In an interview with the Spanish press, Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola opened up about the criticism he’s received since his team won the German Bundesliga on March 25.Though Bayern scraped a 2-0 win at bottom club Eintracht Braunschweig over the weekend, the defending European champion has taken just four points from its last four games leading up toWednesday’s UEFA Champions League semifinal first-leg at Real Madrid.
“For the big teams, it’s not enough to just win – you have to win always. That’snormal,” the former Barcelona coach said. “We are not at our best and today, once again we looked like a small side. On the one hand, we’ve had to play league games when there isabsolutely nothing to play for but we still need to up our level. Maybe Madrid will be more enthusiastic than us after winning the Copa del Rey but we will try to be competitive.”
Askedif his team would be the favorite against Carlo Ancelotti’s Real, Guardiola said: “Every time I have been to the Bernabeu, whether as a player or as a coach, I have neverconsidered myself to be on the side of the favorites. I’ve too much respect for those things, although I don’t like they way they comport themselves. They deserve respect for theirhistory. So, it doesn’t matter who their coach is or which players are there — they’re always a strong side to face.”