Champions League: Bayern Munich v Barcelona match preview
A look ahead to this tonight’s Champions League semi-final first leg at the Allianz Arena
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Your support makes all the difference.Barcelona could take their first steps towards a fourth Champions League final in eight seasons, in the first leg of their semi-final in Munich tonight.
Follow all the news the news on tonight's semi-final first leg: Champions League: Bayern Munich v Barcelona - LIVE!
The Catalans travel to the Allianz Arena to play a red hot Bayern Munich side who have lost just once in 2013 in all competitions. Indeed, Jupp Heynckes’ Bundesliga champions have won 18 of their last 19 matches, their only defeat came at the hands of Arsenal in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
Despite reports to the contrary, Heynckes has not sought the guidance of the ex-Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola as he attempts to guide his Bayern side to a second successive Champions League final. The 67-year-old has reiterated that ‘nobody knows his side better’, rubbishing suggestions he is heeding advice ahead of the semi-final.
Bayern Munich’s Toni Kroos is still side-lined by a muscle tear he picked up in early April, while Lionel Messi has travelled with the Barca squad after sitting out of their last two matches.
KICK-OFF: Tuesday, 7.45pm
PAST MEETINGS…
Bayern Munich 1 (Ribery) Barcelona 1 (Keita), Champions League, knock-out phase, April 2009
Barcelona 4 (Messi 2, Eto’o, Henry) Bayern Munich 0, Champions League, knock-out phase, April 2009
STATS…
It's been eleven years since Barça were beaten on German soil, when they lost to Bayer Leverkusen in the 2001/02 group stages.
Barcelona have only won two of their last eight away games in all competitions (W2, D4, L2).
Bayern Munich have not kept a clean sheet in their last 12 Champions League games at home against Spanish opposition.
Barcelona have only won one of their six competitive encounters with Bayern Munich.
Bayern have committed more fouls (137) and received more yellow cards (24) than any other team in this year’s tournament.
ODDS…
Bayern Munich to win: 2.15
Barcelona to win: 3.3
Draw: 3.5
TV: Live on ITV 1 at 7.45pm, highlights on Sky Sports 1 at 12.00am (Wed).
Follow all the news the news on tonight's semi-final first leg: Champions League: Bayern Munich v Barcelona - LIVE!
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