I won’t seek Pep talk, says Heynckes

Bayern Munich coach Jupp Heynckes has not sought any advice from former Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola ahead of his side’s Champions League semi-final tie against the Catalans tonight.

Guardiola will be replacing Heynckes in the Bayern dugout this summer and his history as Barcelona coach, with whom he won the Champions League twice with, could have given Heynckes some useful insights into tonight’s opponents at the Allianz Arena.

However, Heynckes, while displaying his respect for his successor, reiterated he does not need any help in preparing for biggest game of his side’s season so far.

“I admire Pep Guardiola, but I don’t need any advice from other coaches,” he said.

“I know my team better than anybody and I also know a lot about Spanish football and Barcelona. There has been no kind of contact (with Guardiola) at all.”

Bayern are on the brink of making it to their third final in four years in arguably one of the greatest periods in the German club’s history.

Having sealed the Bundesliga title sooner than any other club they have skittled numerous domestic records, while the manner of their 6-1 victory at Hannover last Saturday shows they are not done yet.

Furthermore, they have reached the final of the DFB-Pokal (German Cup) and are therefore on course for an historic treble.

It could nevertheless turn out to be a disappointing season if Bayern fail to lift Europe’s ultimate club trophy.

“Bayern are currently playing the most modern, contemporary football in the history of this club,” added Heynckes, who has yet to confirm whether or not he will be retiring when his contract expires at the end of June.

“We will not be wasting any thoughts on the failure against Chelsea last year.

“We have a plan for the game tonight.”

That plan includes how to deal with Lionel Messi, who Heynckes fully expects to start, despite missing out at the weekend.

“I expect he will be able to play and it is not something which is causing me a headache,” he added. “Barca are about more than just Messi.”

What is still causing Heynckes a headache is his own team selection with two big doubts, one at the back and one in attack.

Daniel van Buyten and Jerome Boateng are vying for one berth alongside Dante, with the former likely to be preferred given his experience.

Up front, with top-scorer Mario Mandzukic suspended, Mario Gomez or Claudio Pizarro will lead the line.

“That decision has not been taken yet,” revealed Heynckes. “I want to talk to both players first and then make up my mind.”

Both Pizarro and Gomez scored twice at the weekend while the Germany international grabbed a hat-trick in the 6-1 cup win over Wolfsburg last week, so the Bayern coach can rest assured that, whomever he picks, he can expect a proven goalscoring pedigree.

Barcelona assistant coach Jordi Roura knows the Catalans face the sternest test of their Champions League credentials tonight.

“It is going to be a very tight tie,” he said as he stood in for Tito Vilanova at the pre-match press conference yesterday.

“We know how good Bayern are, and we know it’s going to be hard not only tomorrow, but in the tie overall.”

Regarding Messi, Roura added: “He’s been feeling good over the past few days, but I don’t know how he will feel tomorrow.”

“We’ll make a decision after consulting with the doctors today.”

Bayern Munich (probable): Neuer, Lahm, Buyten, Dante, Alaba, Martinez, Schweinsteiger, Robben, Muller, Ribery, Gomez.

Barcelona (probable): Valdes, Alves, Pique, Bartra, Alba, Xavi, Busquets, Iniesta, Pedro, Messi, Sanchez.