Guardiola eager to break Spanish semi-final curse

Berlin - Pep Guardiola insists Bayern Munich can make it third time lucky against Spanish opposition in Tuesday's Champions League semi-final return leg with Atletico Madrid at the Allianz Arena.

Atletico comes to Munich holding a slender lead after Saul Niguez's early solo strike in last Wednesday's first leg sealed a 1-0 home win.

Guardiola, who will coach Manchester City next season, wants to sign off in Munich by winning a sixth European title with Bayern in the Champions League final in Milan on May 28.

Bayern's head coach could finish his third and final year in Munich with the treble.

The Bavarian giant is set to win a fourth consecutive Bundesliga title Saturday away to Ingolstadt, and faces rival Borussia Dortmund in the DFB Pokal final on May 21.

But the Champions League title is the one both Guardiola and Bayern crave, especially after the failed semi-final attempts of the last two years.

In 2014, Real Madrid routed Bayern 4-0 in Munich, where Sergio Ramos and Cristiano Ronaldo both netted twice, after the Bavarians had lost the first leg 1-0 at the Bernabeu.

In last year's semi, Lionel Messi tore the Bayern defence apart in the first leg in Barcelona.

He scored two goals, then created one for Neymar, in Barcelona's 3-0 win at the Camp Nou, before Bayern bowed out despite winning the return leg 3-2 in Munich.

"It's the third semi-final in a row. It's very important to reach the final, but it was just as important as against Real and Barcelona when we didn't manage it," said Guardiola.

"Against Real, we didn't have Ronaldo, (Gareth) Bale, (Karim) Benzema or (Angel) Di Maria under control.

"Against Barcelona, we weren't ready, we only had 14 available players, but we're ready for tomorrow and it will be a different game."

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Guardiola insists his side has improved since its home debacle against Madrid two years ago.

"We learnt from the game against Real," said the 45-year-old.

"We have only conceded 15 goals in the Bundesliga this season and have not allowed many goal chances.

"What I have noticed in my time here is that we can defend very well high up the pitch and not just in the penalty area."

Bayern needs at least a goal - and must stop Atletico from scoring - to keep its dreams of reaching a fourth Champions League final in seven years.