BAYERN MUNICH
VS
BARCELONA
12th May, 19-45 GMT
Allianz Arena, Munich
Bayern Munich will host Barcelona in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League semifinal at the Allianz Arena.
Bayern have their task cut out in this game, and unless they can do what they did against Porto, it is curtains for Pep Guardiolaa s team. However, it will not be that easy as Barcelona will come to the game fully expecting to shut out Bayern at their home ground. The onus would be on Bayern to attack from the outset and if the first leg is any indication, it wona t be all that easy to break down Barcelona. But if anybody can turn around a 3 goal deficit from the first leg, you would have to say it has to be a Pep Guardiola team, so all is not lost yet.
Barcelona will come into this game in a more relaxed state of mind, knowing that even one goal would probably be enough to make life difficult for Bayern. In fact, they will likely focus more on keeping a clean sheet and may not venture as forward or be attack minded as they were in the first leg, and will be looking to break on the counter, since Bayern are likely to push up right from the start, in search of the necessary goals. Even though it is not in Barcaa s nature to sit back and defend, having a 3 goal lead and not reaching the final would be a disaster.
Team News and Tactics
Bayern Munich
Pep Guardiola has an injury headache that is definitely going to affect him going into the match. Such important players such as Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery are going to miss this game and will make the job for Bayern that much more harder. Joining the two superstars on the injury list are David Alaba, Holger Badstuber, Tom Starke and Sebastian Rode. Robert Lewandowski is a doubt too for this game, so Pep has a job on his hands if he wants to qualify for the final.
Bayern will definitely line up in a 4-3-3 and look to attack from the outset, and if Lewandowski is declared fit, he will likely start as the central striker, with Gotze and Muller either side of him. The full backs will push up more than usual, in search for 3 quick goals.
Expected Line up: Neuer; Bernat, Boateng, Benatia, Lahm; Alcantara, Alonso, Marinez; Gotze, Lewandowski, Muller
Barcelona
Having taken a 3 goal lead in the tie, Barcelona will not be too keen on pushing men forward and will be content to try and dissuade Bayern from scoring a goal early in the match. However, if the German club manage to take one or two goals early in the game, Barca will be forced to push forward in search of the all important away goal. Manager Luis Enrique may even try to get that goal early in the game to add pressure on Barca, so that they can concentrate on defending the rest of the game.
Barcelona, in contrast to Bayern, have no injured players and Enrique has the entire squad to choose from. With the chances for a treble still very much likely, he will choose his strongest team to start this game. It goes without saying that the frontline would be Messi, Suarez and Neymar. Rakitic and Iniesta will play either side of Busquets, who along with Pique and Mascherano, will have the most important task of shutting Bayern out.
Expected Line up: Stegen; Alba, Mascherano, Pique, Alves; Iniesta, Busquets, Rakitic; Neymar, Suarez, Messi
Prediction
This is a match that will be a treat to watch for all the fans, neutral or otherwise, as it is most definitely going to be a goal fest. Bayern won’t rest until they close out the goal deficit and Barca will look to counter the Germans. However, Barca, courtesy of their 3 goal lead, will sneak through to the finals.
Predicted Score: Bayern Munich 3-1 Barcelona