Pep Guardiola claims Eintracht Frankfurt's 6-1 defeat to Hertha Berlin last week could spell trouble for his Bayern Munich team as he prepares for his first away match in charge of the Bundesliga champions.
Frankfurt were sent crashing to the foot of the table by a tennis score on the opening day of the season, but Guardiola expects the Eagles to be out for revenge on Saturday. With Thiago Alcantara and Bastian Schweinsteiger both fit, covering the positions in the defensive midfield is the least of Guardiola's concerns.
"That result is the worst thing for us," Guardiola said at a press conference. "They are going to be very focused and will have worked very hard. I am always concerned by our opponents, and have been throughout my entire career. It's my job to analyze their strengths and weaknesses - that's why I am a coach.
"I know that Frankfurt are always dangerous. Especially after international games, it's always hard for Bayern," Guardiola said. "We had only a few players in training here, but I hope we do well."
His job also consists of picking the right players to win games and that could mean Mario Gotze makes his Bayern debut. The Germany international had a run-out in a friendly match last Sunday and is part of the squad for Saturday's trip.
"If he's fit, then he's got a good chance of playing," said Guardiola. "He's getting there step by step and he will be coming to Frankfurt with us. I'll make my mind up about the team at the last minute. I want to see the eyes, the minds and the legs of the players. He only played half an hour in Hungary. He doesn't run like (Franck) Ribery or (David) Alaba, but he is very intelligent and he's a very special player."
Guardiola has many special players within his squad, even after the sale of Luiz Gustavo to Wolfsburg on Friday. "It was his decision to leave Bayern," said the Catalan. "I would have liked him to stay. Now I wish him all the best in his career. He was an important player for this club, a great lad."
Frankfurt coach Armin Veh had a few more bodies in training, but not Sebastian Jung, who has an adductor injury. "I can't say whether he will play," said Veh, who has Stephan Schrock or Stefano Celozzi as alternatives.
