The German champions are shorn of several star men for the game at Camp Nou but the goalkeeper insists they will not play defensively
Manuel Neuer says injury-ravaged Bayern Munich have no intention of ‘parking the bus’ in Wednesday’s Champions League semi-final showdown with Barcelona.
The Bavarians have arrived in Catalunya without a host of first-team players, including star winger Arjen Robben, and on a low after seeing their treble dream ended by Borussia Dortmund last week before suffering a shocking Bundesliga loss at Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday.
Barca, by contrast, are not only in rude health but also sensational form, having won their last six games in all competitions, racking up 14 goals in their last two Liga outings alone.
However, Neuer insist that Bayern have no intention of turning up at Camp Nou and trying to shut up shop.
“We’re not going to park the bus,” the goalkeeper told reporters on the eve of the first-leg clash. “The system at the back isn’t important.
“We’re approaching the match tomorrow with confidence.”
Neuer also insisted that he won’t be doing anything different either, even though he faces the daunting task of trying to keep out Barcelona’s much-vaunted attacking trio of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar, who have netted 108 goals in all competitions between them this season.
“Before important games I don’t change my preparation,” the Germany international stated.
“But I of course know Messi, Suarez and Neymar very well and I also know that they can turn any game.”
Neuer also expressed his admiration for Barcelona counterpart Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who will once again take over in goal from Luis Enrique’s first-choice goalkeeper for La Liga games, Claudio Bravo.
“He’s a good keeper,” the World Cup winner added. “He’s very good with both feet. He’ll be back in our national team very soon.”