Barcelona vs Bayern Munich: Javi Martinez return could be more important in this semi-final than masked man Robert Lewandowski

The defensive minded player might get less headlines than his more attacking peers, but he could be the difference in the Champions League semi-finals

Javi Martinez (GETTY IMAGES)

It isn't Zorro, and it isn't Hannibal Lecter either, Bild informed its readers this week. No, the man in the mask is Robert Lewandowski!

The Polish striker had posted a picture of himself on Instagram wearing a black mask, with both thumbs up. The message for Bayern fans seemed to be that Lewandowski would be back. A week after having suffered a broken jaw at the hands of Dortmund goalkeeper Mitch Langerak, he would be ready to play in Wednesday's Champions League semi-final clash against Barcelona.

In reality, the thumbs were more optimistic than anything. Worries still remain over Lewandowski's shoulder and ribs, and he is not certain to start at the Camp Nou. But Bayern fans need some optimism at the moment. Lewandowski's was the last in a string of injuries which threaten to see Bayern destroyed by Barcelona in this semi-final.

Franck Ribery, David Alaba, Holger Badstuber, Sebastian Rode...the list of Bayern's invalids is unsettlingly long. There was brief hope when Arjen Robben returned to action against Dortmund last week, only for the Dutchman to limp off close to tears around fifteen minutes later. He will not play against Barcelona. The situation is so dire that Manuel Neuer celebrated last Saturday's 2-0 defeat to Leverkusen with the words, "at least nobody got injured".

If Lewandowski can stumble around the Camp Nou pitch on Wednesday with a black mask over his nose, it would certainly lift the mood around Munich. But while the Pole is dominating the headlines, his will arguably not be the most significant return to fitness ahead of this semi-final. Far more important may be the nearly forgotten 40 million Euro man. The ever understated, often underrated Javi Martinez.

Martinez has been out of action for the last nine months, having picked up a knee injury in the German Supercup against Borussia Dortmund. Bayern have muddled on without him – they have enough brilliant players to fill the roles of holding midfielder and centre back – and the Spaniard had all but slipped under the radar until last weekend, when he re-emerged against Leverkusen.

Where Arjen Robben and Franck Ribéry's injuries have been endless fodder for the headline generators, Martinez seemed to simply drop off the agenda during his injury. A cynic would say that it is because the former Bilbao man has in any case always been a misfit in Guardiola's system. Under Jupp Heynckes, Martinez was imperious as one half of a defensive midfield duo. Under Guardiola, Bayern play with only one holding man, and Martinez spent an under par second season drifting between midfield and central defence.

Bayern Munich's Polish striker Robert Lewandowski (GETTY IMAGES)

That was the narrative, in any case. But it was a simplistic one. Martinez may have taken time to adapt to his new role under Guardiola, but he was never considered surplus to requirements. As rumours of his potential departure mounted last year, Guardiola was adamant: "As long as I am here, Javi stays here".

Indeed, the moment in which he was carried off the field nine months ago left Bayern's governors tangibly shocked. Martinez had been central to this season's plan, and was now set to play no role at all. That he is of less interest to the media than the Robbens and Riberys of this world has little to do with his importance for Bayern, and more to do with the age old truth that strikers make sexier talking points.

Martinez is used to that though. At the Champions League Final in 2013, he capped a brilliant first season at Bayern with perhaps his finest performance for them. Arjen Robben may have won man of the match, but Martinez deserved it. He was incredible at Wembley, dictating the pace in midfield and cutting out counter attack after counter attack in defence. Whenever a Dortmund full back played a long, wide through ball to Marco Reus, Martinez towered, hooking the ball down to Earth with a uniquely awkward grace.

It is this particular quality of his which may make him so important against Barcelona. When Bayern thrashed the Catalans in this fixture two years ago, they gave the possession masters a lesson in ruthless, opportunistic football. Nowadays, the roles are reversed. Bayern's passing game will come up against the most vicious, direct attack in Europe. Martinez' ability to blunt and stifle that attack may be far more valuable than Lewandowski's goals.

Pep Guardiola is fearful of what an in-form Barcelona might do to Bayern (Getty Images)

At Monday's pre-Barcelona press conference, Martinez emerged with his familiar, coy grin. Like Manuel Neuer, he seemed unbothered by Saturday's result against Leverkusen. "I felt good, it was good to get back after nine months. I felt faster than I thought I would be before the game. I am ready".

A mixture of natural understatement and limited German meant that those platitudes were all the press were going to get from Javi Martinez. But then again, this gentle, well liked, Basque giant was never going to be the major story. He may, however, prove to be the difference.