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The Spaniard is hoping his side take their Bundesliga game with Hoffenheim seriously, despite their upcoming Champions League quarter-final
Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola says he has put all thoughts of his side's Champions League quarter-final clash with Manchester United to the back of his mind.
The Bavarians wrapped up the Bundesliga title with victory over Hertha Berlin on Tuesday and face Hoffenheim on Saturday before their trip to Old Trafford three days later.
However, the Spaniard is insistent that his players must focus on their latest league clash and wants them to perfect their game against Markus Gisdol's men.
"We want to keep going. I don't think it's necessary to say that to the players," he told a press conference.
"We need to play as much as possible to prepare for the quarter-final in Manchester. I don't want the players to think about the Champions League.
"In every game we can improve the small details."
Meanwhile, Guardiola confirmed that back-up keeper Tom Starke would line up against his former club after impressing in training.
"He deserves it. He continues to train well, is a super guy and always supports the team."
Bayern and Hoffenheim kick off at 15:30CET on Saturday.
Blanc: PSG will need to be far more effective against Chelsea
Mar 28, 2014 10:47:00 PM
The former France international has acknowledged that his players' concentration on domestic matters has been affected by their Champions League clash with the Blues
Laurent Blanc freely admits that Paris-Saint Germain were nowhere near their best in Friday's win at Nice and that a drastic improvement will be required against Chelsea next week.
The reigning French champions stretched their lead at the top of Ligue 1 to 13 points with a 1-0 victory at the Allianz Riviera but they needed an own goal from Timothee Kolodziejczak to decide a dour affair in their favour.
Blanc was the first to acknowledge that PSG had underperformed but argued that there were mitigating circumstances, principally his players' preoccupation with the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie with Chelsea at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday night.
"Honestly, this match will not remain in the annals of PSG's history," he told beIN Sport. "But the important thing is that we got the job done.
"It was not very good but I think it's still the ninth time we play a league game before the Champions League and, if my stats are correct, this is the ninth victory - and all without conceding goals.
"Great players know that the game before a big one is difficult to manage because subconsciously you think all the time about the big one.
"But we will need to be more effective against Chelsea. We will need to be very, very, very effective."
Bayern Munich do have weaknesses, ones that Manchester United manager David Moyes says his side will target on Tuesday.
United host Bayern in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final on Tuesday, but know they are in for a tough task.
The Bavarian giants have not lost in the league this season, culminating in their 24th German title, sealed in Berlin on Tuesday.
The defending European champions last lost a game in December – but according to Moyes, who is well aware of Bayern's quality - they do have weak areas.
Moyes told United's official website: "When we drew them, I felt we'd drawn probably the best team in Europe at this present time.
"I think most people would agree with that…Munich are a little bit of a class above the other teams, including Borussia Dortmund.
"We have got a really tough game and know exactly what we are going to get but we'll try to exploit little bits of weaknesses they have got."
Bayern have only got stronger under new coach Pep Guardiola this season, with the team's style of play evolving significantly.
Guardiola's men, who enjoy large spells of possession and control, had more than 1,000 passes in the 3-1 win at Hertha Berlin that sealed their latest Bundesliga title.
Moyes feels that the Spaniard has benefited greatly from an extended break before taking the Bayern job.
"Pep has taken over a really good team and added a bit himself with his own style. They have already won the Bundesliga quite comfortably so the focus is on the Champions League now," he added.
"It's been different (for Guardiola). I am sure he had done a lot of homework and had a year's preparation before taking the job in Munich.
"He learnt German, watched the games and learned a lot about the players."
The BVB forward insists that his side are fully prepared for their Champions League quarter-final with the La Liga outfit after dispatching Stuttgart on Saturday
Marco Reus has warned Real Madrid that Borussia Dortmund are ready for their Champions League encounter at Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday.
Die Schwarzgelben warmed up for their trip to Spain with a 3-2 win over relegation-threatened Stuttgart, fighting back with a Reus hat-trick after being two goals down following early Christian Gentner and Martin Harnik strikes for the hosts.
The Germany attacker believes that his performance on Saturday shows he is himself coming back into form after injury problems earlier in March but also stressed that his side will face Madrid with confidence.
"Goals are always good for self-confidence, and we are ready for Real," the 24-year-old was quoted by Bild after the game.
"I've also been injured several times. For me it's not just about goals - it's more important that I find my rhythm. And it keeps improving."
The Borussians reasserted themselves in second place in the Bundesliga after victory over Stuttgart, with Huub Stevens' men facing a very real danger of relegation as they sit 17th in the table following the result.
BVB now turn their attention to los Blancos in the Champions League quarter-finals, a repeat of last season's semi-final, which saw the Germans resist a fightback to take a 4-3 aggregate win and proceed to the final at Wembley.
Dortmund travel to face Madrid on Wednesday with the return leg at the Signal Iduna Park on Tuesday April 8.
UEFA Champions League Preview: Barcelona v Atletico Madrid
30 March 2014
Barcelona and Atletico Madrid will put their Liga title chase to one side when they meet in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday.
The sides currently occupy the top two spots in the Spanish top flight - Atleti are one point clear of second-placed Barca - and clash this week in the first leg of their quarter-final tie at Camp Nou.
There has been no previous meeting between the clubs in continental football, but their three domestic fixtures this season point to this being a hotly contested encounter.
Barca edged the Supercopa de Espana on away goals after both legs ended all square in August, while the Liga meeting in January ended goalless.
Despite their proximity in La Liga, Barca head into the last-eight tie with far greater experience of Europe's premier club competition.
Barca will be looking to extend their record of having contested the semi-finals in the last six seasons, while Atleti are in the quarter-finals for the first time since 1997 and have not reached the last four for 40 years.
Current Atleti coach Diego Simeone was in the side that lost 4-3 on aggregate to Ajax in the quarter-finals 17 years ago.
The men from the Spanish capital have not won at Camp Nou since a 3-1 league victory in 2006, when Fernando Torres - now of fellow quarter-finalists Chelsea - netted a brace.
That said, Barcelona do not have the best of records against Spanish opponents over two legs in continental competition, losing five of their nine ties, but have lost just one of their last 26 European home ties.
Barcelona knocked out Manchester City to reach this stage, while Atleti disposed of Milan.
On an individual level, Lionel Messi is four goals short of Raul's Champions League goalscoring record of 71 and is bang in form, finding the net nine times in his last five appearances in all competitions.
Atleti have taken many by surprise with their sensational form this season, with Simeone keen to maintain the feel-good factor at the club.
"We are enjoying the situation day by day, minute by minute, training session by training session and game by game," he said after Saturday's 2-1 win at Athletic Bilbao.
"That is how we feel strong and we will continue like that because we don't want to get away from that line of thinking."
The hosts will be without goalkeeper Victor Valdes, who is likely to have played his last match for Barcelona after being ruled out for the season with a knee injury.
Javier Manquillo (neck) remains sidelined for Atleti, while Raul Garcia is ruled out through suspension.
UEFA Champions League Preview: Manchester United v Bayern Munich
30 March 2014
Manchester United face the mammoth task of taking on reigning champions Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League quarter-final on Tuesday.
The two sides, champions in their domestic leagues last season, have experienced drastically contrasting fortunes this time around, with many tipping the German giants to be far too strong for their faltering opponents over two legs.
Bayern come into Tuesday's first leg at Old Trafford on the back of a 3-3 draw against Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga on Saturday, only the third time this season that Pep Guardiola's men have dropped points in the league.
Having already clinched the Bundesliga with a 2-1 win at Hertha Berlin last Tuesday, Guardiola rested several key players on Saturday as Bayern shift their focus to defending their continental crown.
A host of first-team regulars started on the bench, including the likes of Thomas Muller, Phillip Lahm and Arjen Robben, although Lahm was introduced after 25 minutes when Thiago Alcantara had to be withdrawn after suffering a knee ligament tear which will keep the Spaniard out for six to eight weeks.
On the other hand, United have followed romping to the Premier League title by 11 points last term with a season of struggle under new manager David Moyes as they enter a new era following Alex Ferguson's retirement.
Ferguson famously oversaw United's incredible comeback in the 1999 Champions League final, when stoppage-time strikes from Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer broke Bayern hearts, and the competition has been a rare source of comfort for Moyes in an otherwise disappointing campaign.
Sitting 10 points adrift of the Premier League's top four with only six games remaining, United's best chance of securing a place at Europe's top table next season looks to be by winning the title, although they will start this tie as underdogs.
They produced a stirring comeback in the round of 16, losing 2-0 to Olympiacos in Greece before Robin van Persie's hat-trick turned the tie around at Old Trafford.
However, the Dutchman will miss out against Bayern due to a knee injury suffered in that win, with Moyes also facing a shortage at right back in Chris Smalling (hamstring), Rafael da Silva (knock) and Antonio Valencia's (knee) collective absence.
Both sides will be forced to manage without first-choice selections in the backline, with United's Patrice Evra and Bayern's Dante serving one-match suspensions.
Moyes' men have won all of their home games in this year's competition, but that record will be severely tested against a Munich side that has not lost away from home in the Champions League since October 2012.
Bayern overcame English opposition in the last round, beating Arsenal 3-1 on aggregate and also knocked United out on their way to the 2010 final at the same stage they meet this year.
Chelsea's manager Jose Mourinho is seen ahead of their English Premier League soccer match against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park in London March 29, 2014. REUTERS/Andrew Winning
(Reuters) - Chelsea will give a better account of themselves in the Champions League in Paris on Wednesday than they did in an unexpected weekend defeat at Crystal Palace, manager Jose Mourinho said on Sunday.
Mourinho was furious at the lack of "spirit and mentality" that too many of his highly paid players had shown in the 1-0 defeat by lowly Palace in the Premier League on Saturday.
He praised his defenders for regularly giving everything but without naming names told reporters that too many of the other players often did not perform in testing away games against less fashionable sides.
The only consolation, he said, was that the whole squad should be sufficiently motivated by a glamorous Champions League night in Paris facing PSG in the quarter-final first leg.
"Paris is the kind of match they feel comfortable to play," he said. "Big match, great stadium, opponents with top quality, they will be fine. They will be in their natural habitat in that match. They can do a good match there."
Mourinho is attempting to become the first manager to win three European Cups with different clubs after his successes with Porto in 2004 and Inter Milan six years later.
He said Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o was unlikely to be fit for Wednesday's match and England full back Ashley Cole was definitely out.
Atletico Madrid's coach Diego Simeone controls the ball during a training session at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid March 10, 2014. REUTERS-Andrea Comas
(Reuters) - Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino and his Atletico Madrid counterpart Diego Simeone clashed as rival players in their native Argentina and there will be no quarter given when they meet in the last eight of the Champions League on Tuesday.
A callow Simeone was not yet 18 when he faced Martino, nearly 10 years his senior, in a league match between Velez Sarsfield and Newell's Old Boys in January 1988, when Martino was sent off for a challenge on fellow midfielder Simeone, who was himself dismissed 10 minutes later.
No stranger to controversy during his playing career -- Simeone was involved in the sending off of England midfielder David Beckham at the 1998 World Cup -- he admitted last year he had indulged in a spot of play-acting to try to provoke a red card for Martino.
"There was an incident in the middle of the pitch," Simeone recalled in an interview with Argentine television.
"He reacted to something, I exaggerated a bit and they ended up sending him off," added the 43-year-old, said to play "with a knife between his teeth".
"They sent me off about 10 minutes later, the referee compensated a little for his earlier decision."
Almost three decades later and the older and wiser Martino and Simeone are in charge of two Spanish teams with a genuine chance of achieving a rare double of Champions League and La Liga titles.
Atletico are a point clear of Barca at the top of Spain's domestic league with seven games left and their final match of the campaign is another trip to Barca's daunting Nou Camp arena in May.
They have already played each other three times this term, with very little to choose between the sides.
Barca pipped Atletico to the season-opening Spanish Super Cup when Neymar's goal in a 1-1 first-leg draw in Madrid was enough for Barca after the second leg ended 0-0. Their La Liga game at the Calderon in January also finished goalless.
Barca warmed up for Tuesday's last eight, first leg with a laboured 1-0 win at city rivals Espanyol on Saturday thanks to a Lionel Messi penalty, while Diego Costa and Koke scored for Atletico in a 2-1 comeback win at Athletic Bilbao.
Simeone's men will need to demonstrate the same intensity they showed at the San Mames if they are to get the better of a Barca side buoyed by this month's 4-3 win at Real Madrid in the La Liga 'Clasico'.
Messi, whose season was disrupted by a two-month injury layoff either side of the New Year, appears to be coming into top form at exactly the right time, while playmaker Andres Iniesta is also looking close to his scintillating best.
Messi, the four-times World Player of the Year who comes from Martino's home town of Rosario, has scored 20 goals in 19 matches against Atletico, including three hat-tricks.
WINNING MENTALITY
Barca playmaker Xavi said he would have preferred not to meet another Spanish team in Europe and praised Simeone for the way he has transformed Atletico since taking over at the end of 2011.
"Atletico Madrid know us very well," Xavi said in an interview published on Atletico's website (www.clubatleticodemadrid.com) on Sunday.
"Simeone has instilled an extraordinary winning mentality in the team and they have absolute faith in what they are doing," added the Spain international.
"It will be a very close tie, with few scoring chances due to the way Atletico play.
"It is never fun playing them. They don't allow you any space, they cover our creative areas very well.
"They don't leave room down the wings, they deploy people very effectively in the middle of the pitch and they are good on the counter attack."
The goals of Atletico's Brazil-born forward Costa have underpinned the team's success this season and he notched his 25th of the La Liga campaign at Bilbao, three behind top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid and two ahead of Messi.
Costa will be up against a host of new team mates from his adopted country Spain on Tuesday, including defenders Gerard Pique and Jordi Alba and midfielders Xavi, Sergio Busquets and Iniesta.
"Costa is a lad who is improving day by day, he has enormous physical strength," Simeone told a news conference.
"The way the team plays is a consequence of what he can give us and he feels comfortable in the side."
The winner of the tie following next week's second leg in Madrid will go into the draw for the semi-finals on April 11.
In the other three quarter-finals, Real Madrid play Borussia Dortmund, Paris St Germain take on Chelsea and holders Bayern Munich face Manchester United.
Faltering United face ultimate challenge in Bayern
Mon Mar 31, 2014 3:19am BST
Manchester United's manager David Moyes reacts after their English Premier League soccer match against Aston Villa at Old Trafford in Manchester, northern England March 29, 2014. REUTERS/Phil Noble
(Reuters) - Manchester United, comprehensively outplayed by local rivals Liverpool and Manchester City at Old Trafford recently, face an even tougher challenge when holders Bayern Munich come calling in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Languishing seventh in the Premier League after a dismal first season under manager David Moyes, United are huge underdogs to get through the two-legged quarter-final against the Bundesliga champions.
Moyes will take little comfort from results at the weekend when Bayern's 19-match league winning streak ended in a 3-3 home draw with Hoffenheim after surrendering a 3-1 lead while United thrashed Aston Villa 4-1 in the Premier League.
United are a far cry from the team who commanded unreserved respect around Europe during Alex Ferguson's heyday but their home form in the Champions League this season has been good, in marked contrast to their woeful Premier League record at Old Trafford.
The English champions have won their first four home matches in the competition, something they last did in the 2007-08 campaign when they made it six out of six and went on to lift the trophy for the third time in Moscow.
But Bayern, managed by Pep Guardiola who outfoxed United in the 2009 and 2011 finals as Barcelona coach, have won their last seven Champions League away games. They also beat United on the away goals rule when the teams met at the same stage in 2010.
"We cannot allow Manchester United's current position in the Premier League to affect our mindset for this game," Bayern captain Philipp Lahm told uefa.com.
"We will travel to Manchester in order to play attacking football and score goals. I don't think it matters if you play the away leg first. Last year we played at home first a lot of the time and still managed to win the trophy.
"The most important thing for us will be to score goals in the away leg," added Lahm, whose side overcame Arsenal on the basis of their away results in the last-16 this season and last.
Moyes can take heart from his team's recovery in their last-16 tie against Olympiakos Piraeus when they won 3-0 at Old Trafford thanks to a Robin van Persie hat-trick after losing the away leg 2-0.
Van Persie will miss both games against Bayern through injury but Wayne Rooney is enjoying a prolific run, the England striker's two goals against Villa taking his tally to five this month and 15 in the league this season.
Moyes does not see playing the first leg at home as a disadvantage.
"The way the game's going now with counter-attacking football and a different approach by teams away from home (means it is not so important)," he said.
The tie brings together two teams who have lifted the European Cup eight times between them and they met in the 1999 final in Barcelona when United snatched an extraordinary 2-1 victory from the jaws of defeat with two stoppage-time goals.
The defeat rankled with Bayern for years but they have beaten United every time they have met since and it would be a huge surprise if the German team fail to make the semi-finals.
The 28-year-old singled out Lionel Messi as a player his side have to keep an eye on but is confident they have shown the continent they can deal with the best teams
Atletico Madrid defender Diego Godin says Barcelona are favourites for their upcoming Champions League quarter-final tie.
The two sides meet at Camp Nou for the first leg on Tuesday, with both enjoying an impressive run of form that sees them separated by just a point at the top of La Liga.
Although it is Atletico who are in pole position domestically, Godin feels the Blaugrana are the favourites for the Champions League clash - but is sure his side can put up a good fight against the reigning Spanish champions.
"We have never felt less than anyone," he told Marca. "We know what our strengths are and what we need to do in order to win matches.
"Clearly, if you look at this tie, the clear favourite is Barcelona, but we know what our weapons are and that we can do a lot of damage.
"We are very sure what is the best way to go about winning big games against these teams. If you've seen Atletico over the last two and a half years, not much has changed in the way we play and each time the peformance is better individually and as a team, which is the key to success for this team."
The 28-year-old feels Gerardo Martino's side have been underestimated lately and also praised their star player Lionel Messi, but stressed that a collective effort from the Rojiblancos can stop him.
"Recently people said there was a lot of uncertainty in Barcelona, but they are in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, the Copa del Rey final and are fighting for the league, so you can't say things are going wrong," he added.
"Now it is a great time, they have a lot of confidence after winning the derby and have great quality individually and as a team and they have been playing together for many years and doing well.
"What can we say about Messi? The numbers speak for themselves, Messi has found his best form again and that also goes along with Barcelona playing well again. Messi is one of the best in the world.
"The best way to stop him is standing well together. He is very good and is able to make a difference, but we are very strong."
Guardiola: Bayern Munich must improve to beat Manchester United
By Mark Doyle
Mar 29, 2014 6:32:00 PM
The Spaniard was not a happy man after watching his side blow the opportunity to rack up a 20th consecutive victory in the Bundesliga ahead of their midweek trip to Old Trafford
Pep Guardiola was less than impressed with Bayern Munich's showing against Hoffenheim on Saturday, arguing that a massive improvement will be required for Tuesday's Champions League clash with Manchester United.
The Bavarians had appeared to be cruising towards a 20th consecutive win in the Bundesliga after responding to Anthony Modeste's opener with a Claudio Pizarro double and a Xherdan Shaqiri strike.
However, Hoffenheim pulled one back just before the break through Sejad Salihovic and then claimed their first ever point away to Bayern courtesy of Roberto Firmino's 75th-minute equaliser.
"Compliments to Hoffenheim," Guardiola told his club's official website after the dramatic 3-3 draw. "They showed a good ability to press.
"In the first half we found good solutions. In the second half, though, we were not good.
"We need to control the ball. If this is not the case, then we have a problem.
"We need to analyse this game and then quickly focus on Tuesday. We need to improve."
The first leg of Bayern's Champions League quarter-final clash with United will take place at Old Traffor
'Bring on Bayern' - Moyes ready for Munich challenge
By Stephen Darwin
Mar 29, 2014 3:59:00 PM
The Red Devils have had endured a difficult domestic campaign but their Scottish boss is excited by the prospect of trying to upset Pep Guardiola's men
David Moyes insists his Manchester United side are ready for the challenge of Bayern Munich in the Champions League following Saturday's 4-1 win over Aston Villa.
The Red Devils claimed their first win in the league at home since January as goals from Juan Mata, Chicharito and two from Wayne Rooney ensured the hosts would come from behind to defeat Paul Lambert's side at Old Trafford.
Moyes, who had earlier witnessed a plane fly over Old Trafford carrying a banner with the words 'Wrong One - Moyes Out', is now relishing Tuesday's meeting with Champions League favourites Bayern. He told BT Sport: "I'm really looking forward to it. The Champions League quarter-finals.
"At the start if you said we'd get to the quarters then great but we want to be in the semi-final and then the final.
"But we've got a big tough game against probably the best side around. But bring the challenge on and coming to old Trafford is not easy for any side.
"I've been saying all the time I've been here the crowd have been great. We didn't start well but the crowd were great. Every fan I bump into they tell me they know exactly what it's like at Man United.
"The fourth goal is the type I've been looking to score. Adnan [Januzaj] weaving away and it was a great cross. You want to be excited by the football you see and the fourth goal excited me."
On Rooney, Moyes added: "He's a top player and he's been great since the start of the season.
"I said after the game if you keep scoring two goals a game then it's going to give us a great chance of doing much better. His form and the way he's playing has been great."
Moyes also hailed Mata's performance after the playmaker scored his first goal for the club since becoming the club's record signing after joining from Chelsea in January.
He continued: "Everyone knows what he's capable of but he needed a goal because it's a big part of his game and it's a reason we signed him because he scores goals.
"He's been instrumental in a lot of our good play and I think he's played really well in recent weeks.
"I took over from Sir Alex a great team who were champions. But we need to add to it.
"All the players I seem to talk to are really keen to join Manchester United let's hope it comes to fruition in the summer time."
Diego Costa is set to miss Atletico Madrid's UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg at Barcelona after leaving training early on Monday.
Atletico coach Diego Simeone conceded it will be 'difficult' for Costa to play on Tuesday after the Brazilian-born striker completed just 10 minutes of training.
Costa has scored 32 goals in all competitions for Atletico this season, including six in the club's past five matches, but Simeone does not expect the 25-year-old to take part at the Camp Nou.
"The doctors will assess his fitness but I can't see him playing," Simeone was quoted as saying by Marca.
Simeone added on Spanish television channel TVE: "Having seen him at training I think it is going to be difficult for him to make it, but we will wait as there's still a long while to go yet."
The Argentine coach said that Costa is as important to Atleti as Lionel Messi is to Barcelona, underlining the significance of an injury to the Spain international.
"Without doubt. Cristiano (Ronaldo), Messi and Costa, all of their own style, but are all equally important," Simeone said.
"Two in-form players now face off and I think that Diego is growing day by day, and Messi is demonstrating what good those two months off did him, and will go into the World Cup in top form."
Atleti will enter Tuesday's quarter-final first leg one point ahead of Barcelona in La Liga and having drawn with the Catalans in all three of their previous meetings this season.
But Simeone expects an even tougher challenge in the Champions League.
"This will be the most difficult (match) of the lot," the 43-year-old said.
"In the first game we played as the home side and in the third Messi was recovering from injury, and now we have the best Barca."
'If Barca win it's referees, if we lose the cycle's over' - Alves mocks criticism
By Miles Chambers
Mar 31, 2014 1:30:00 PM
The defender hit out at the anti-Blaugrana slant on officiating lately and claimed he would sign Diego Costa if he could bring on board any Atletico star
Dani Alves has mocked how Barcelona are stuck in a lose-lose spiral at the moment, in his opinion, claiming when they win the referees are blamed and when they lose it is perceived as the end of their cycle of dominance.
The Catalans stumbled somewhat last month, sparking suggestions that their Liga season was over, before recovering with a win at Real Madrid and in the local derby with Espanyol.
However, both of those victories were sullied somewhat by criticism of refereeing decisions after the match and the Brazilian full-back suggested there was simply no way of winning outright for Gerardo Martino's men at the moment.
"Referee accusations are a motivation," he told reporters on Monday. "It is customary for our wins to be dressed up like this. It seems that part of our life.
"If we win it is because of referees and if we lose it is because the cycle is over. We are above this and it does not affect us. Arguing is what they want.
"After the Clasico, the press were discussing our penalties while they kept quiet about Madrid's penalty, the only one that wasn't one."
Atletico Madrid travel to Camp Nou on Tuesday for the first leg of their Champions League last-eight tussle with the Catalans, with the return leg next week at the Vicente Calderon.
Dani Alves suggested that, if he had the choice of any Rojiblancos star to sign, he would pick star striker Diego Costa, but he insisted that Diego Simeone's men are more than just the newly converted Spain international.
"If I could choose any of them, then Diego Costa, because of his goals and his work," the defender added. "The game goes beyond him though. He's a great player and will make a difference, but Atletico are more than him.
"We can not look back at past three draws with Atletico. It's another game, another competition, another time. We need to step up here, because the tie will be decided in the second game.
"We have to compete well to break the streak against Atletico."
Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino will welcome Atletico Madrid taking a cautious approach in Tuesday's UEFA Champions League tie at Camp Nou.
The Spanish rivals will put their battle for the Liga title on hold when they meet in the first leg of their quarter-final at Camp Nou on Tuesday.
Both sides come into the eagerly-awaited tie in fine form, with La Liga leaders Atletico winning their last six games in all competitions and Barca coming out on top in their last five matches.
There was nothing to choose between the teams in the previous three meetings this season, as they played out a goalless draw in the league and also drew both of their Supercopa de Espana encounters in August - with Barca winning on away goals.
Martino expects fellow Argentinian Diego Simeone to set his Atleti side up to frustrate Barca, but he has hopes those tactics could backfire.
"I always like that opponents wait for us, as it means they will attack us a little less," he said.
The Barca coach, however, warned his side not to fall into the trap of getting caught on the break.
He said: "It's over 180 minutes and we can't take too many risks in one leg as there's another one to come.
"We've not scored many goals against Atletico, but we need to play the way that we want to play and be organised.
"It is important not to concede, but the most important thing is to win first leg as that pushes the responsibility onto the opponent.
"The secret of all games played against Atletico is the intensity has been key and our main weapon is the way we play the game.
"I don't think it's going to be an open game, I think that's unlikely but I do think that when they play away from home, they want to score an early goal.
"If a goal scored in the first 15-20 minutes it could be more of an open game, but both teams know there is a chance of coming back in second leg."
Barca and Atleti will meet in the second leg in Madrid next Wednesday and also lock horns in what could be a title decider at Camp Nou on the final day of the Liga season.
Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone refused to label his team favourites ahead of Tuesday's UEFA Champions League clash with Barcelona.
Simeone's men face Barca at Camp Nou in the first leg of the quarter-finals in a meeting between two sides competing in an enthralling La Liga title race.
Atleti lead the way in Spain's top flight, but are just one point ahead of defending champions Barca - who they will play on the final day of the domestic season - with seven matches remaining.
The duo played out a goalless draw in the league back in January, and Simeone is expecting another tight contest as Atleti aim to reach the semi-finals of Europe's premier club competition since their run to the 1974 final.
"Barcelona is in top shape. They are used to these kind of matches," the Argentinian said.
"The match will be very difficult. The two teams meet in a great moment. I expect the best Barcelona, they will want to settle it here, in their home stadium and not wait for the return leg.
"If we say we are favourites, they will say that we are arrogant. If not, they will say that we are underdogs.
"What is certain is that we are going to compete and that it will be a beautiful tie."
Striker Diego Costa could well be crucial to Atleti's fortunes in the tie having scored 33 goals in all competitions for the Spanish capital club.
And Simeone believes that Costa is as important for Atleti as superstars Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are for Barcelona and Real Madrid.
He added: "Diego Costa for us, Messi for Barca and Cristiano for Madrid, each in their own way with their style, are highly momentous for the teams."
Bayern favourites but United aren't underdogs, says Giggs
Mon Mar 31, 2014 4:25pm BST
Manchester United's Ryan Giggs attends a news conference at Old Trafford in Manchester, northern England March 31, 2014. REUTERS-Stefan Wermuth
(Reuters) - Holders Bayern Munich are the favourites but Manchester United do not consider themselves to be underdogs for the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final at Old Trafford on Tuesday, according to Ryan Giggs.
The clash of two of Europe's biggest clubs will forever revive memories of their epic 1999 Champions League final in Barcelona when United scored twice in stoppage time to beat the German side 2-1.
Bayern won on their last trip to Manchester when they beat City 3-1 in a group match in October and a repeat of that scoreline would almost certainly set up Pep Guardiola's team to reach the last four.
But Giggs, who played in the final 15 years ago, remains confident of a United success against opponents who wrapped up the Bundesliga title last week.
"Obviously Bayern are a fantastic team," said Giggs, who will move to within one of Raul's record total of 142 Champions League appearance if he plays on Tuesday.
Now player-coach at Old Trafford, the 40-year-old Welshman told reporters: "They're the holders and Pep Guardiola's taken over and added a few new players and they're a very strong team.
"They're obviously favourites in most people's eyes but we're Manchester United at Old Trafford and we've seen so many good nights there, in Europe especially.
"So as players we don't see ourselves as underdogs, we see ourselves as Manchester United playing at home in the Champions League.
"We can't wait. These are the games that you want to be involved in as a player. We'll go out there and, yes it's going to be tough, but we're confident."
DIFFICULT SEASON
Although they have endured a difficult first season under David Moyes and are seventh in the Premier League, United have won all four home matches in the Champions League.
Guardiola, however, steered Barcelona to two Champions League final victories over United in 2009 and 2011 and while he has vast experience of this competition, Moyes is taking charge of a team at the quarter-final stage for the first time.
Moyes echoed Giggs's optimism, although experienced left back Patrice Evra is suspended and will miss the chance to renew his rivalry with Bayern's Arjen Robben.
"We know that on our day we're as good a side as any but we have to show it more often," Moyes said.
"I've got great belief in the players and I've said that from day one - that hasn't changed.
"I get the feeling the players all want to play, I can tell that from their attitude in training. They all want to play in the big games, that's what the players here have wanted to do over the years."
Moyes will also be without the injured Robin van Persie while full backs Rafael and Alex Buttner are struggling to be fit. Defenders Rio Ferdinand, Chris Smalling and Jonny Evans all trained on Tuesday.
"We have defensive issues, undoubtedly," Moyes added.
"But I won't be giving out my team today, certainly not to Bayern or to you (the media), but we will have to make one or two changes."
United's form has been erratic recently with 3-0 home defeats by Liverpool and Manchester City mixed in with three-goal winning margins over West Bromwich Albion and Aston Villa in the league and Olympiakos Piraeus in the Champions League.
United had their backs to the wall when they faced Olympiakos in the first knockout round two weeks ago going into the match 2-0 down from the first leg but Van Persie's hat-trick sent them through 3-2 on aggregate.
Manchester United can win with their best performance of the season, warns Guardiola
By Peter McVitie
Mar 31, 2014 6:30:00 PM
The 43-year-old sympathised with David Moyes for the position his team are in but believes the Red Devils are still one of the best teams in the world
Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola has stressed his side cannot underestimate Manchester United in Tuesday's Champions League clash.
The English and German champions meet at Old Trafford for the first leg of their quarter-final tie in starkly different circumstances, with United languishing in seventh place in the Premier League while Bayern have romped to the Bundesliga title in record time.
But Guardiola is adamant that Moyes' side are still strong enough to beat the Bavarian giants should they deliver their very best form.
"Manchester United are one of the world's best teams," the Spaniard told reporters in his press conference. "It doesn't matter what situation they're in right now.
"They have good players. These two games could be the best two performances of their season. They can beat us.
"They are one of the world's most important clubs. They have great players, it's an honour to be here."
The 43-year-old insists he has sympathy for Moyes for the pressure he is under in his first season in charge of United.
"I could also be in his situation one day. Football is a fast-moving business these days," he said.
Guardiola went on to stress that the Bundesliga remains the most important competition for Bayern - but admitted he would be "honoured" to beat United en route to defending the Champions League crown.
"The Champions League is not the most important title in the season," he replied. "The local title is the most important. The Champions League is the most prestigious. We will try but we know how difficult it is.
"At a coach, it's important to maintain the success. We won it last season and we look to progress. To do it against Manchester United is a real honour."
Manchester United defender Alexander Buttner has welcomed the challenge of going head-to-head with Arjen Robben.
David Moyes' United are being given little chance of upsetting Bayern Munich in their UEFA Champions League quarter-final, with the first leg at Old Trafford on Tuesday.
With regular left-back Patrice Evra suspended, Buttner is expected to be given the big job of minimising Robben's impact.
The Dutch full-back is excited about the prospect despite facing arguably the world's best player.
"I feel confident about playing them. I know what Arjen Robben can do and I'm ready for him. I've watched him so I know how he plays," Buttner said.
"I've never played against him before and I haven't watched videos or anything like that to study him, but I know enough from what I've seen to know how he plays the game.
"He's very good one against one, especially when he comes inside. I have to focus on that game and be confident in my own quality. I know I can get the better of him.
"It's not under discussion how good he is, we all know that, but this kind of big game is why you play football. It's what it's all about."
Buttner is unlikely to remain at United beyond this season and the 25-year-old is eager to show what he is capable of against Bayern.
"It's a big game on Tuesday, but it's a chance for me to show what I can do," he said.
"It's been vital for me to get the two matches, because it would have been difficult not to play and that to have to face a big game like Bayern.
"I probably still need a bit more, but two games should be OK. After that I hope I can get even more matches."
