Bayern’s Guardiola short at the back as Juve loom
Pep Guardiola acknowledges Bayern Munich has a height problem ahead
of their key Champions League clash at Juventus as an injury crisis has
left them short at the back — literally.
While striker Robert Lewandowski is head and shoulders above his
rivals, scoring twice in Sunday’s 3-1 win at Augsburg, injuries meant
Bayern fielded a back four with an average height of under five foot
nine inches (1.75m).
“Every team in the world is stronger in the header than we are. It’s
not an ideal situation,” complained Guardiola ahead of next Tuesday’s
Champions League clash in Turin.
Guardiola has been stripped of centre-backs after Holger Badstuber
fractured an ankle in training last Saturday, while Javi Martinez and
Jerome Boateng are sidelined long-term by knee and groin injuries.
Boateng has said he is on target to meet his goal of returning to
training in April, “but I won’t set a date to put myself under
pressure”, while Badstuber is now out of hospital after surgery, but is
not expected to play again this season.
“It’s a big shock for me, but I can promise everyone I will return,”
said Badstuber after suffering his fourth serious injury since December
2012.
Medhi Benatia is returning from injury, while loan signing Serdar
Tasci is lacking conditioning after joining from Spartak Moscow and was
concussed in his first training session.
Without a single fit centre-back, Guardiola used Juan Bernat (1.72m)
and Philipp Lahm (1.70m) as wing-backs against Augsburg with left-back
David Alaba (1.80m) and defensive midfielder Joshua Kimmich (1.74m)
paired up at centre-back.
In attack, Bayern are scoring goals for fun through two giants of the game.
Lewandowski has 21 goals in 20 league games with 31 in all
competitions, while Thomas Mueller has also hit 15 league goals in a
total from 22.
But Bayern’s bosses are concerned about the height of Juve’s key
forwards Mario Mandzukic (1.87m), Alvaro Morata (1.90m) and Paulo Dybala
(1.77m), especially from corners and set piece situations.
“Then we’ll just have to stop them jumping higher,” joked Bayern’s director of sport Matthias Sammer.
“They’ll have to make their presence felt for crosses, but Philipp, Joshua or Juan are all incredibly savvy.”
Bayern are desperate to celebrate Guardiola’s departure for
Manchester City with silverware after exiting the Champions League at
the semi-finals stage for the last two seasons under the Spaniard’s
steerage.
But their injury situation could be a blessing in disguise as
Guardiola’s current back four are all fleet-footed and have their
team-mates’ trust.
Mueller needs no convincing.
“They are all strong in the tackle, dedicated, fast and have
everything you need, maybe except the size of a classic central
defender,” added the Germany forward.
Bayern host mid-table Darmstadt on Saturday, then Juventus on
Tuesday, before two key away German league matches as they look to
protect their eight-point lead at Wolfsburg, on February 27, and
second-placed Borussia Dortmund on March 5.
“We need to show plenty of spirit,” said Sammer.
“We have to be able to prove we can live with playing there (at Wolfsburg and Dortmund).
“I’m sure the team will manage it.”

