Pep Guardiola has commented on Barcelona-Bayern, the balance between German and Spanish football and his gratitude to Johan Cruyff and Lionel Messi.
The former Barcelona boss, who takes over at Bayern in the summer, was in Colombia for a talk at the international G12 Bogota convention.
Unable to avoid comment on tonight’s Champions League semi-final second leg between his former and future teams, the 42-year-old reflected on how it ‘brings up a lot of feelings’.
“Both teams are fantastic, anything can happen,” Guardiola told reporters at the event.
“They are teams that have a unique standing within their own Leagues, what they have achieved this season is well deserved. I’m very impatient.
“A prediction for the game? I suck at forecasting (laughs)…
“Real Madrid-Borussia Dortmund? It was a very exciting match. The result was big in the first leg and with Real Madrid, you can never say that something is over at the Bernabeu until the referee whistles. I speak from experience.”
Guardiola, who has been on a sabbatical from the game this year, was asked of the two Champions League semi-finals as proof that German football is emerging as a dominant force over the Spanish.
“German football has been very interesting this year. But, Spanish football, thanks to two very important people in Luis Aragones and Vicente del Bosque, has reached very high levels.
“It is not just the one European Championship, they have won two, and the World Cup, whilst we will watch and see what happens in Brazil.
“Spain has dominated football in the past 12 years. Beyond the titles won, it is of great pride that Spanish football is so well represented in the world.
“The Premier League is always among the top three, Italy has dropped a little, in these countries the economy has affected things, whilst sometimes it is normal to go through trends, we must wait for the passage of time.”
The tactician then reflected on Barca’s style of play that he successfully reintroduced from 2008-2012.
“Cruyff started it all. He has been the most influential person for what Barca are.
“Everyone has the ability to do things, but if one is to say that they have to do something from scratch, I would not have been able to say that.
“Eventually, after being with him as a Coach, I learned many things. I cannot imagine Barcelona without what he did 20 years ago.
“Those who came after put their touch on things, but with him I have an eternal gratitude.”
Guardiola also named Lionel Messi has bearing an influence on his work.
“All that can be said falls short of praise. He has been part of my training as a Coach, I have learned a lot from him, it’s a pleasure to see him and enjoy what he does.”
Guardiola also briefly looked ahead to his future.
“Defeat will one day come and if I want my career to be long, at some point it will come. At that moment it is when you see great Coaches.
“I arrived at Barcelona with a legacy I tried to respect, whilst the players who are currently at Barcelona will be the Coaches of the future.”
