Bayern: Business as usual or a catastrophe?

It is something that is following multi-functional Pep Guardiola like a shadow during his last weeks as head coach of Bayern Munich: The option is are either business as usual or a catastrophe.

After having survived Juventus Turin in the round of the last 16 in the Champions League with a black eye (4-2 after extra time), Benfica Lisbon in the quarterfinals (April 5 and 13) could be the next tricky trap on his way to finishing his era in Germany to everyone's satisfaction.

Despite Guardiola expressing a clear warning not to underestimate the Portuguese team, things are clear: To be eliminated against the "underdog" would come close to a being catastrophe.

While Guardiola has to work multi-functionally as, alongside his job in Munich - where he wants to finish his reign on a high note - he is also working on his preparing Manchester City for the next season. Happy at not having to face the so-called big guns of European football like Real Madrid or Barcelona, Guardiola and Bayern have to accept the role as favorites against Benfica. Not much speaks against the Bavarians and that itself is a potential danger.

Since April 2014, Bayern has won all of its 10 Champions League home games and many see Benfica on the way to greater things. And it is, it must be despite the warning example from last season when Bayern was also favorite against the Portuguese side FC Porto and promptly lost the first leg 3-1 and needed a huge effort in the second leg (6-1) to proceed to the next round.

"I'm upset about all this talking of us having got a bye with Benfica," said Bayern CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge. "We have an obligation to perform well in the first game as it is a home one," said team captain Philipp Lahm.

Having to replace the injured Arjen Robben, Bayern expects to face a rather defensive side and a big challenge as "we have to overcome a well-organized defense," as Bayern striker Robert Lewandowski puts it.

The question now is: Is Bayern ready? Against Benfica, Guardiola should be.

Besides having to stay fully concentrated, Bayern's motivation is being strengthened a possible imminent return of the key figure Jerome Boateng. Javier Martinez is back already and an option for the Benfica games.

This time Bayern does not have to worry about not being able to pose a serious challenge in a possible semifinal against Real or "Barca". And nothing less than that is occupying their minds, despite the fact, that behind closed doors, the squad for the next season is about to be put together.

None of the questions that are being asked should disturb coach and team. Such as: What will with Mario Goetze once the season is finished? Or: Will Lewandowski (contract until 2019) follow the example of Boateng, David Alaba, Javier Martinez, Thomas Mueller and Xabi Alonso who almost all extended their contracts until 2021? And: Who is on the list of Bayern's next coach Carlo Ancelotti as rumors grow Bayern that has placed an offer for Real defender Pepe?

Many thoughts are going through the minds of everybody in Munich, for the time being it will be a challenge to not focus too much on them as the current tasks are hard enough. So it looks like a sort of philosophical task: Keep your mind off the future, live and play in the here and now.

Some see the Benfica draw as "sign", like Alonso who said: "You don't get many second chances in the Champions League. We have had our second chance in the second leg against Juventus as Thomas Mueller scored the 2-2 in the dying seconds and we were able to go on to win in extra time."

Looking at Bayern's record against Benfica Lisbon, the task does not look like a threat. In six duel's, Bayern has won all of its three games at home plus to two draws and one victory in the away games. Nevertheless, Bayern is trying to avoid taking on the favorite's role so that they do not lose the necessary concentration.

Guardiola, the club officials and the squad are all aware, the tie against Benfica comes close to getting a bye but at the same time there is a distinct possibility that it might end in a catastrophe if things go wrong.

Having to overcome Benfica can be seen as a test for the soon-to-leave Guardiola and Bayern as they are basically only bound in the next few weeks by the job in hand. Now the two have to prove that their intent to create a happy end to mark Guardiola's departure is strong enough to withstand all the coming potential pitfalls.

Despite the officials keeping their true feelings to themsleves, French striker Franck Ribery recently said what dominates all Bavarian minds. "We all, like our coach, dream of winning the Champions League," said Ribery. For now that means nothing less than: Stay concentrated against Benfica and forget about what will come next. Endi