Make or break for Pep Guardiola as Bayern Munich boss has growing concerns

Bayern Munich boss Pep Guardiola will be desperate to see his side overturn their 1-0 deficit in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final clash with Atletico Madrid on Tuesday night.

The Spanish tactician will leave Bavaria this summer to take up his new role at Manchester City, and having delivered two Bundesliga titles, a UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup, some would argue that it is job done already.

A third league title and another cup could be on their way this year despite the fact that Bayern missed the opportunity at the weekend to wrap up the Bundesliga race, and so the former Barcelona boss will leave with more silverware to show for his efforts.

However, his failures in Europe will be a red mark against his tenure with the German giants as a club the stature of Bayern with the history that it has, will expect a Champions League triumph from a man widely recognised as the best tactician in football.

Injuries, a loss of form for key players and mental and physical fatigue in recent weeks have all contributed to question marks being raised over whether or not Bayern are capable of one final push to end the season on a high.

The goals have dried up for Robert Lewandowski, the likes of Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery are struggling with injury and the team hasn’t been at the level they set earlier in the campaign.

In Diego Simeone and Atletico, Guardiola finds the antidote to his style of football, and the La Liga title hopefuls will be confident of producing another shut out with their relentless defensive approach and threat up front.

Guardiola will be desperate to get to the Champions League final, despite the fact that it could pit him against his future employers if City come through against Real Madrid.

Nevertheless, with Bundesliga titles ultimately the minimum expectation for any Bayern coach, a triumph in Europe will secure his legacy at the club and silence his doubters ahead of what is arguably the toughest test of his coaching career to date in England next season.

CREDIT TO:http://www.caughtoffside.com/2016/05/03/make-or-break-for-pep-guardiola-as-bayern-munich-boss-has-growing-concerns/