Wednesday 6 May 2015 14:41, UK
The odds are against Bayern Munich as they prepare for their Champions League semi-final against Barcelona without a number of key players, but the Germans have history on their side.
Arjen Robben and Frank Ribery top Bayern’s injury list for Wednesday’s first leg clash at the Nou Camp, while Holger Badstuber, David Alaba and Sebastian Rode are also out and Robert Lewandowski is set to play with a protective mask after fracturing his nose and cheekbone in Bayern’s German Cup defeat to Borussia Dortmund.
But despite their depleted numbers, Bayern boast a formidable record against Barcelona – and in former manager Pep Guardiola they have the perfect man to plot the Catalan side’s downfall.
Bayern have only lost one of their eight previous meetings with Barcelona, and the man behind that defeat was none other than Guardiola in Barca’s 2008/09 treble-winning season.
Lionel Messi scored twice and Thierry Henry and Samuel Eto’o were also on target that night as Guardiola’s men produced a scintillating display, but Bayern have inflicted five defeats on Barcelona in their seven other meetings.
The most recent encounters ended in utter humiliation for the Catalan giants in 2013, as Jupp Heynckes’s men famously romped to a remarkable 7-0 aggregate victory and set up a Champions League final with Dortmund.
Bayern’s starting XI will be very different to the one that started the 3-0 win at the Nou Camp that year, but key quartet Manuel Neuer, Philipp Lahm, Jerome Boateng and Thomas Muller are all certain to start.
Barcelona have only tasted defeat twice at the Nou Camp this season, but Bayern’s victory in 2013 was not a one-off – they have won three of their four previous visits dating back to a 2-1 win in the 1995/96 UEFA Cup semi-final second leg.
They tend to fare well against Spanish opposition in general, having won five of their seven European semi-finals against Spanish opponents, which is another encouraging omen for the Germans.
Previous meetings (Bayern: P8 W5 D2 L1)
2012/13 Barca 0-3 Bayern
2012/13 Bayern 4-0 Barca
2008/09 Bayern 1-1 Barca
2008/09 Barca 4-0 Bayern
1998/99 Barca 1-2 Bayern
1998/99 Bayern 1-0 Barca
1995/96 Barca 1-2 Bayern
1995/96 Bayern 2-2 Barca
Bayern are the top scorers in the Champions League this season with 30 goals, seven more than Barcelona. And having beaten Shakhtar Donetsk 7-0, Roma 7-1 and Porto 6-1, they are the only side ever to have scored six or more goals in three Champions League games in a single season.
While injuries like Bayern’s would tempt many managers to adopt a more defensive approach in Wednesday’s game, Guardiola has vowed to go on the attack once again. “It will be difficult to get to the final if we don’t score at least one goal in the Nou Camp,” the 44-year-old said in his pre-match press conference. “Let there be no doubt, I have come to win.”
But despite Bayern’s brilliant record against Barca, the Catalans are the form side having won 26 of their last 28 games in all competitions. Bayern, meanwhile, come into the game off the back of a 2-0 defeat to Bayer Leverkusen which followed their elimination from the German Cup by Dortmund.
Luis Enrique’s side have also won eight consecutive Champions League games for the first time since 2002/03, scoring an average of 2.5 goals per game along the way. Despite Bayern’s prolific scoring record in the competition this season, they have only won two of seven Champions League away games in 2014/15.
Intriguing contest
It all points to an intriguing contest at the Nou Camp. "I believe it will be one of the most attractive games that you will be able to see in Europe,” said Barcelona boss Enrique, who is expecting tactical surprises from his former team-mate.
“Having seen Bayern and knowing Pep, there could well be changes and surprises which can make things complicated for us," he added.
For his part, Guardiola is relishing the prospect of facing his former side. "It's fantastic to be back here,” he said. “It's very special, but now I am Bayern coach and I have to give my best."
Indeed, Bayern will need to be at their very best - but they have reasons to believe they could repeat their previous successes in Catalonia.
Watch Barcelona v Bayern Munich live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 7pm on Wednesday
