体坛英语新闻：News analysis: Bayern's strategy: "Mia san mia" will beat Porto

BERLIN, April 14 (Xinhua) -- You can't exactly call Pep Guardiola a newcomer at Bayern Munich as the Spaniard has been working for the German champion since July 2013. But in advance of the club's Champions League quarterfinal first leg against FC Porto at the "Estadio do dragao" this Wednesday evening, the brilliant coach has learned something new.

That is: Every time the club from southern Germany hits any kind of difficulties, they fall back on their special attitude that they have cultivated over the years. The meanwhile famous "mia san mia" (we are what we are - and we are special) not only expresses regional Bavarian pride but it is somehow the key mindset of the most successful side in German football.

If things get tight, as they are at the moment due to key figures like Franck Ribery, Arjen Robben, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Javier Martinez and David Alaba being out injured, team, coach and club have reset themselves into a sort of siege mentality. Meaning: It might be tough but we have dreams and we have both the will power and the physical power.

Looking at the semifinal and the final, which Bayern and Guardiola are aiming at, the unique approach might be not enough to beat so-called big guns like FC Barcelona or Real Madrid. But in the Champions League quarterfinals, it will most likely be successful considering the still high quality of Bayern's squad.

Despite that it can be seen as a positive attribute of Bayern's team that they can change from being bright and artistic, with Robben and Ribery, to one that delivers football basics combined with a strong will to win no matter how, like they did when winning the tight domestic cup game in Bayer Leverkusen on penalties.

"It's a different game when Arjen Robben and I are not in the team," said the French striker Ribery. Two of Bayern's seven Champions League defeat have come without the unique duo affectionately called "Robbery" by the club's creative fans.

Guardiola is looking forward to the problems involved in picking the first team when he has all his top players available than the ones where he has to look for replacements.

To sharpen their minds, Bayern took off a day earlier than usual (Monday afternoon) to have an additional day of preparation in Portugal. In Bayern's team hotel, Guardiola won't be again speaking of a "critical situation" but of the small group's potential.

Compensating for the loss of Ribery and Robben, center forward Robert Lewandowski is finally showing the kind of form that inspired Bayern to sign him before the start of the season as he has scored nine goals in the last eight games. The Polish forward has now amassed 16 goals in 25 games and seems to be on the way to becoming the Bundesliga's top scorer at the end of the season.

After a rather disappointing start this season, Lewandowski has come to terms with Guardiola's ideas for a highly flexible attacking game. The 26-year old changes positions with Mueller and Goetze and is ready to fill the role as an open man shielding the ball and creating space for his teammates in the penalty box.

In addition to the improving Lewandowski, Guardiola can rely on Thiago, after a month-long injury, and his captain Philipp Lahm who he regards as a kind of assistant coach on the pitch.

Jerome Boateng has also reported back for duty as has German national keeper Manuel Neuer who had a minor injury.

"No reason to panic," says Lahm. Looking ahead at the coming all-important weeks, striker Thomas Mueller was also upbeat when saying, "It's time to show guts. We are far from being down and out."

Meaning, one of the most painful defeats in Bayern's history is forgotten. In 1987 the Germans appeared to be the likely winners in the Champions League final in Vienna when leading 1-0 shortly before the final whistle but eventually losing to two late Porto goals.

This time Bayern are again the favorites but have a chance to turn things around should they lose the quarterfinal first leg when they face Porto in the return match at home in Munich on April 21.

This Wednesday and in the second leg match, it will be up to Guardiola to decide upon the best system. In Porto he and his team will most likely play with a midfield diamond to make them more incisive when trying to break down the centre of Porto's defense.

In a week's time, when Robben and Ribery might be ready to return, Bayern might have to re-think their strategy. Guardiola hopes it will work both ways, either with the geniuses down the flanks or the special "Mia san mia" mentality.

Probable Bayern lineup:

Manuel Neuer - Rafinha, Jerome Boateng, Dante, Juan Bernat - Xabi Alonso - Philipp Lahm, Thiago - Mario Goetze - Thomas Mueller, Robert Lewandowski.