The Bayern Munich coach defends his record with the club following their Uefa Champions League setback in Barcelona in midweek.
On the backfoot
Guardiola is facing a second successive exit from the Uefa Champions League in the semi-final stages after the Bundesliga champions were beaten 3-0 by Barcelona in the first leg at Camp Nou on Wednesday.
Super
While Bayern have already retained the Bundesliga title for a third successive season, they were knocked out of the German Cup in the semi-finals and are up against it in the Champions League. Despite that Guardiola said of the campaign: “If a team chase three titles, win the league, reach the German Cup semi-final and the Champions League semi-final, then it is a super, super season.”
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No treble
Bayern Munich won the treble of the domestic title and cup as well as the Champions League in 2012/13 under Jupp Heynckes, who stepped down that summer to be replaced by Guardiola, who has been unable to achieve a treble in his first two seasons. Of falling short this season, he said: “How many times did Bayern win a treble? How many? One time? One time, OK. Of course we wanted to win the treble but it is still an amazing season.”
Hope
Guardiola has not given up the prospect of Bayern overturning their three-goal deficit when they host the second leg of the Champions League semi-final with Barcelona on Tuesday. “We played OK in Barcelona, but not perfect,” he said. “We want to play our best on Tuesday so that we have the best possible chance. There are still 90 minutes left and in football a lot can happen.”
Contract
Bayern host Augsburg in the Bundesliga today and Guardiola denied his thoughts were already turning to his contract status, with his three-year deal up next summer and Manchester City among the reported interested suitors for his services. “It is still too early,” Guardiola said on the subject of contract talks.
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