FC Barcelona News: 6 May 2015; 18 Players Named in Squad for Bayern Munich, Neymar Called Up for Copa America

18 players in squad to face Bayern Munich | FC Barcelona
Luis Enrique has called up 18 players for the game against Bayern Munich this evening. Masip, Montoya, Douglas and Sergi Roberto are the players discarded, as well as Mathieu, who has an Achilles heel problem. The list also features Thomas Vermaelen, who will be making his debut in a match day squad.

Luis Enrique: this is Europe's most attractive game | FC Barcelona
Barça boss Luis Enrique Martínez reckons that tomorrow’s match against Bayern Munich at the Camp Nou should be a cracker of a game: "there's only one ball on the pitch and both teams want it, we’ll have to see who manges things best.This is the most attractive match up in Europe right now".

Mathieu out for Bayern game | FC Barcelona
Jérémy Mathieu will sit out Wednesday’s Champions League semi-final first leg with an Achilles tendon problem, but Luis Enrique will otherwise have a full squad at his disposition. Barça B striker Munir took part in this morning’s training session.

Messi pumped up for Bayern clash | FC Barcelona
"I’m really motivated by this game, for what it means and because we face a great team". It’s a team managed by Pep Guardiola of course, which gives an added edge, as does the memory of defeat to the Germans at this same stage two seasons ago, but Messi insisted: "it’s been a while since that game now and we are coming into it in a different situation - this will be a different tie. There can’t be a favourite at this stage of the competition, we are both two big teams. There’s pressure, but we are both obliged to win".

Lewandowski unfazed by injury | Football Espana
Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski says playing in a mask at the Camp Nou on Wednesday night will hold no fears for him. The Bundesliga giants take on Barcelona in a Champions League semi-final first leg clash, with the Poland international a doubt for the game having suffered a broken nose and jaw in the German Cup semi-final with Borussia Dortmund last weekend.

No ordinary game for Pep Guardiola | FC Barcelona
The man who was blaugrana coach for four seasons is now back in his current capacity of Bayern Munich coach. Guardiola asked for understanding given the magnitude of the match and its importance to him: "You have to understand that for me it is not a normal game. Barça was my home for 30 years but now I am Bayern coach and I am here for a game. It’s my job and I have to do it as well as possible."

Xabi Alonso admits it will be different playing at Camp Nou with Bayern | FC Barcelona
Both highlighted the qualities of the blaugranes and the importance of getting a valuable away goal in the first leg. Alonso, with extensive experience of playing at Barça’s famous ground thanks to his spells with Real Sociedad and Real Madrid, admitted that this time "it would be very different with Bayern." The Bayern goalkeeper and German international had plenty of praise for his countryman and opposite number Marc-André ter Stegen.

[Infographic] FC Barcelona v Bayern Munich: compare the stats | FC Barcelona
All the stats from both teams in all competitions this season

Memorable goals from FC Barcelona-Bayern | FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona and Bayern Munich will meet for the fifth time in European competition. Up until now, in the previous four ties the blaugranes have recorded memorable strikes such those from Òscar García and Iván De la Peña in the 1996 UEFA Cup semi-final.

Thiago: I would have stayed at Barcelona under Guardiola - Goal.com
Bayern Munich midfielder Thiago says that he would have stayed at Barcelona had Pep Guardiola remained at the club. Guardiola left Barcelona in the summer of 2012 to take a year-long sabbatical before taking charge of Bayern in June 2013 and prised Thiago to Munich within months of his arrival at the Allianz Arena.

[Note: Video courtesy of www.oulala.com]

Neymar in Brazil squad for Copa América | FC Barcelona
One of the most outstanding names on the list is that of blaugrana Neymar, one of several representatives from Spanish football included in the party of 23 players. Real Madrid’s Marcelo, Valencia’s Diego Alves and Atlético Madrid’s Miranda are also in the squad as are other well known names from other European clubs such as Felipe Luis, David Luiz, Thiago Silva and Coutinho.

Lionel Messi backs La Liga strike action against TV deal - ESPN FC
This new broadcast arrangement was widely welcomed as a chance to lessen the financial dominance of Real Madrid and Barcelona in Spanish football, however AFE is reported to be unhappy at not being involved in negotiations which lead to the deal, and especially that a guarantee of support for players does not appear anywhere in the new legislation.

6 May 2009: Iniesta’s winner at Stamford Bridge | FC Barcelona
After seeing off Real Madrid 2-6 in the Bernabeu to virtually clinch the league title the previous weekend, Barça’s morale was sky high for the trip to Stamford Bridge. The first leg had ended goalless at the Camp Nou and one goal in London would be enough to see Guardiola’s side through to the final in Rome, but it was Chelsea who took the lead when Essien fired home a bullet of a shot after just nine minutes.

Luis Suarez makes young cancer sufferer's day with emotional video surprise | Eurosport
Luis Suarez surprised a young fan who has been suffering with cancer this week. Mateo, from Uruguay, was told he would be taken to consult with a special doctor to help treat his illness. But he was amazed, and emotional, to discover that hiding behind a blank screen was in fact his idol, Suarez.

Solidarity and celebration at the Trobada de Penyes de Lleida Sud | FC Barcelona
The IX Lleida Sud Barça Supporters Clubs Meeting was held last Sunday in Lleida and was presided over by board member Pau Vilanova accompanied by the Director of the Social Commission, Jordi Durà and ex-first team player Pere Valentí Mora. Òscar Mauri, president of the Penya Barça Ciutat de Lleida hosted the event together with the president of the Federació de Penyes Barcelonistes de Lleida, Lluís Pérez and the city mayor, Àngel Ros.