Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola has expressed his desire to cap off a successful year by winning the FIFA Club World Cup in Morocco.
The Bavarian giants face China's Guangzhou Evergrande in the semi-final of the competition this evening, with the German side expected to progress into Saturday's final to face either Atletico Mineiro of Brazil or Raja Casablanca of Morocco.
However, despite being overwhelming favourites to claim their fifth piece of silverware in 2013, Guardiola is taking nothing for granted.
"This tournament is very important, very prestigious. It's not easy to qualify for it, nor to win it. There are only two matches, the semi-final and the final, and simply put, we have to win them," the Bangkok Post quotes Guardiola as saying.
"You don't have the good fortune to take part in this competition very often in your life as a professional footballer and I'd like to express my gratitude to the team and [predecessor] Jupp Heynckes because thanks to them I am here today."
Guardiola can already boast a piece of personal history in this competition having become the only coach to win it twice, doing so with Barcelona in 2009 and 2011.
Barney Corkhill
