'Wayne will play'

Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola yesterday described Wayne Rooney as one of the best players he had ever seen, and wagered a glass of beer with an English journalist that the Man United star would be fit to play in their Champions League quarterfinal second leg clash tonight.

Asked if he felt Rooney's injured toe would keep him out of the second leg at the Allianz Arena and what effect his absence might have on a tie currently locked at 1-1, Guardiola could not help but smile.

"He is going to play. 100%. He is going to play. I bet you a big, big glass of beer. I believe he is going to play, and [Antonio] Valencia too.

"He is a big player, one of the best players I've ever seen in my career. I'm sure he's going to play."

Rooney trained with his teammates yesterday, showing he looks to have recovered from his injury.

Guardiola conceded that the pressure is really on him and his team to deliver after a recent flat spell, which has seen the all-conquering German champions fail to win any of their last three games.

If he did not emulate Jupp Heynckes's "treble" of Bundesliga, German Cup and Champions League of last year, people would believe he had failed, he said.

He said Bayern would have to play better than at Old Trafford where they dominated possession but fell behind to a Nemanja Vidic header from a corner, but he is sure that they will come through and qualify for the semifinals.

"We've done what we had to do and won the Bundesliga but if we don't get to the Champions League semifinal, it's a huge mistake.

"I know if we don't get to the final, the club can't deal with that. But I knew right from the start when I came here that I've got to be in the situation where I have to get that treble. If I don't, that's not so good. But I'm sure my players will give the best performance they can.

"We couldn't win in Manchester when maybe the people were expecting us to, but I'm sure we will get to the semifinal."

He expects no difference in approach from the first leg, when United sat back and soaked up the pressure and is wary that English clubs using that approach have done so well in Munich in recent years.

UEFA Fixtures

Tonight

Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona (8.45pm)

Bayern Munich vs Man United (8.45pm)