Robert Lewandowski is confident that he will be fit to play Wednesday’s Champions League semi-first leg at Camp Nou and Bayern coach Pep Guardiola didn’t rule out the possibility when he faced the press on Friday.
When asked about the chances of Lewandowski making the game Guardiola said, “We’ll see [how the situation develops] over the next few days. Here, it’s the doctor who is in charge; if he says there’s a risk, Lewandowski won’t play”.
The Polish centre-forward was forced to retire suffering concussion after colliding with Borussia Dortmund goalkeeper Mitch Langerak in stoppage time of their German Cup semi-final meeting earlier this week.
Guardiola was less hopeful that Javi Martínez and Franck Ribéry might be available against his old club.
Javi Martínez: “He has only recently returned after a long-term injury and now he’s back training. Maybe he’ll get some minutes [against Bayer Leverkusen] tomorrow”.
Ribéry, doubtful against Barcelona: “You always ask me that question. We have to wait and see. I can’t say any more right now”.
Robben’s return, too hasty? “I never field a player who has only recently returned from injury which consulting the medical staff first. Arjen is a very important player for us and he played because physically, he was ok”.
Xabi Alonso: “His experience and quality has really helped us. I’m very happy with how he has adapted to the team”.
Taking the blame for Bayern’s elimination from the Cup: “We congratulate Dortmund. It was a very fiercely-fought game. I thought we were the better team but we lost in the way that all big clubs should. It was the best game so far during my time here. That’s football, you can’t always get to the final but I was very proud of my team”.