Guardiola to embrace party tradition on final day
Munich - Pep Guardiola wants champions FC Bayern München to sign off on a winning note against VfB Stuttgart before getting the title festivities under way at the Allianz Arena on Saturday afternoon (kick-off 13:30 GMT/ 15:30 CEST).
'Really proud'
The decorated Catalan tactician has had his hands on countless trophies down the years, but he's so far evaded the prerequisite Bierdusche that goes hand in hand with lifting German football's iconic Meisterschale.
"I know all about what a great tradition beer showers are here," Guardiola explained. "I like tradition, I'm really looking forward to it. For most people, it's one more title, but for me it's my first major title here at Bayern. It's also the most important. It's been a long, hard slog and I'm really proud of everyone at the club - not just the players."
Since opening his Bundesliga account with victory over Borussia Mönchengladbach on Matchday 1, Guardiola has presided over a further 27 wins in 33 top-flight outings, with Bayern wrapping up the title in record time courtesy of their Matchday 27 victory over Hertha Berlin. Suffice to say a 28th success on his debut-season scoreboard would be the perfect warm-up for next week's DFB Cup showdown with Borussia Dortmund.
Badstuber in contention
"We want to end the season just as it began - with a win, which is exactly what German champions should do," affirmed FCB chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge. "We're going to celebrate together and enjoy the moment. It's been an exceptional campaign."
Guardiola will be without Franck Ribery (back) and Jerome Boateng (suspended) for the visit of 15th-placed Stuttgart, but could hand long-term absentee Holger Badstuber a place in his matchday squad following almost 18 months on the sidelines. "I'm really happy for him," Guardiola said of the 25-year-old. "He could make the bench, but I won't take any risks."
Possible line-ups:
Bayern: Neuer - Rafinha, Javi Martinez, Dante, Alaba - Lahm, Schweinsteiger - Robben, T. Kroos, M. Götze - T. Müller
Stuttgart: Ulreich - G. Sakai, Rüdiger, Niedermeier, Rausch - Gruezo, Gentner - Traore, Didavi, Ti. Werner - Cacau
Click here to find your local broadcaster for this match.
Remind yourselves how Bayern got on last weekend courtesy of the official Bundesliga YouTube channel:
