Football
Stephan Uersfeld, Germany correspondent 9y

Pep Guardiola set to make changes as Bayern Munich face CSKA Moscow

Pep Guardiola has indicated that he plans to rest several of his Bayern Munich regulars against CSKA Moscow but insists his side will be committed to winning the match.

Bayern have already qualified for the knockout stage of the Champions League as Group E winners, but Roma, Manchester City and CSKA are all locked on five points as they go into the final day on Wednesday.

If CSKA were to claim victory at the Allianz Arena, City would have no prospect of reaching the knockout stages, but Guardiola says Bayern are determined to claim all three points.

"We play to win -- that's our job," he told the prematch news conference on Tuesday, although he acknowledged that it will not be easy.

"They're a team with big hearts," he said. "They won in Manchester, and they keep fighting to the last minute. They'll do everything they can to seize their chance tomorrow."

Bayern face Bundesliga games against Augsburg, Freiburg and Mainz before the winter break, and Guardiola, who said some members of his squad are "a little tired," suggested some of his fringe players could get a chance.

"I don't know how many, but it could well be that we see some new faces," he said.

Bayern are certain to be without long-term injury absentees like Philipp Lahm, Javi Martinez and Thiago Alcantara, while Medhi Benatia will be suspended following his red card in the defeat to City. Blick has also reported that wantaway midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri missed the final training session with a groin problem.

Guardiola remained coy as to whether Bastian Schweinsteiger will be in the starting lineup for the first time this season, with the Germany captain having made three brief appearances as a substitute since returning from injury.

"Bastian is in a good shape, and he could start, but I won't give away too much," he said.

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