Lionel Messi was a catalyst for Barcelona’s
success under Pep Guardiola, and the now-Bayern
Munich boss says no team can stop the superstar.
Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola says no defense in the
world is capable of stopping Barcelona superstar Lionel
Messi.
Guardiola is set for an emotional return to Camp Nou for
Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League semifinal first
leg. The 44-year-old spent 11 years as a player at Barca,
before returning as coach where he oversaw one of the
greatest eras of success in the club’s history between 2008
and 2012.
During his four-year spell in the dugout, Barca won La Liga
three times, and the Champions League and Copa del Rey
on two occasions.
Argentina international Messi was the driving force behind
that team but this time he will provide a headache for
Guardiola, who is attempting to mastermind a way past Luis
Enrique’s side.
“If Messi is in top form, no defense can stop him,” Guardiola
said. “There is no system to stop Messi. He’s too good. You
just have to try to limit him in another way – stop the ball
reaching him, but even then, you can’t stop him.”
Guardiola also stated that there is far more for Bayern –
which decimated Barca at the same stage in the 2012-13
season – to worry about than just Messi.
“It’s very difficult to find any weaknesses with talent like
this,” he added. “We’re going to try to perform as well as we
can. We’re going to try to better than we usually are. You
know the level of respect I have for these players and for
Barcelona.
“I think that they have the advantage because I know them
but when you think you might know what these players are
going to do they do something different. I know that from a
defensive standpoint it’s really impossible to stop them. We
can’t stop them.
