Confidence is sky high in the camp of FC Bayern, they just wrapped up the German domestic league title with 7 games in hands, they look likely to win the DFB Pokal as well, one title and record they would give anything to attain is to become the first club in the modern era to win and defend the uefa champions league title.
David Moyes in his press conference has reminded the world that “no team has been able to win and defend the uefa champion’s league till date” not even Pep Guardiola with his “tiki-taka” playing all conquering FC Barcelona led by the trio of Messi, Xavi and Iniesta (no group come any better than them) was able to defend their title back to back. Responding from Germany a fan of FC Bayern tweeted that “today’s game is not the finals but the quarter finals and when the time comes to defend the title, they will see how that goes.”
Given that defending champions don’t get to defend their titles we should be reminded that Ajax, AC Milan, Juventus and Manchester united have all won and return the following year to play in the finals, Pep Guardiola’s Bayern may not defend the title in May but they have everything to make it all the way to the finals based on the array of stars and top quality players available for selection add that to the dynamism, athleticism, flexibility and fluidity of Pep’s style of play.
Man for man it is almost impossible to match up the two sides and in terms of coaching pedigree, even Moyes predecessor Sir Alex Ferguson would struggle to stand up to the Spanish philosopher.
Pep Guardiola is one of the most tactically astute coaches of the modern game and a man who gives attention to the tiniest fragments details when it comes to picking his team and lining up his troops for battle.
Pep has a well-oiled German team at his disposal, a bunch of players who are at the very peak of their game, looking to arrive at the world cup on a high.
Moyes on the other hand has more crisis than tactics available to him, there are many sides to the Old Trafford legion, if they are not dealing with plane flying fans, and they are dealing with disgruntled players in the dressing room or a divided boardroom that is kicking itself to know if Moyes was truly the chosen one or the wrong one. Add that to the absence due to injury of Robin van Persie, the reason they are here in the first place.
From a footballing and tactical stand point, it would be an easy win for FC Bayern but if you recall the uefa champion’s league finals played on 18 May 1994 at the Athens Olympic Stadium in Athens, Greece between the super underdog acmilan(David) against the high flying FC Barcelona(Goliath) of the mid 90’s. We know from history how that went with one of the easiest final victory recorded in the competition’s history. Man utd has a fighter’s chance but can they pull enough punch to knock-out Pep Guardiola’s team? We will find out over two legs.
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