Bayern Munich meeting with Barcelona in the quarter-finals of the Champions League is definitely the match of the round and Arturo Vidal has said that the German champions are playing the world’s best team.
Vidal, who has enjoyed success with both clubs domestically is yet to win the Champions League.
Speaking ahead of the clash in Lisbon, the Chilean said his former team will be facing “the best team in the world” in tonight’s contest and not “any old team in the Bundesliga”.
The bookmakers have rated Bayern ahead of their Spanish counterparts. Although they are both five-time winners of the European Cup, many have picked Bayern to win the tournament for the first time since 2013.
“I understand the pessimism but we are the best team in the world.
“The problem is that we don’t always show it,” the Chilean said.
Will Messi inspire Barcelona again?
Although Lionel Messi inspired them to a 3-1 win over Napoli in the return leg of the round of 16 clash, will he be able to smile this time around as well?
It could be noted that Barca have failed to inspire this season, which culminated in being dethroned La Liga champions after losing it to Real Madrid.
The situation has further left manager Quique Setien, who was appointed in January after the sack of Ernesto Valverde to be under huge pressure.
In contrast, Bayern has been phenomenal since the restart and they swept to an eighth-straight Bundesliga win.
“Bayern will be confident but they must know that tomorrow (today) they’re not playing any old team in the Bundesliga, they’re playing against Barca.
“We have Leo [Messi], we have the best players and we want to prove ourselves.”
With the winners of the game set to play either Manchester City or Lyon in the semi-final, they both have goal threats.
Obviously, Bayern’s main goal threat is Poland striker Robert Lewandowski. The forward has scored 13 goals in seven Champions League games this term and is four behind Cristiano Ronaldo’s record haul in one season.
This is a fact acknowledged by the Chilean, who admitted that it will be difficult to stop him.
“Lewandowski is extraordinary, very dangerous, an insatiable goalscorer.
“It’s going to be very difficult to stop him but it’s impossible to compare him with Messi, who is from another planet.
“But you could say that Lewandowski is the best striker in the world alongside Luis Suarez,” he added.
Ousmane Dembele back in action for Barca
Meanwhile, Barcelona’s attack has been boosted with the return of Ousmane Dembele to training.
Dembele had been out of action since November after rupturing his thigh muscle. He has been included in the match-day squad. This means he is likely to have a taste of action.
LATEST NEWS | 🚦@Dembouz gets the green light! 🟢💨 pic.twitter.com/YZDR1QRL0p
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) August 13, 2020
He is therefore available for selection in Lisbon for the Bayern clash. With the trident of Antoine Girezman/Dembele, Luis Suarez, and Lionel Messi, Bayern defense won’t be having a field day.
