BUNDES - Without Messi, Neuer expects less predictable Barça

While Bayern Munich will fly to the Camp Nou today at 9 PM to face FC Barcelona on the first day of the Champions League group stage, Manuel Neuer was present at the traditional pre-match press conference.

The opportunity for the Bavarian doorman to express himself on this Barça “new-look”, without Antoine Griezmann and especially their living legend Lionel Messi. And for the Bayern captain, the task may be even more difficult. 

“Barcelona will never be a weak team, for many in the world it is special to play for this club, to represent them on the European stage. It's the Champions League! We don't expect to face a lesser team. And regardless of whether they lost several important players, we have a lot of respect for Barca and their players. We know what they are capable of.

It is unusual and it will be for many to play Barca without Messi, it will be the case also for the fans who will not see him on the pitch anymore but I would not say that it makes us more serene. They have good players, good attackers. They are less predictable than with Messi on the pitch and it will be more difficult for us. Roles and responsibilities will be more distributed, we will see how it goes. But when you play against Barça, you can't be relaxed! You are just focused.” said Manuel Neuer.