Guardiola: Bayern not the best team in Europe

Coach Pep Guardiola does not believe that Bayern Munich are the best team in Europe.

Guardiola is aiming to replicate predecessor Jupp Heynckes, who won the Bundesliga, UEFA Champions League and DFB-Pokal during his final season at the club.

With Bayern leading the Bundesliga and having secured Champions League qualification as Group D winners, Guardiola has enjoyed a successful start to his debut campaign at the Allianz Arena.

However, the Spaniard looked to cool expectations on Friday.

“We are not the best team in Europe,” he said. “The last year was incredible, the club earned Jupp lots and lots of praise. This year we do not deserve the praise.

“We’re not the best team in Europe. We can improve a lot.”

Bayern were beaten 3-2 by Manchester City in the Champions League on Tuesday and Guardiola wants a response against Hamburg on Saturday.

Despite enjoying a four-point advantage at the top of the German top flight, Guardiola does not believe the title race is over.

“I have the feeling that people think the Bundesliga is already decided,” he added. “That’s not true, we are only in December..

“A win (on Saturday) is important to keep our enemies at bay. We have struggled a lot to have this advantage.

“I’m surprised by how difficult every single game is in the Bundesliga.

“It’s important to win against Hamburg in order to keep the distance to Leverkusen, Dortmund and Gladbach.”

Guardiola also confirmed that a decision on the involvement of David Alaba and Javi Martinez, who are suffering with finger and shoulder injuries respectively, would be made on Saturday.