Guardiola seeks to leave on a high

MUNICH – Bayern Munich are desperate to avoid losing a third consecutive Champions League semifinal when they host Atletico Madrid tonight but coach Pep Guardiola has his work cut out to end his time in Germany on a high.

Guardiola inherited the reigning European champions when he joined Bayern in 2013, but has endured successive semifinal failures since, falling to Real Madrid in 2014 and to his former club Barcelona last season.

His hopes of reaching a first Champions League final since his Barcelona side beat Manchester United 3-1 in 2011 were dented after Saul Niguez’s bril- liant solo goal gave Atletico a 1-0 first-leg victory.

With Guardiola leaving for Manchester City at the season’s end, this is his last chance to conquer Europe with Bayern.

“If we lose it, you can kill me, but we still have a chance,” Guardiola said.

Atletico coach Diego Simeone also believes the tie is open.

“Playing in Munich means they ’ ll have their fans, but we have the opportunity to score an away goal,” Simeone said.

“We need to be on fire on Tuesday [tonight],” said Thomas Mueller, who shone as Bayern were held 1-1 by Borussia Moenchengladbach on Saturday.

Mueller’s return was one of eight changes from the Atletico match made by Bayern, who were boosted by the return of Jerome Boateng, who had not featured since January.

Arjen Robben, sidelined for two months with a hamstring injury, says he is “fighting” to return this season but will miss out, while Guardiola confirmed he does not know whether Franck Ribery will recover from a back complaint.

“We ’ ll do everything we can to have Franck back,” said Guardiola, who is also without defender Holger Badstuber.

While Bayern were unconvincing on Saturday, Atletico are finishing strongly in Spain, having won their last six league games.

They are level on points with La Liga leaders Barcelona after defeating Rayo Vallecano 1-0 on Saturday. –