Pep Guardiola: 'Barcelona are the strongest side'

Pep Guardiola has admitted that Barcelona are the best side in Europe after his Bayern Munich team were drawn against them in the semi-finals of the Champions League.

It was confirmed on Friday that Guardiola would return to his former club for the first time since leaving in 2012, and the Spaniard believes that Bayern could not have faced a tougher test following their emphatic triumph over Porto in the last eight.

"Obviously, Barcelona were one of the options. I have enjoyed a lot of success at Barca, but I am very happy to be here at Bayern. It's fine for me. Barcelona are of course the best out there," he told reporters.

"I am grateful to get this chance to return to Barcelona with Bayern. It is something very special.

"I cannot say anything bad about Barcelona. I have nothing but respect for Barca. I will never forget these two games. We will need the entire team to beat Barcelona. Believe me, they are the strongest."

Guardiola won 14 trophies during his four-year spell in charge of Barcelona.