Hoffenheim vs Bayern Munich preview - Selection dilemma a problem for Pep

Posted Friday, August 21, 2015 by PA

Coach Pep Guardiola says his toughest job at Bayern Munich has always been trying to keep his richly talented squad happy as they prepare for their first Bundesliga away game of the season at Hoffenheim on Saturday.

The Bavarians got their quest for a record fourth straight league title off to an emphatic start last Friday by beating Hamburg 5-0, and now they are looking to follow that up with a second straight win.

Guardiola admits, however, that the biggest challenge he faces is not necessarily from his side's opponents, but from within his own squad.

Keeping everybody happy in such a large squad means making some painful decisions, and Guardiola knows he will have more to make this weekend.

"All of my players want to play, but it is up to me to decide who will not play," Guardiola told the German media.

"That's my only problem."

He has taken one step to make it an easier decision by dropping a trio of players to his reserve team until further notice.

Julian Green, Sinan Kurt and Gianluca Gaudino will now gain match practice in the German fourth division rather than making the trip to Sinsheim just to sit on the bench.

"If I need them, then they will return to train with us," said the Catalan. "But they need match practice.

"Young players need to be playing. Training alone is not enough, if they are not playing at the weekend.

"Last year, they were with us at the Nou Camp. They were also with us in China (in pre-season).

"I think they are in a good place here, and if they fight hard, they will be promoted with the reserves and be playing in the third division next season."

It is all part of a plan to ensure Bayern not only win the title but to ensure Guardiola can take his place in the club's history books on a par with his predecessor.

"I am doing my best for this club in order to emulate Jupp Heynckes by winning the treble," added Guardiola, who has fallen short in the Champions League in each of the past two seasons.

"I've done my best, and I am doing my best."

Many will believe that the best Hoffenheim can hope for this weekend is not to be beaten as heavily as Hamburg were a week ago, but their coach Markus Gisdol is not sharing the public opinion.

His side may have started the season with a 2-1 defeat to Bayer Leverkusen, but they showed enough in that game to suggest they can be a match for Bayern.

"This game is the hardest of the season in terms of difficulty, but it's the easiest in terms of people's expectations," he said at a press conference.

"There are not many people who expect us to get anything on Saturday, but we have pretty high hopes."

History does not necessarily support Gisdol's thesis, however, with Hoffenheim yet to beat Bayern in 18 previous meetings, losing 14 and drawing just four.