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Olympiakos showdown is 'a final', says Guardiola

A draw would put both teams in the knock-out phase, but Bayern want the win at the Allianz Arena which guarantees they will win the group. Bayern are looking to build on their 5-1 thumping of Arsenal at home three weeks ago, which avenged their 2-0 loss in London -- their only defeat this season.

AFP

Berlin

Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola insists Tuesday's Champions League clash against Olympiakos is effectively 'a final' for the Germans in the battle to finish top of the group.

Both Olympiakos and Bayern have nine points in Group F, but Guardiola's Bavarians lead the table with an overwhelming goal difference and beat their Greek rivals 3-0 in Piraus.

A draw would put both teams in the knock-out phase, but Bayern want the win at the Allianz Arena which guarantees they will win the group.

Bayern are looking to build on their 5-1 thumping of Arsenal at home three weeks ago, which avenged their 2-0 loss in London -- their only defeat this season.

"This is a final for us. We'll try and do everything we can to win the game and hold first place," said Guardiola.

Left-back David Alaba suffered an ankle knock in Saturday’s 3-1 league win at Schalke and Guardiola is hoping to have the Austria star fit.

"The injury isn't so bad, the game was only two days ago, he won't train today and we'll see if he can play," said Guardiola about Alaba.

"We don't want to take any risks, but as I said, this is a final for us, so we want him to play.

"It won't be an easy game, I was pleased we won 3-0 in Athens and Olympiakos beat Arsenal in London, which shows how strong they are. They have a lot of quality."

Arsenal are on brink of a stunning failure to make the knockout stages for the first time in 16 years after three defeats from their four group games.

The Gunners must beat Croatia's Dinamo Zagreb at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday to keep their hopes alive and need second-placed Olympiakos to lose in Munich.

"We'll be doing all we can to win the game, not to help Arsenal, but for ourselves," said goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.

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Published Nov 23, 2015, 12:00 AM IST
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AFP Milan Juventus are preparing to do without Sami Khedira, Patrice Evra and Hernanes when they host Manchester City on Wednesday looking to clinch their place in the last 16 of the Champions League. Serie A champions Juventus claimed a third consecutive win in Italy's top flight for the first time this season with a 1-0 win over AC Milan in Turin on Saturday. But the victory came at a price, France international Evra hobbling off with an ankle injury and Brazil midfielder…

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