BEST IN WORLD

Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola has said that he thinks goalkeeper Manuel Neuer is one of the best in the world. The former Schalke goalkeeper moved to the Allianz Arena back in 2011 and he has been hugely successful in the last two years with the German giants. He has managed to lift all major domestic trophies along with the Champions league title as well. The 27-year-old is still very young in terms of goalkeeper standards and he could go on and achieve a lot of things according to Guardiola, who has seen firsthand what Neuer can do.

Guardiola has also hinted that the decision to move Philipp Lahm into a deep lying midfield role could be permanent one. The former Barcelona manager is not new to playing players out of position on a consistent basis. Even though Javier Mascherano is a midfielder, he was utilised as a defender at Barcelona. Lahm has been one of the best attacking fullbacks in the world over the last decade, but he has been utilised in a midfield role occasionally by Guardiola season. This has been of limited success, but the former Barcelona manager plans to stick by this decision.

Guardiola has also revealed that summer signing Mario Gotze is expected to be part of team against Hannover.

“Neuer is one of the best [goalkeepers] ever and one of the best in the world. Lahm plays unbelievable in midfield. He could play there even once everybody is fit. Gotze will make the squad. He just needs some time and has to develop. We are ready for this ‘final’. In Germany, contrary to Spain, every match in this competition is a final. Bayern have been in the [real] final for the last two years and we want to go there again. I want to experience that feeling,” said Guardiola.