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Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola eyes Champions League legacy

Pep Guardiola says his Bayern Munich tenure will be judged on their success in the Champions League
Image: Pep Guardiola says his Bayern Munich tenure will be judged on their success in the Champions League

Pep Guardiola accepts his spell as Bayern Munich manager will be judged on whether he can guide his side to Champions League glory before he leaves this summer.

The Spaniard, whose team are away to Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final on Wednesday night, is set to take over at Manchester City next season.

Guardiola's men are on course to win a third straight Bundesliga title, but success in Europe has so far proved elusive and they are aiming to avoid what would be elimination to a Spanish team at the same stage for three campaigns in a row.

Josep Guardiola kisses the trophy at the end of the UEFA Champions League final football match FC Barcelona vs. Manchester United
Image: Guardiola led Barcelona to two Champions League titles

His predecessor Jupp Heynckes delivered the 2013 Champions League with victory over Jurgen Klopp's Borussia Dortmund at Wembley but Guardiola has suffered defeat in the last four of the tournament to Real Madrid and then Barcelona during his time in Bavaria.

"In three years, we have got to three semi-finals, but I know that people say if I don't win the Champions League, my work won't be complete," Guardiola said.

"But I've been very lucky to have experienced what I have in Germany. I think I am a better coach, a better person, more relaxed."

Bayern Munich celebrate reaching the DFB-Pokal final
Image: Bayern Munich celebrate reaching the DFB-Pokal final

Guardiola has outlined the threat facing the German champions on Wednesday night and says the biggest compliment he can pay Diego Simeone and his team is that they are now compared to both Barcelona and cross-city rivals Real Madrid.

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Atletico knocked Barca out in the quarter-finals of the Champions League and are second in La Liga only on their head-to-head record against Luis Enrique's side.

"It has been five years since I was involved against them, but from what I have seen and what people say, they defend well, though that's not all they do," said Guardiola.

Guardiola spoke to the media ahead of his side's clash with Atletico Madrid
Image: Guardiola spoke to the media ahead of his side's clash with Atletico Madrid

"They're extremely well organised, they've got a good structure defensively, they close space, they have a great counter-attack. In football, you have to adapt and we will adapt to get the best result we can. We know all the teams are difficult and Atletico are no exception.

"You can compare them to Barca and Madrid - when they play against the big European clubs, they can confound the favourites. It will be a great game, complete and fun at the same time, and we will do all we can to get the final.

Antoine Griezmann of Atletico celebrates his team's first goal
Image: Atletico Madrid knocked Barcelona out of the Champions League

"They have been fighting for the league title for the last three or four seasons as well as in Europe, so you have to do almost everything very well against them. But we will have to see what we can do in order to hurt them."

Simeone says his sole focus is on winning the tie and brushed off the supposed clash of styles between the sides.

"We have to be thinking about one thing: winning," he said. "I am expecting a hard match against an opponent with a lot of attacking potential, against a coach who changes from game to game. We will try to take the game into our hands where and when we can.

Diego Simeone: Believes Atletico Madrid can target the title this season
Image: Guardiola has praised the work of Diego Simeone at Atletico Madrid

"Obviously we have a coach and players with different characteristics, but in wars, it isn't the side with the most soldiers that wins, rather the side that uses its soldiers better.

"They are in the same position as us - and to win the league, you have to win games. I want my side to win, nothing more."

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