Bayern Munich's Spanish manpower: Atletico will take us to our limits

The Spanish influence on Bayern Munich's style is obvious for all to see. In addition to the coach Pep Guardiola, four other Spaniards play for the Bavarian club that has reached the semi-final of the Champions League where they will meet Atletico Madrid.

Xinhua talked to Xabi Alonso, Javier Martinez, Thiago and Juan Bernat about Bayern's next challenge in the Champions League such as Atletico Madrid beginning with the first leg next Wednesday in Madrid.

Xinhua: Mr. Thiago, what is the biggest challenge for a club like Bayern Munich when the tight end-of-season games begin?

Thiago: You have to take every game as a final and be ready in your mind. You have to prepare yourself for such a situation. It means every game is a matter of life or death. At the same time you should not forget to have fun and play with passion.

Xinhua: That sounds like a challenge indeed for you and the club. On the way to the fourth German title in a row, things look good now after you have opened up a seven-point gap. You have also reached the German Cup final and in the Champions League, you are one step away from the final. Everyone is already talking about the semi-final games against Atletico.

Thiago: It's a part of the challenge, we close to the title in all three competitions but we haven't made it yet. At the moment we primarily have to concentrate on the Bundesliga and the next game against Hertha BSC. It does not make sense to think about games that take place in a few days or in a few weeks. When it comes to the end of the season, and you are in the hunt for titles, it is the only strategy that helps you to be successful in the long run.

Xinhua: Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has signed a new contract until 2021. Is it an important message too when it comes to the important games?

Thiago: Season finishes or not, it firstly shows we all feel at home at this club as many of my teammates have signed new contracts. We are now happy to keep Manuel Neuer as it is always great to have the world's best keeper in your club.

Xinhua: At the end of the season, coach Pep Guardiola will leave. Will it influence the season finish and what, let's say, heritage will be left after Guardiola has gone?

Thiago: It is always something positive to win titles together, but it is just as important to take a look at the development of a team. The Bundesliga has always been a strong league, but in the last years a lot of things have changed. It has improved and is more open to influence from outside. Pep has done a lot to support that development. He has implemented new tactical systems. It is not unusual anymore to play different tactical systems within one game and change. Guardiola's time in Germany is not over yet, but you can already say his three years have been extraordinary years for us all.

Xinhua: What about your time so far in Germany?

Thiago: I have developed a lot myself and not only as a footballer, but as a human being as well. You learn a new language, you try to find your place in a new team and country. I have left my home country and have met some amazing people here. I am really looking forward to more.

Xinhua: You are someone that loves football, not only as a player but as a spectator and fan. Is that true?

Thiago: I love to watch football. You can call football the passion of my life. Spanish, French, English and German football, I like to watch it all.

Xinhua: That means you will take a closer look at Atletico Madrid?

Thiago: (Laughing) If I can see an Atletico game. I can take a close look at my home country's football.

Xinhua: As an expert for Spanish football, is it a surprise to see Atletico in the Champions League semi-final and challenging for the Spanish league title?

Thiago: We will play a team that is more or less in the same position as us. They have a game every three or four days. But a surprise? No. There is nothing lucky about them being among the best. Atletico deserves respect from us all around the globe. They have achieved extraordinary things this season. And they have been successful for many years now. The club has developed an idea and follows it constantly. Atletico will take us to our limits in the two matches. After all, they eliminated last season's Champions League winner Barcelona. And in the Spanish League they are chasing the big two Real and Barca.

Xinhua: In the last two years, Bayern Munich has lost the semi-finals against Real and Barcelona. How are your feelings regarding this time around. Has Bayern changed or improved?

Thiago: I don't like to take a look back, it does not make sense. A semi-final is always a very special challenge, no matter in which competition. But maybe you are right, some vital things have changed compared to the last two years. We still have to work hard in the league to win the title and we are full of energy. Last year we won the German title early and were not fully concentrated for the rest of the season. We have improved as a team.

Xinhua: Is it an advantage that Bayern has often had to play against defensively-minded teams. And Atletico is regarded as having a strong defense?

Thiago: I am sure Atletico has reached the semi-final because they have a solid defense but that is not the only reason. Every team in the semi-final has to have a solid defense otherwise they wouldn't have got that far. If you don't defend well, you are out. Looking at Atletico, you have to look at their strong strikers too.

Xinhua: Mr. Alonso, many see Bayern Munich as the favorite in the semi-final against Atletico Madrid. Do you agree?

Alonso: In the semi-final of the Champions League there are no favorites anymore.

Xinhua: You could have told us that Atletico eliminated the title holders Barcelona.

Alonso: (Smiling) I could have, but even if Atletico had eliminated some other team there would still be no favorites. It just shows all that Atletico is one of the world's top clubs.

Xinhua: The atmosphere in the Estadio Vicente Calderon is famous. Nobody knows better than you as you have often played against Atletico with Real.

Alonso: Pep Guardiola knows it better than I do, I think. But I can tell you we will be prepared for Calderon.

Xinhua: Is it an advantage that you have to play the first leg in Madrid and the second at home?

Alonso: I'm not sure if it plays a role at all. Of course, goals you let in the first game can influence your mind, meaning it is important mentally. But in the first place you have to be concentrated all the time.

Xinhua: What importance has a Champions League semi-final for you?

Alonso: It's my ninth semi-final and I hope to be able to lift the cup for the third time with the third different club. To get to the final is a goal we all share at Bayern Munich.

Xinhua: When it comes to Atletico everyone is talking about their great quality in defense. Some regard them as having the best defense in Europe.

Alonso: It's always difficult to see differences between teams at this top level. But of course it is a special thing about them. But at the same time you know you don't reach a semi-final just because you're defending well. We have to watch their strikers as well.

Xinhua: Saying that, you're talking about a man like Fernando Torres?

Alonso: Not only him but there are several strikers at Atletico that are experienced and a threat for opponents. But Fernando, who is a close friend of mine, is a very special guy. He is an idol and is feeling happy at Atletico. You can see that when you watch him play, he is extremely fast.

Xinhua: We talked about the special atmosphere at Calderon. There, it's not only the crowd that creates the special atmosphere but Atletico coach Diego Simeone too, he seems to transport a special passion.

Alonso: No doubt, he stands for a special kind of passion in football. You can see it in every situation. A character like him can affect not only his team and Atletico's fans, but opponents too. Therefore we have to be prepared and keep a cool head. I can tell you we are not afraid, but prepared.

Xinhua: What does it mean for Atletico and Bayern that they can still win all three titles?

Alonso: They will be highly motivated and it means the season's finish will be a very intensive one for both of us.

Xinhua: What will be left after Pep Guardiola goes this summer?

Alonso: A lot, just look at the many little things we have learned and experienced. There are so many special things he will leave behind. He has created something special in his three years at Bayern Munich. I can say we all have developed and I have too.

Xinhua: This means Pep Guardiola's legacy will influence Bayern Munich for years to come?

Alonso: Pep Guardiola is a very special coach. Pep is ahead of his time. Controlling the game and ball is vital. He is right to play that way, it's the best way to win football matches. Guardiola has shaped a special philosophy at Bayern. He has created a basis for the future and it's one that will help the club to be successful in the long run. It's important to have a squad that's ready and prepared for future challenges at the top level and to play accordingly. Bayern is ready, and Pep Guardiola has done a lot to ensure they are.

Xinhua: In football, at least when it comes to young fans, strikers are the heroes. What about your job in the team.

Alonso: The most important part is, the team comes first, no matter who scores the goals. I'm somehow the link between the defense and the offense. I try to be the one who creates situations where my teammates can show their abilities which makes it easier to find solutions. I try to help the team produce our best possible football. It's about little decisions such as the game's speed. I like that despite younger fans adoring strikers (laughing).

Xinhua: Mr. Martinez, as Atletico is regarded as a particularly physical team, will the match be one of mind games?

Martinez: Being aggressive is a part of their game. But you have to consider that being aggressive alone does not get you into the Champions League semi-final. It takes much more. Atletico is far more than just an aggressive team. But we are also a physical team when it's needed. So we are prepared.

Xinhua: Could you tell us something about Bayern's style in detail. What are the key words?

Martinez: We defend having the ball. That might sound weird at first glance. But that is the key to success. Make it difficult for the opponent to capture the ball, meaning, if they don't have the ball, they can't score. In addition, we have developed our tactical system with fast strikers down the flanks. You could say we've developed some kind of special strength.

Xinhua: We know you still have to reach the final on May 28 in Milan, but we like to ask this question right now. You know how to win a treble?

Martinez: (Laughing) It's something we all want to achieve. And we have several players who know something about winning a treble. Our captain Philipp Lahm for instance is someone who knows. He is someone who has won everything and he's still hungry for more.

Xinhua: Every Bayern player these days has to talk about Pep Guardiola's farewell at the end of the season. What in your mind will stay when he's gone?

Martinez: We as a team are much more complete in everything we do, meaning tactically and mentally. Pep Guardiola is a very special coach. Every one of us, no matter whether we win a title or not, has improved.

Xinhua: Your team mate Arturo Vidal at present seems to be one of the key players, a match-winner. Do you agree?

Martinez: His contribution is vital for the team's success. At the moment, you could say he's the most important player, he's got all the skills, at least that's my impression, and never gets tired. He's a fighter through and through.

Xinhua: But lately, he gave the impression, he sometimes crosses a border in his physicality. In the league game against VfB Stuttgart, he had to be replaced in as early as the 26th minute as he was on the verge of being sent off. His temperament seems to need some control.

Martinez: As I said, he's very important to our game. But we know, sometimes, he needs support to get onto the right track. Pep Guardiola knows exactly how to deal with a special player like Arturo Vidal.

Xinhua: Let us talk about the attacking qualities of Atletico when it comes to strikers like Antoine Griezmann and Fernando Torres.

Martinez: Getting to grips with Griezmann will be one of our main tasks. He has been one of the best strikers in Europe for a long time. I remember him when he was playing for Real Sociedad from 2009 to 2014. He is special and highly dangerous. And we don't have to talk about Fernando Torres. Everybody knows he's a top striker with a huge amount of experience.

Xinhua: How about you? You're back after a longer injury break.

Martinez: I'm hoping for good final few weeks of the season. It takes a while to get back into rhythm, but I now feel I'm doing just that. It's important to have everyone available, including Jerome Boateng, to be successful and win as many titles as possible.

Xinhua: Mr. Bernat, what do you expect from Atletico?

Bernat: Everyone is talking about their defensive abilities, I think their main weapon is their team spirit. And that is a weapon. Nobody has predicted that they would beat Barcelona but they did. It was a victory achieved through their team spirit.

Xinhua: Atletico's coach Diego Simeone is a coach full of passion working with all tricks you can think of.

Bernat: Atletico and Diego Simeone will try to take the game out of our hands. That will be a point we have to watch closely. Diego Simeone is a fighter and we will have to avoid being provoked by Atletico.

Xinhua: Atletico has an impressive team as you said. What will be the key task for Bayern Munich if they are to win?

Bernat: It's going to be a tough job, we know that. It will be important to get through their defense down the flanks and to win as many man-on-man situations as possible. Endit