Guardiola blasts Bayern Munich players over Juventus draw

– The Bayern Munich team coach has rued his team’s 2 -2 draw at Juventus

– Guardiola has questioned his team’s fitness level

– Says he hopes to manage the Italian national team someday

Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola was far from impressed, and has questioned his team’s fitness level after watching his side allow a two-goal lead to slip in Turin.

The German champions proved too strong for Juventus for about an hour in the Champions League last-16 tie, and went two goals up from Thomas Muller and Arjen Robben strikes.

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A lack of concentration in defence allowed Paulo Dybala to pull one goal back which increased the level of confidence in the home-side before Stefano Sturaro netted the equaliser 14 minutes from time, in pulsating first leg.

Guardiola believed his team should have maintained the lead, but admitted that the Italian giants are also a strong side.

“The result is what it is,”said Guardiola,“I know that in Italy you are about physical condition. I don’t give a f*** for the physical condition. It’s the mental question that I care about.

“I didn’t expect to come here and expect Juve not to shoot on target, or that we would play 90 fantastic minutes.

“They have players like (Mario) Mandzukic, (Paul) Pogba and (Leonardo) Bonucci, one of my all-time favourite players. And we showed character.”

With two valuable away goals and the tie level, Bayern remain favourites to reach the last eight, but they leave Turin in the knowledge their position could have been far stronger.

“We could have won the game,” said Guardiola. “We have a team with many youngsters. We will learn from this. Don’t forget it was Juventus.

“We played a great team, the finalists in the Champions League last year. We did not play a team from the provinces. They have won four titles in Italy. Last year, they went further than us.

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“It’s a shame how it finished but I am very satisfied in the end with what we did. You say we lack character. On the contrary. We came here, had the ball, created chances and scored goals.

“Will it be enough to go through? I don’t know. I would like to sit here after a win but the result is what it is.

“I am very happy with how I did. It is probably the evening that I am the most pleased as coach in my career. Maybe one day I will work in Italy. If they want me.

Guardiola was appointed as the new manager of the English Premier League side Manchester City for next season on a three year deal.

The 45-year-old will replace Manuel Pellegrini, who will leave on June 30.

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