cards as they would serve a one-match ban in case of another booking on Wednesday evening. Robert Lewandowski, Arturo Vidal, Joshua Kimmich and Juan Bernat would be onlookers in a potential semi-final first leg should they collect a yellow card. Jérôme Boateng, who has also picked up two bookings so far, misses out with injury. All bookings will be cancelled after the quarter-finals.

DUTCHMAN IN CHARGE

Björn Kuipers from the Netherlands will be the man with the whistle for Wednesday's encounter at the Estádio da Luz. A good omen for FC Bayern: the German record champions have won the two group matches with the 43-year-old in charge, a 3-2 victory over SSC Napoli in November 2011 and a 3-1 victory over Manchester City in October 2013. Benfica by contrast have conceded three defeats with Kuipers on the pitch, including the 2013 Europa League final to Chelsea.

Bayern Mulakan Persiapan Hadapi Benfica

Following Saturday's Bundesliga clash with Stuttgart the Bavarians have four days to prepare for the Champions League showdown against Benfica. “That's enough time to regenerate and prepare well,” commented Thomas Müller before the quarter-final return in Lisbon. Pep Guardiola split his squad into two groups for Sunday morning's training session. Saturday's starting XI turned in a gentle session including running and stretching exercises as well as treatment. The rest of the squad reported for an intense workout including weight training, sprints and tactical drills.

Away from the rest of the squad Kingsley Coman worked on his comeback. The French youngster has slight muscular problems and took a breather against Stuttgart as a precautionary measure. On Sunday Coman was back on the ball in an individual session, as was Jérôme Boateng, who is fully on track for his comeback, but is not yet fit enough to feature in the squad for Lisbon.

THE VICTORY BOOSTS OUR CONFIDENCE

Bayern had to work hard for Saturday’s 3-1 victory away to VfB Stuttgart. “We committed too many fouls and allowed free-kicks and corners as a consequence. We made it complicated for ourselves,” said Pep Guardiola, who was pleased with the performance especially in the second half. Franck Ribéry stressed the psychological dimension to Saturday's success.

REACTION TO STUTTGART V BAYERN

Pep Guardiola: “We committed too many fouls and allowed free-kicks and corners as a consequence. We made it complicated for ourselves. But after the first goal we did well, especially in the second half. We attacked better, our forwards moved better. Now we need three more victories and one draw to achieve something no team has ever achieved in Germany.”

David Alaba: “Stuttgart did very well before the opener. They were very compact, that's why it wasn't easy for us. I expect a very intense game in Lisbon on Wednesday. We’ll have to give it everything.”

Franck Ribéry: “At the beginning it wasn't easy for us. We didn't have much space, so the first goal was very important. We played very well in the second half. The victory boosts our confidence before the match in Lisbon on Wednesday.”

Jürgen Kramny (VfB Stuttgart coach): “You could see our plan was to cover the full width of the pitch against Bayern with our back five. But we were too far away once, and Bayern made the most of it, when Georg Niedermeier wasn’t deep enough and committed a foul. After the break we were a little too passive, we defended a little too deep. After our goal we came close to scoring the equaliser, but couldn't do any better.”

RESOLUTE FCB DOWN STUBBORN STUTTGART

Bayern came a step closer to an unprecedented fourth Bundesliga title in a row with Saturday’s hard-earned but deserved 3-1 Bundesliga victory away to VfB Stuttgart, the 15th time in a row the Reds have beaten their southern rivals in competitive fixtures and a welcome boost for Pep Guardiola and his men ahead of Wednesday’s crucial Champions League quarter-final return away to Benfica.

The 60,000 full house at the Mercedes-Benz-Arena saw the home side frustrate the leaders for the first half-hour, but a moment of Franck Ribery magic led to former FCB man Georg Niedermeier putting through his own goal after 31 minutes. David Alaba opened his Bundesliga scoring account seven minutes after the restart to double FCB’s lead, and although Daniel Didavi pulled one back on 63 minutes the champions held out comfortably enough and sub Douglas Costa cracked an 88th-minute third to make absolutely sure of the three points.

A 24th win in 29 league games means FCB move onto 75 points, once again eight clear of second-placed Dortmund ahead of the black-and-yellows’ Ruhr derby meeting with Schalke on Sunday. Following the do-or-die clash in Lisbon, the Bavarians return to domestic league action next Saturday evening at home to Europe-chasing Schalke.

PEP ROTATES, GÖTZE STARTS

Bayern boss Guardiola made four changes to the team that earned a narrow 1-0 home success against Benfica last Tuesday. Mario Götze, Javi Martinez, Rafinha and Xabi Alonso started in place of Philipp Lahm, Costa, Thiago and Thomas Müller, who all joined backup keeper Sven Ulreich, Serdar Tasci and Sebastian Rode on the subs’ bench.

The league leaders lined up with captain for the day Manuel Neuer in goal, Rafinha, Joshua Kimmich, Martinez, Alaba and Juan Bernat in a nominal back five, Alonso and Arturo Vidal in midfield, and Götze, Ribery and Robert Lewandowski in attack.

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FRANCK SETS UP OPENER

After referee Bastian Dankert whistled play underway on a cloudy afternoon in Swabia, the visitors dominated possession from the start and Ribery only just failed to convert from Götze’s well-timed run and cross, although Neuer was forced into a fine reaction save to deny Wolfsburg-bound Daniel Didavi from an inswinging Filip Kostic free-kick.

FCB were finding the going tough and the contest developed a physical edge. Vidal collected a yellow card and then flirted with a second, prompting Guardiola to send on Müller for the Chilean after 27 minutes. The change paid immediate dividends with the Germany striker setting up Götze, but the opening goal on 31 minutes was created by the twisting and turning Ribery whose driven cut-back was turned over his own line by a combination of Niedermeier and VfB keeper Przemyslaw Tyton.

Lewandowski had pressured Niedermeier into the error and the Pole put the next chance just wide before narrowly failing to find Müller with a dinked cross, with Bernat’s chip deflected onto the roof of the net in the last move of the half.

DAVID AND DOUGLAS ON TARGET

The first real chance of the second half brought a second goal for lively Munich with Alaba firing left-footed through Toni Sunjic’s legs and past the unsighted Tyton at the near post. It all seemed done and dusted but the Reds were jolted awake after 63 minutes when Didavi fortuitously netted from a seated position after a scramble in front of Neuer and a deflection off Lewandowski.

Thiago replaced Götze midway through the second period as Guardiola’s men sought to regain the initiative, the Spanish substitute drawing a diving save from Tyton and then just failing to connect with a Rafinha lay-off, before cursing his luck when Tyton finger-tipped a superb curling effort onto the crossbar and away to safety.

Costa took over from Kimmich for the closing stages as the Reds chased the goal that would make the game safe, a strike that duly arrived in the 88th minute when Costa drove home from 20 yards after great build-up work by Lewandowski.

Live match report for fcbayern.de by Chris Hamley

VFB STUTTGART - FC BAYERN 1-3 (H-T: 0-1)

VfB Stuttgart

Tyton - Klein, Sunjic, Schwaab, Niedermeier, Insua - Werner, Didavi, Rupp (Tashchy 75), Kostic – Kravets

ERSATZ

Langerak, Heise, Barba, Kliment, Baumgartl

FC Bayern

Neuer - Rafinha, Kimmich (Costa 75), Martínez, Alaba, Bernat - Alonso, Vidal (Müller 27) – Götze (Thiago 69), Ribéry – Lewandowski

ERSATZ

Ulreich, Tasci, Rode, Lahm

SCHIEDSRICHTER

Bastian Dankert (Rostock)

ZUSCHAUER

60,000 (capacity)

TORE

0-1 Niedermeier (o.g. 31), 0-2 Alaba (52), 1-2 Didavi (63), 1-3 Costa (89)

GELBEKARTEN

Didavi / Vidal, Alonso, Alaba

VITAL POINTS AT STAKE FOR TITLE RACE AND FCB’S RHYTHM

When Pep Guardiola was asked about Arturo Vidal’s tattoos the cheerful Catalan just laughed, thought about it for a minute and almost missed the next question. That was the only moment on Friday where the FC Bayern coach had to refocus. It was clear straight away: Guardiola and Bayern are ready and waiting for Saturday’s South German derby away to VfB Stuttgart (Live in English from 15:30 CET on Twitter and FCB.tv Web Radio).

“There are only six games to go and we’re getting ever closer to our most important target with each game,” said the Bayern coach in summing up the significance of the away fixture in Swabia where FCB are “looking to collect the next three points,” as Philipp Lahm put it. Guardiola knows FC Bayern cannot afford to “wait for other clubs’ mistakes” if they want to finish top of the league. ”We need to win our games ourselves. Perhaps that’s good for our rhythm.”

FCB will need to be on their guard in Stuttgart. The team twelfth in the Bundesliga on 33 points are not yet safe from relegation but their form is on the up: the 2007 league champions are currently the fourth-best team in the form table for the second half of the season. Under current coach Jürgen Kramny VfB are “a bit different,” Guardiola said, compared with the meeting earlier in the season when FC Bayern clocked up a 4-0 win against the team then supervised by Alexander Zorniger.

PERFECT RECORD AFTER CL GAMES

“They have quick and physically strong players in Kostic, Werner, Didavi,” said Guardiola who has also been considering the opposition defence. “Only one of the last seven teams we’ve played have fielded a five-man defence,” explained the Catalan, who suspects Stuttgart will look to close down space. “We play a very wide game with our two wingers,” added Guardiola, “our opponents don’t want to leave them unmarked on the flanks.”

VfB coach Kramny has had to reshuffle his midfield. Chief enforcer Serey Dié tore a groin ligament in the 2-2 draw in Darmstadt last week and is now ruled out for the rest of the season. “We’ll see if we’ll play with two defensive midfielders or one, two wing-backs and a number ten,” said Kramny. Bayern, who have won all eight Bundesliga games after Champions League ties this term with 23 goals for and one against, are without Holger Badstuber, Jérôme Boateng, Mehdi Benatia and Arjen Robben.

INFORMATIONEN ZUM GEGNER VFB STUTTGART:

• Unavailable: Serey Dié (groin), Kevin Großkreuz (sprain), Daniel Ginczek (cruciate)
  
  
• Coach Jürgen Kramny: "Obviously the match presents us with a huge challenge. It'll depend on us working hard as group on defending and simultaeously showing courage in attack. The players and I are looking forward to the task."

FCB BUOYED BY STRONG RECORD VERSUS VFB

FC Bayern and VfB Stuttgart cross swords for the 98th time on Saturday afternoon. No fixture in the Bundesliga's history has attracted a larger aggregate attendance, and on average the Swabians have taken fewer points against Bayern than against any other team. fcbayern.de has delved into the facts and stats prior to the clash.

WINNING STREAK

Munich are buoyed by a run of 14 straight wins in competitive fixtures against VfB, winning 11 Bundesliga matches and three cup ties. FC Bayern would equal their own Bundesliga record in case of another victory, 12 victories in a row against a single club. Only Bayern have achieved this feat so far, against Freiburg and Nürnberg.

THE RECORD

FC Bayern and VfB Stuttgart have faced off in 97 Bundesliga matches so far, and the record is clearly in favour of the German record champions. The Reds left the pitch as winners 60 times, losing 17 matches, with 20 games ending in a draw. On average the Swabians have taken only 0.73 points per match against FCB, conceding 197 goals along the way. Both numbers are record lows for Stuttgart in the Bundesliga.

UNBEATEN

Stuttgart appear to be Robert Lewandowski's favourite opponents. He has encountered VfB in eleven Bundesliga fixtures and has yet to lose, winning seven and drawing four matches. He has not met any other Bundesliga team as often without losing. The Poland international netted five times against Stuttgart, including a three-goal haul in November 2013.

CROWD-PLEASER

Stuttgart v Bayern has attracted more spectators than any other Bundesliga duel. A total of 5,414,663 fans flocked to the stadiums to watch a Southern derby, a Bundesliga record. On Saturday the full house in Stuttgart will boost this number by 60,000.

THE REFEREE

Bastian Dankert will be the man with the whistle for Saturday afternoon's clash. It is the tenth time that the sports scientist from Rostock takes charge of a match involving FC Bayern, who have yet to lose a fixture with Dankert on the pitch. Most recently the 35-year-old oversaw the 3-0 cup victory over Bochum in February. His assistants will be Harm Osmers and René Rohde, with Mike Pickel acting as fourth official.

VIDAL SHINES AS ENFORCER AND SCORER

He ran and tackled, always going for the one-on-ones - and he scored the match-winner too. Arturo Vidal is becoming more and more important for FC Bayern in the decisive weeks of the season. The Chilean shone in the narrow 1-0 victory against Benfica in the Champions League quarter-final first leg, not only as the scorer of the game’s only goal, but also as a tireless leader with great quality in the challenge who often recovered the ball.

“I'm very happy. I was a little tired after the internationals in Chile. But today I felt very good. Of course I'm very happy that I scored and that we won. We're in a good position to get through to the next round,” commented Vidal after the first leg. 

TIRELESS RUNNER

“He's a player who infects others with his energy,” Pep Guardiola had said before the encounter with the Portuguese record champions, confirming early on that the 28-year-old would play, which is quite unusual for the FCB head coach. After the match the Catalan felt his judgment call was right: “Arturo is very important, he has great character, he's very experienced. He's done very well over the last few months. We need him.”

Vidal covered 11.7 kilometres against Benfica, more than any other Bayern pro. He topped his already strong stats in the two meetings with Juventus, 11.1 and 11.4 kilometres respectively, in which he excelled in a central role in front of the defence. He tried to block every shot, crowning his brilliant display as early as 110 seconds into the contest with his first Champions League goal for FCB.

FEELING AT HOME

“You know what to expect from Arturo, and he did just that,” declared Thomas Müller. “It's always a great impulse for the team when you recover the ball,” the world champion said as he considered one of the crucial attributes brought to the team by Vidal, who is now the top Chilean Champions League scorer on 10 goals, one ahead of Alexis Sanchez.

He obviously feels at home in this position. “I like it. I often have the ball, I can attack, I can defend. I like to be where the danger is,” explained the 'Warrior' on Tuesday evening. Guardiola values Vidal's speed, his quality in the tackle and aggressive pressing “between the lines,” by which he plays his part in “the stability in our defence,” stressed Guardiola.

Vidal, who lost last year's Champions League final with Juventus, has big plans for his first year at FC Bayern: “I hope it continues. I hope I can still improve. The tough matches lie ahead now. And I hope that we can achieve what we set out to do.”