Champions League Preview: Barcelona vs Bayern Munich

FC Barcelona welcome their Bavarian conquerors Bayern Munich to their iconic Camp Nou stadium, still smarting from the 4-0 hiding that they were handed last week in Munich. Barcelona need to score a minimum of four goals to salvage the tie. But one a single goal from their German opponents will result in Barcelona having to win by five or more goals; a seemingly impossible task given their opponents’ spectacular form this season.

Many consider this great Bayern side to have already reached the final, but nothing is certain as yet, and Lionel Messi & Co. still have a say, and it will probably be the hardest game the Catalans have had to play for a long time.

FC Barcelona players in action during a training session ahead of their UEFA Champions League Semi-final second leg match against FC Bayern Muenchen at Joan Gamper sport complex on April 30, 2013 in Barcelona, Spain. (Getty Images)

Team News – Barcelona

The big news, the only news Barca need to hear, is that Messi is fully fit once again and raring to go, and has a point to prove after his abysmal showing at the Allianz Arena last week. Jordi Alba is suspended after receiving his fifth yellow card last week.

Captain Carles Puyol is still sidelined and Javier Mascherano only returned to light training this week, and is unlikely to play a role. Sergio Busquets is also dealing with a niggling groin injury, and is unlikely to play for Barca.

Team News – Bayern Munich

Midfielder Toni Kroos is the only Bayern player sidelined with injury, and will unavailable for the trip to Spain. Striker Mario Mandzukic will return after being suspended for the first leg, and is certain to replace Mario Gomez as the German champions’ lead striker.

However, six Bayern players including Philipp Lahm, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Javi Martinez are one yellow card away from being suspended for the final. Jupp Heyneckes has promised not to rest his key players, and would be wise not to, as underestimating Barcelona would be suicide.

Preview:

The odds are stacked against the Catalan giants, as they seek to pull off the greatest comeback in European Cup/Champions League history on Wednesday night. They face world football’s most in-form and dangerous side in their own lair, and the Bavarians also hold a definitive mental advantage coming into this fixture.

Lionel Messi is the only one who is capable of saving Barcelona. He inspires Barca with his mere presence, he is the force that directly starts most of their attacks, and often he finishes what he starts. Messi’s dribbling, clinical edge, vision, passing and ability to pick out a pass are all unmatched by all but a certain few in this world.

However this is not a one-man job. Sure Messi can score a few goals and get Barca flowing, something that he is almost certain to do. The real battle is in midfield however. With the news that Busquets isn’t going to turn out for the home side, Alex Song will be his direct replacement, and will come up against the likes of Thomas Muller and Bastian Schweinsteiger. Song will be flanked by Xavi, who will come up against his national team-mate Javi Martinez.

The midfield is where Bayern managed to completely overwhelm and outrun Barca. They were simply more energetic, fit and hungrier than Barca were, and completely neutralised the threat of Xavi. Iniesta was also subdued with ruthless efficiency, destroying Barca’s engine. The trio of Song, Iniesta and Xavi need to win the midfield battle, and Song brings a different game to field when compared to Busquets.

Song is not as assured or comfortable with the ball at his feet, but he won’t need to be. Tito Vilanova will need Song to be the perfect midfield destroyer, as he is a far more tenacious tackler than Busquets and his physicality is much needed, as Bayern were able to physically overwhelm the Catalans.

Jerome Boateng and Dante will have the thankless job of marking Messi, and will be in for a real test. They will be more physical in addition to tactically marking Messi out, and they are certainly capable of it. Bayern have their counter-attacking weapons, the duo of ‘Robbery’, Ribery and Robben, who can break at an instant and destroy the Catalans.

Additionally Mandzcukic is far more versatile than Gomez, and will interchange with the dangerous Muller on the counter, as Barca will be forced to play a high-line.

Head coach Jupp Heynckes of FC Bayern Muenchen speaks to his players during a training session ahead of their UEFA Champions League Semi-final second leg match against FC Barcelona on April 30, 2013 in Barcelona, Spain. (Getty Images)

Interesting Facts:

- Barcelona have won their last 10 home games against German opposition, including a 4-0 victory over Bayern in 2009.

- Bayern Munich are on a 17-match winning streak away from home in all competitions.

- Six Bayern players are one booking away from missing the final, and Bayern are the most cautioned side in this season’s Champions League.

- No team in the history of European Cup has ever overturned a four-goal first-leg deficit.

Prediction:

Barcelona will come out all guns blazing, as they have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Bayern will be happy to sit back and let Barca come to them, and key players such as Lahm and Schweinsteiger will be playing cautiously to avoid bookings. Barca will be the first to draw blood, but it would be very surprising even if the Catalans manage a narrow victory, as their defence is too shaky and unreliable.

FC Barcelona 2-2 Bayern Munich