Preview: Bayern Munich vs. Barcelona

Europe's two most dominant clubs meet in a Champions League semi-final first leg on Tuesday.

Bayern Munich welcome Barcelona to the Allianz Arena in the first semi, with another German-Spanish battle taking place between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid the following day.

Bayern are 20 points clear and have already sealed the Bundesliga title, while Barca hold a 13-point lead over Real in La Liga.

Both sides go into the match on the back of domestic wins, with Bayern moving their goal difference to +75 with a 6-1 thrashing of Hannover, while Barca saw off Levante thanks to Cesc Fabregas's goal.

Lionel Messi has been passed fit for the clash, overcoming a hamstring strain to play for the visitors, who are looking to extend an eight-match unbeaten sequence on German soil.

Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes will have to decide whether to continue with in-form Mario Gomez up front. He has scored five goals in the last two games but is second-choice to Mario Mandzukic.

These two last met in the 2008-09 quarter-finals and it was Barca who triumphed 5-1 on aggregate after four goals in the first half of the first leg in Catalonia. Thierry Henry was one of the scorers in that match.

Recent form

Bayern: WWWWWW

Barca: WWDWDD

Possible starting lineups

Bayern: Neuer; Lahm, Van Buyten, Dante, Alaba; Martinez, Schweinsteiger; Robben, Muller, Ribery; Mandzukic

Barca: Valdes; Dani Alves, Pique, Adriano, Alba; Xavi, Busquets, Iniesta; Pedro, Messi, Villa

Sports Mole says: 1-1

Written by
Pascal Lemesre

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