Guardiola: We are going to attack

(GSM) – Barcelona boss Josep Guardiola insists attack is the key in tonight’s game against VfB Stuttgart claiming a defensive approach will land them in trouble.

Barca are looking to be the first team to win successive Champions Leagues and overcoming Stuttgart will be the first step.

“If we play to defend, we will be sent packing,” Guardiola said. “Last season in the last 16 against Lyon we said the same thing; we are going to attack, have possession and create as many chances as possible because if we don’t do that, we won’t continue in the Champions League and will only have the league left.

“There’s no other option. This match is a final and will set up the rest of the season for us.”

Guardiola warned his players not to underestimate their German opponents. He took Real Madrid as an example: Los Merengues were knocked out of the Champions League by Olympique Lyon last week.

“Of course we can lose as Madrid did, without a doubt,” stated the 39-year-old manager. “It’s a huge challenge to make it to the quarter-finals, (to be) among Europe’s best, to equal Manchester United in reaching the quarter-finals for the third successive time.

“The team deserves the stadium to be absolutely full, I want the fans to back the team because we’re much stronger with them behind us.”