BAYERN MUNICH are sweating on the availability of Arjen Robben against Juventus as Pep Guardiola plots a way to break down a defence he has a begrudging respect for.
Dutch international winger Robben sat out the 5-0 Bundesliga win over Werder Bremen last weekend and may miss the crucial second leg of Bayern's last-16 tie with last season's runners-up because of illness.
The clash is finely poised following a 2-2 draw in the first leg in Turin and Guardiola would dearly love to be able to call upon Robben, who scored one of the away goals to give the Germans the edge ahead of the return fixture.
When asked at his pre-match press conference whether Robben would feature, Guardiola said: "I don't know, but I hope so."
Juve have their own selection issues to contend with having revealed striker Paulo Dybala and midfielder Claudio Marchisio will not feature in Bavaria due to calf problems.
However, Guardiola is not underestimating a team that last conceded in Serie A 11 matches ago: "They're still a dangerous team with huge mental strength," Guardiola added.
"They're defensively superb with 10 men behind the ball. I may not like it myself, but I have to admire their defensive ability."
It was the Bianconeri's attacking qualities that got them back in the tie, though, as they were two goals down before levelling things up in the first leg. Juve boss Massimiliano Allegri appreciates his men will have to get used to playing without the ball at the Allianz Arena, yet he does believe Guardiola's side can be undone on home soil.
"We're up against a side who are used to enjoying 60 per cent possession, but we know that they've got weaknesses we can exploit," he told a press conference.
"When you play against sides like Bayern, one of Europe's best three, you're required to give everything you've got. It's a shame one of the two teams has to exit the competition tomorrow - here's hoping it's them."
Despite the prospect of being eliminated from Europe before the quarter-final stage, Allegri insisted he could not risk Dybala with Juve hoping to wrap up a domestic double as well.
The 22-year-old has scored only once in the Champions League this term - against Bayern in the first leg - but is averaging a goal every other game in Serie A: "It would have been a big risk to bring him here, so I decided to leave him at home, also with Serie A and the Coppa Italia final in mind," Allegri added.
"Regardless, we have a strong squad and whoever crosses the white line tomorrow will be up to the task."
