The Argentine is aware of the Bundesliga champions’ strength and is relishing the prospect of a potential final against Real Madrid
Lionel Messi has stressed that Barcelona must be on top of their game against Bayern Munich if they are to reach the Champions League final at Wembley.
The Argentine attacker feels Bayern have been in impressive form so far in the 2012-13 campaign and believes they are even better than last year, when they lost the final to Chelsea on penalties.
“Any opponent in these semi-finals was going to be tough, but Bayern this year are very, very good. They have been playing at a very high level and scoring a lot of goals,” Messi told The Times of India.
“After what happened at the end of 2012, when they lost the final at their own ground to Chelsea, I think they have even more desire to go for the title this time. And Bayern are stronger this year than last in my opinion.”
The prolific attacker then went on to discuss a potential final against Real Madrid and admitted that a Clasico at Wembley would be something special.
“Right now, we do not speak of the final but only about Bayern,” he said.
“And if we get to the final we do not care who we play as long as we are there again.
“But it is indisputable that a final at Wembley against Real Madrid would be a special game for many things and many people. If it is Real in the final it will be a great show, that’s for sure.”
It is unsure as of yet whether Messi will be fit enough to start in Tuesday evening’s first leg at the Allianz Arena. The match is scheduled to kick off at 20:45CET.