Pep Guardiola returns to the Camp Nou on Wednesday as his Bayern Munich face Barcelona, the club where he triumphed both as a player and head coach. The two giants will fight for a place in the Champions League final. Bayern have produced a memorable tie against Barcelona in 2013, they won the first leg at home 4-0 and then hammered the Spaniards 3-0 at the Camp Nou. There have been eight games between these two teams and Bayern have won five of them, with Barcelona claiming a single success. Ironically, that victory was when Guardiola was in charge of Messi and company.
Barcelona have been in top form recently, they have won their last five games on the bounce, scored 20 goals in the process and kept a clean sheet throughout. Last weekend they battered Cordoba 8-0 to remain top of the table. Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi and Neymar have scored a record-breaking 108 goals between them this season. Barca have lost just once in their last 32 European matches at the Camp Nou, but that defeat was handed exactly by Bayern back in 2013. There are no injury concerns for Barcelona, so Luis Enrique will field his best possible eleven.
Pep Guardiola had a fabulous four-year spell at Barcelona, winning 14 trophies. Now he tries to achieve similar glory with Bayern, with five trophies so far but no Champions League yet. Last season they were hammered by Real Madrid in the semi-finals, it was 5-0 on aggregate. Last week Bayern were defeated 2-0 at Leverkusen but Guardiola fielded a weakened team as the Bundesliga title had already been secured. Bayern will be without Arjen Robben, ruled out for the remainder of the season, while David Alaba and Holger Badstuber are also unavailable. Franck Ribery and Robert Lewandowski are in doubt due to injuries.
Probable line-ups:
Barcelona: Ter Stegen - Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Alba - Busquets, Rakitic, Iniesta - Suarez, Messi, Neymar.
Bayern Munich: Neuer - Bernat, Benatia, Boateng, Rafinha - Lahm, Schweinsteiger, Alonso - Thiago, Gotze - Muller
My prediction: Barcelona to win 3-1.
Here are the odds for the match at Bet365:
Barcelona win - 1.72 Draw - 4.00 Bayern win - 5.00
timidi 8 years ago
Barcelona knows how to play games like that. They didn't score until 15 minutes before the end but they stay concentrated and they didn't rush for goal. They keep calm and they played their game and goals comes with time. After this game I think that we all know who will play in final and we just need to see who will be...
Barcelona knows how to play games like that. They didn't score until 15 minutes before the end but they stay concentrated and they didn't rush for goal. They keep calm and they played their game and goals comes with time. After this game I think that we all know who will play in final and we just need to see who will be Barcelona's opponent in final.
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sharpe 8 years ago
Nothing so unexpected, Bayern is just so far away from their form and style under Jupp Heinckes. Since arrival of Guardiola they play worst and worst in typical Barcelona style. Yes they are still good enough to be champions in Bundesliga but in Europe they struggling not only in the last night game but in previous rounds...
Nothing so unexpected, Bayern is just so far away from their form and style under Jupp Heinckes. Since arrival of Guardiola they play worst and worst in typical Barcelona style. Yes they are still good enough to be champions in Bundesliga but in Europe they struggling not only in the last night game but in previous rounds too.
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kruno1414 8 years ago
What and amazing show from an amazing team and especially their amazing striker called LIONEL MESSI ! they absolutely destroyed Bayern Munich last night in every segment of game . Especially Lionel who was everywhere on the field . It was a miracle that Bayern conceded only three goalsit should've been 5-0 . The revenge...
What and amazing show from an amazing team and especially their amazing striker called LIONEL MESSI ! they absolutely destroyed Bayern Munich last night in every segment of game . Especially Lionel who was everywhere on the field . It was a miracle that Bayern conceded only three goalsit should've been 5-0 . The revenge from Barcelona is sweettt :))
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seculla 8 years ago
It was a great match for Barcelona. They knew where is Bayern Munich "weak" at this moment and they knew how to use that. Maybe it seems that it's all over, but it's not over until they play their second match on Alianz Arena. We all remember how Bayern beat Barcelona two seasons ago, 4:0 in Germany and 3:0 at Nou Camp,...
It was a great match for Barcelona. They knew where is Bayern Munich "weak" at this moment and they knew how to use that. Maybe it seems that it's all over, but it's not over until they play their second match on Alianz Arena. We all remember how Bayern beat Barcelona two seasons ago, 4:0 in Germany and 3:0 at Nou Camp, but anyway Bayern needs a "miracle" to play in the final.
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rikimartin4444_115925 8 years ago
Fantastic match we watched last night. A lot of good moves, good quality saves from goalkeepers and three goals. Barcelona is better for Messi who brought victory. It's amazing his second goal which showed that he is the best player in the world in one on one. Bayern after conceding a goal played with no concentration and...
Fantastic match we watched last night. A lot of good moves, good quality saves from goalkeepers and three goals. Barcelona is better for Messi who brought victory. It's amazing his second goal which showed that he is the best player in the world in one on one. Bayern after conceding a goal played with no concentration and plan and, therefore, have received two more goals and practical dropped out of the competition.
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Johnajax 8 years ago
Lionel Messi is the best player on the world! Last night he showed us everything why we watching this game. He was great whole game and when Barca needed most with two goals he decided the winner. Both goals were great but second was magic. So after this big win Barcelona is safe in the final and now they wait better team...
Lionel Messi is the best player on the world! Last night he showed us everything why we watching this game. He was great whole game and when Barca needed most with two goals he decided the winner. Both goals were great but second was magic. So after this big win Barcelona is safe in the final and now they wait better team from other semi final Real or Juventus.
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mapika 8 years ago
I'm counting the minutes to the start of the match. It has to be one of the most spectacular matches of this UCL season. I don't have any favourite, i just hope to see a nice match and if possible with at least 2-3 goals. Anyway, i think Barcelona will win this one. Bayern were not a very strong team when played away with...
I'm counting the minutes to the start of the match. It has to be one of the most spectacular matches of this UCL season. I don't have any favourite, i just hope to see a nice match and if possible with at least 2-3 goals. Anyway, i think Barcelona will win this one. Bayern were not a very strong team when played away with Shakhtar and Porto and they also made a bad result at Leverkusen this saturday. Enjoy the match!
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sharpe 8 years ago
I think Barcelona are huge favourites in this one. Although Bayern claim another title in the Bundesliga they are not so convincing in their game on the German and European scene. Barca have a really great names up front and I think the will make a tough life for a Bayern Munich's defense tonight.
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seculla 8 years ago
This will be very good match, with high tempo of play. I expect that we will see many goals and also at least one from both sides. Bayern are very strong team, even without Robben and Ribery, they still can beat Barcelona. On the other side Barca have the best attack in World, and it will be very hard for Bayern's defenders...
This will be very good match, with high tempo of play. I expect that we will see many goals and also at least one from both sides. Bayern are very strong team, even without Robben and Ribery, they still can beat Barcelona. On the other side Barca have the best attack in World, and it will be very hard for Bayern's defenders to stop them.
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h34dhunt3r 8 years ago
Battle of titans. Match between Barcelona and Bayern Munich isn't called finale before finale for no reason. Curently two top teams in Europe will face each other tonight. On one side we have Barcelona, with their deadly strikers, leader in Primera, stated as favourite at least for tonights match. On other side, German...
Battle of titans. Match between Barcelona and Bayern Munich isn't called finale before finale for no reason. Curently two top teams in Europe will face each other tonight. On one side we have Barcelona, with their deadly strikers, leader in Primera, stated as favourite at least for tonights match. On other side, German pride - Bayern from Munich, who already won their national championship, suffering injures from few key players. Barca is for sure favourite to win tonights match, but I expect goals from both sides. Betted 1X&3+. My predictions: - Result: 3:1 for Barcelona; - Man of the match: Neymar.
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rikimartin4444_115925 8 years ago
For me this is the final before the final. Two top teams took their game to perfection will play tonight at the Nou Camp. Back Guardiola in place of success with the team that was weakened by numerous injuries. We'll see how he would be able to deal with it and confront the Barcelona. Barcelona is in top form, a trio of...
For me this is the final before the final. Two top teams took their game to perfection will play tonight at the Nou Camp. Back Guardiola in place of success with the team that was weakened by numerous injuries. We'll see how he would be able to deal with it and confront the Barcelona. Barcelona is in top form, a trio of attack that perfectly combines. I do not expect too many goals, I think that Barcelona will win 2-0.
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Johnajax 8 years ago
This will be really clash of titans. I think that this two teams are in top three teams in Europa and this duel will be great to watch. I will give a little advantage for Barcelona, they are in great form, playing very well and they play this first match on Camp Nou. Bayern won't be easy task for them but Bayern have a...
This will be really clash of titans. I think that this two teams are in top three teams in Europa and this duel will be great to watch. I will give a little advantage for Barcelona, they are in great form, playing very well and they play this first match on Camp Nou. Bayern won't be easy task for them but Bayern have a lot of injured players and I think that Barca must take advantage of that and make good result.
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