Soccer Friendly: Guardiola's Bayern defeat Barcelona

Jul 25, 2013
Soccer Friendly: Guardiola's Bayern defeat Barcelona
Pep Guardiola guided Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena for the first time after taking the job and the Champions League winners recorded a 2-0 friendly win over his former club Barcelona. Philipp Lahm headed Bayern in front and Mario Mandzukic scored the second goal with three minutes left. "It was a special game for me. I spent my whole life as a player and coach at Barcelona,'' Guardiola said after the match. "I'm happy, I don't have anything to complain about at the moment." Guardiola won 13 trophies in four years before leaving Barcelona last year. He started the game without a main striker, just like he used to do at Barcelona, employing Franck Ribery, Arjen Robben and Thomas Mueller in a three-man forward line. Lahm was deployed in midfield rather than as a full back and he headed the German side in front from a Ribery cross. Substitute striker Mandzukic then wrapped things up from Diego Contento's ball into the box. Assistant manager Jordi Roura took charge of Barcelona as new boss Gerardo Martino had just signed his contract. The Barcelona squad included Lionel Messi but did not feature Xavi, Andres Iniesta or Neymar. Bayern face Borussia Dortmund, the team they overcame in May's Champions League final, in the German Super Cup on Saturday. Guardiola added: "It was a good preparation for Borussia Dortmund. Barcelona are always a good team and they were a good test for us. We had our chances and we have to improve our finishing." Here are the odds at Bet365 for the German Super Cup clash on Saturday: Borussia Dortmund to win - 29/10 Draw - 11/4 Bayern Munich to win - 5/6
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