Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola has warmly praised opposite number Thomas Tuchel ahead of Saturday's DFB-Pokal final against Borussia Dortmund.
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Pep Guardiola hails Tuchel ahead of Pokal showdown
Pep Guardiola has credited Thomas Tuchel as being a fellow football obsessive ahead of Bayern Munich's DFB Pokal final against Dortmund.
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Guardiola will end his decorated three-year spell at Bayern at the Olympc Stadium in Berlin ahead of his move to Manchester City.
Bayern have claimed Bundesliga glory in each of the ex-Barcelona boss' seasons in charge and a win over Dortmund secured the domestic double in 2014.
A penalty shootout loss to Wolfsburg meant they fell short in the Pokal last time around and Guardiola expects a tough encounter with Dortmund, identifying Tuchel as a key factor in their progress to second place and a 78-point haul in the first campaign after Jurgen Klopp's celebrated tenure as coach.
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"Thomas lives football," Guardiola told the DFB's official website "He has this passion, this desire to want to know everything, to get better.
"He's 24 hours a day thinking about his team, the opponents, football generally. I like that about him.
"Yes and no [it surprised me how well he did this season]. No, because I knew what an excellent coach Thomas was. Yes, because he has incredible speed in how he affects the game of Borussia Dortmund. BVB has played a fantastic season.
"Thomas and I understand each other. We have the same passion for the game.
"Any team that has reached the final, has earned it. A final between Bayern and Dortmund has an emotional reach all over Germany. The duel is very, very intense and observed worldwide."
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Guardiola is keen to sign off with another trophy for the Bavarian giants in a tournament that has won a special place in his affections.
"In Spain we have a different system, a round of the [Copa del Rey] with home and away legs.
"That is actually better for the strong teams and a second division or an amateur team have little chance. I like the way the Pokal is played in Germany, there is more excitement and also often surprises.
"It was incredible [in 2014]. Hermann Gerland, my assistant coach, had raved to me all year of this great atmosphere at the final in Berlin.
"When we were there, I realised what he meant. It is a great experience for me, for both teams and the football fans in Germany."
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Guardiola added: "It could have been a slightly easier farewell for us but I look forward to this game; we all look forward. It will be a fantastic final between two great clubs."
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