Pep Guardiola: Bayern will not let up tonight

Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola insists he will not be fielding a weakened team in tonight’s Champions League clash with Olympiacos, although changes from the team he sent into action against Schalke on Saturday are almost inevitable.

Guardiola has not named the same starting 11 in his last 64 games and further alterations are expected in midweek, albeit without compromising the ultimate goal of Group F victory.

“My players are training like crazy and they all deserve to play,” Guardiola said yesterday.

“But for the harmony, for their legs, for their bodies and for their minds, it’s good when we rotate things.

“I like it when all of my players are ready and not when I only have 13 players.”

If Bayern and Olympiacos share the spoils at the Allianz Arena, both Arsenal and Dinamo Zagreb will be eliminated, but Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer insists they are only focusing on sealing top spot in the group and not the ramifications the result may have on who would then join them in the last 16.

Should Bayern win and Arsenal beat Zagreb, the Gunners could then join the Bavarians in the knockout stages by winning in Athens in their final group fixture.

“We know how much our game means to the Arsenal players and we will do all we can to win, but not because it would help Arsenal, but because we want to win,” said the Germany number one.

“Our self-confidence is high, but we still want to get better. We’re not going to put our feet up, and you can see that right through our team.”

Guardiola may have to make an enforced change with David Alaba picking up an ankle injury in the 3-1 win at Schalke on Saturday.

“It’s not a bad injury and David’s a tough lad, but he’s only had two days since Schalke,” Guardiola said.

“We have other options, but we don’t have a natural left-footer. He doesn’t want to take any risk, though, and we don’t either — this is one of the most important games of our season.”

Holger Badstuber could benefit by making his first start in nearly seven months. “He played at left full-back under Jupp Heynckes, even if he is a central defender,” said the Catalan coach. Holger’s in the squad and I will make up my mind tomorrow morning.”

Like Bayern, Olympiacos also have nine points from their first four matches and can seal their place in the last 16 with a point or more in Munich.

They did not have the chance to warm up at the weekend, though, with their game against Panathinaikos called off due to crowd problems, although Guardiola does not see that unexpected break as an advantage to the Greek side.

“If anything, it is a disadvantage for the whole of Greek football,” he said.