Bayern Munich boss Pep Guardiola has hailed his side as they came back from the brink of Champions League elimination to beat Juventus 6-4 on aggregate in their Last 16 tie.
The two teams headed into Wednesday’s second-leg at the Allianz Arena level at 2-2 on aggregate, but it was the Italian side who took control of the contest as they scored two first-half goals through Paul Pogba and Juan Cuadrado.
Bayern bounced back in the second-half thanks to Robert Lewandowski and an injury-time equaliser from Thomas Muller, before Thiago Alcantara and former Juve player Kingsley Coman completed the comeback in extra time.
After the match Guardiola revealed his delight that his side had managed to battle their way back into the tournament, but he was also quick to praise the Old Lady, who will now have to concentrate on domestic matters.
He said: “We played and won against one of last season’s finalists. We scored four goals against an Italian team. And now we are playing in the quarter-finals. So congratulations to my players but also to Juventus.”
The 45-year-old admitted that he had to rouse his players during the half-time interval in Munich, as he knew the night’s third goal could be pivotal, and so it proved.
He added: “During half-time I told the players that they could not afford to concede another goal, but that if we could score one ourselves, anything could happen, especially with the German mentality.”
Bayern will now find out who their quarter-final opponents will be during Friday’s draw in Nyon and they are available at 3.75 to secure their sixth European crown come the end of the campaign.
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