Pep Guardiola offers the greatest threat to the Catalans' European crown, according to a man who has tasted success at the highest level with the Camp Nou outfit
Former Barcelona full-back Jon Andoni Goikoetxea believes Bayern Munich will offer his side the greatest test in the Champions League as they both prepare to play the first leg of their last-16 ties.
Barcelona head to London to face Arsenal on Tuesday, while Bayern will tackle Juventus in Turin on the same night.
Goikoetxea achieved recognition playing for Johan Cruyff's ‘Dream Team’ in the early 90s and made 36 appearances for Spain, winning the European Cup and four La Liga titles in the process.
Pep Guardiola was a team-mate of his, and he has backed the Catalan boss to taste more European success with Bayern.
“The greatest rival for Barcelona is Bayern Munich, even if Real Madrid can never be discounted,” he told Goal. “They always appear at the big moments and you never know with them.
“But I believe Bayern are Barca’s true rivals.”
Asked to consider his former role and how it would be adapted to today’s Barcelona, he replied: “Today it is a very important role for Barcelona, who need solid players because of the way the team dominates the game. The full-backs need to open up the pitch to make it easier to retain possession. They could even make the difference against Arsenal.
“Dani Alves and Aleix Vidal move about a great deal on the pitch. Vidal can run as much as he wants. Sergi Roberto is a player who could play right-back in the Dream Team. He is very useful in home games, where there is less reliance on defensive solidarity.”
- Goal