Bayern's Guardiola demands full gas at Gladbach

Last Updated: Thursday, January 23, 2014, 19:38

  

Berlin: Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola has demanded a convincing display over 90 minutes when the off-form Bundesliga leaders take on Borussia Moenchengladbach on Friday.

The European and Club World Cup champions enjoy a seven-point gap at the top of the table, but have only won once on their last six visits to `Gladbach`s Borussia Park.

Lucien Favre`s `Gladbach produced a strong display towards the end of 2013 with an eight-match unbeaten run, including six-straight victories, to claim third place from Borussia Dortmund.

Guardiola is concerned about Bayern`s current form after suffering a shock 3-0 defeat at Austrian league leaders Red Bull Salzburg last Saturday in a friendly with an experimental three-man defence.

He has said he wants 90 minutes of quality football after Bayern won December`s Club World Cup final in Marrakech despite only convincing in the first half.

The Spanish boss wants a passionate display to blow away the cobwebs as the Bundesliga resumes after the four-week winter break as Bayern face three league games in 10 days.

"We have to make sure we have the passion back in our game, many people are telling me how hard it will be in Moenchengladbach," said Guardiola.

"We could lose tomorrow, we played well in the final in Marrakech, but only for the first 45 minutes, no more.

"We lost last Saturday because Red Bull Salzburg were better than us, it was a good warning and a good test for us, because it shows what can happen if we aren`t in the right head space."

Bayern captain Philipp Lahm did not train with the team on Wednesday, while Guardiola has said Germany star Bastian Schweinsteiger will miss out as he recovers still from ankle surgery.

A question mark hangs over France winger Franck Ribery, while Dutch forward Arjen Robben should be fit to play having recovered from a badly-cut thigh.

"Franck has had a leg problem in the last few days, I don`t know if he will be able to play or not," said Guardiola.

"Bastian definitely stays at home, Arjen trained with the squad for the first time on Wednesday and he will be able to play."

AFP ---------------------- ZEENEWS.com