The Spanish coach is low on options ahead of the match versus Bayer Leverkusen, while he also had words of encouragement for Mario Gotze
Pep Guardiola has revealed that Bayern Munich only have 16 players available for Wednesday’s DFB Pokal clash with Bayer Leverkusen as they are being plagued by injuries.
The Allianz Arena side were already without Arjen Robben, Franck Ribery, David Alaba, Javi Martinez and Tom Starke, but Bastian Schweinsteiger has now been ruled out of Wednesday’s encounter at the BayArena, too.
“Schweinsteiger will not be match fit in time,” Guardiola said at a press conference.
“We only have 16 players available for Wednesday’s game. But this is part of the game. It’s my job to find a solution.
“Holger Badstuber is doubtful. I think he can train normally again and we will then have to wait and see how his body reacts.
“We are not looking for excuses, though. It will be a huge challenge for Bayern.”
The Bayern coach then went on to praise Mario Gotze, who was benched against Borussia Dortmund at the weekend, and Jerome Boateng.
“I know that it was a sad moment for Gotze that he did not start against Dortmund. He is a great guy, though. Football is his life. He is one of the best players I have ever worked with and I am sorry that he could not play. But that was my decision.
“Boateng is incredibly important to us. I think he is one of the three best centre-backs in the world at the moment.”