'Thousands have tried' - Bayern ponder how to stop Messi
Barcelona's Argentine forward Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring a goal during their Uefa Champions League round of 16 second leg match against Napoli at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on August 8, 2020.
What you need to know:
- Bayern are chasing the treble having already won an eigth straight Bundesliga title and lifted the German Cup, but Goretzka says Barcelona present a true test.
- "There is no easy way now. We are here in the sun in Portugal and are preparing for a knockout game in the Champions League," he said.
LISBON
Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretzka said the German giants are working out how to curb the legendary talents of Barcelona star Lionel Messi ahead of Friday's Champions League quarter-final.
"Thousands of people before me have tried to answer this question," Goretzka replied Tuesday in Lisbon when asked how to stop Messi.
"It is nice - after playing against (Juventus star Cristiano) Ronaldo a few times - to play the other formative player of the last decade.
Barcelona's Argentine forward Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring a goal during their Uefa Champions League round of 16 second leg match against Napoli at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on August 8, 2020.
"That can only be done collectively," the 25-year-old central midfielder said of Messi, "because he is a gifted footballer".
"I don't know how, but we have to force our game on them."
Messi scored his 31st goal this season on Saturday and is looking to lift the Champions League for the fifth time in his career with Barcelona.
Barcelona's Argentine forward Lionel Messi runs with the ball as he vies for it with Napoli's Italian forward Lorenzo Insigne (right) during their Uefa Champions League round of 16 second leg match at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on August 8, 2020.
Treble-chasing Bayern, however, have won all 13 games since the coronavirus lockdown restart.
Bayern Munich's Polish forward Robert Lewandowski celebrates scoring his team's fourth goal during their Uefa Champions League, second-leg round of 16, match against Chelsea in Munich, southern Germany on August 8, 2020.
They underlined their impressive form on Saturday when Robert Lewandowski, the Champions League's top scorer, netted twice and created two more in the last 16, second-leg rout of Chelsea to seal a 7-1 thrashing on aggregate.
Bayern are chasing the treble having already won an eigth straight Bundesliga title and lifted the German Cup, but Goretzka says Barcelona present a true test.
Bayern Munich's Brazilian midfielder Philippe Coutinho (left) fights for the ball with Chelsea's Danish defender Andreas Christensen during their UEFA Champions League, second-leg round of 16 match in Munich, southern Germany on August 8, 2020.
"There is no easy way now. We are here in the sun in Portugal and are preparing for a knockout game in the Champions League," he said.
"We're really up for it. Knockout matches are great."
While Barcelona are packed with stars alongside Messi, Goretzka says Bayern are far more than just Lewandowski's goals.
Bayern Munich's Croatian midfielder Ivan Perisic celebrates with his teammates after scoring his team's second goal during their Uefa Champions League, second-leg round of 16, match against Chelsea in Munich, southern Germany on August 8, 2020. Tobias Schwarz | Afp
"At the moment, we're playing as a unit, in addition to the quality of the individual players.
"We have a clear plan in hand and our intensity without the ball can make the difference."
But he admitted being wary of Arturo Vidal, Barca's ex-Bayern midfielder.
"I got to know him for a few weeks and played against him many times. He has a first-class mentality with amazing fitness," added Goretzka.
"I noticed that during fitness tests - which I took next to him - he can go beyond the pain threshold."
