UEFA Champions League: FC Barcelona Draw Bayern Munich

FC Barcelona avoided arch-rivals Real Madrid in today’s UEFA Champions League semi-final draw, although Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich stand between the Blaugrana and a spot in their eighth Champions League/European Cup final. Bayern Munich are widely regarded to be one of the favourites to lift the famous trophy at Wembley on May 25^th, especially after they came so close last season, famously losing out to Chelsea in a penalty shoot-out.

The last time these two sides met in official competition was back in 2009, when Barcelona eliminated Bayern Munich at the quarter-final stage. Lionel Messi inspired Barça to a 4-0 victory at the Camp Nou in the opening leg, and Seydou Keita’s 73^rd minute equaliser salvaged a draw at the Allianz Arena. Both sides will be missing key players – Barcelona of course will be without Javier Mascherano while Adriano and Carles Puyol are likely to miss at least the first meeting between the two sides, while Toni Kroos misses out for Bayern, with Mario Mandzukic sitting out the first leg with a suspension.

Will history repeat itself? Can Barcelona overcome their defensive frailties to eliminate Bayern Munich, or will Jupp Heynckes be able to mastermind the Bavarians to a second successive UEFA Champions League final?

SCHEDULE

Bayern Munich vs FC Barcelona

First Leg to be played on the 23^rd of April at the Allianz Arena

Second Leg to be played on the 1^st of May at the Camp Nou

Borussia Dortmund vs Real Madrid

First Leg to be played on the 24^th of April at the Signal Iduna Park

Second Leg to be played on the 30^th of April at the Santiago Bernabeu