Four-time Champions League winners Barcelona will take on German champions Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League 2013 semi-final first leg after conceding 4-0 lost in their earlier meeting.
The game will be played at Barcelona home ground - Camp Nou - and will be telecast live on Ten Action at 12:15 AM (Thursday) IST (19:45 BST).
Overview:
Bayern Munich have emerged as the favourite to enter the Champions League final for the third time in four years after thrashing Barcelona by four goals in the first leg of the semi-final at the Allianz Arena last week. Thomas Muller struck twice while Mario Gomez and Arjen Robben scored a goal each.
Jupp Heynckes' side's performance this season has been impressive. They won the Bundlesiga crown in record time before entering the Champions League second semi-final with eight wins, one draw and two lost. Having beaten the Catalan giants 4-0 in their earlier meeting, they will be keen to win the second semi-finals too and meet their German counterparts Borussia Dortmund at Wembley later this month.
Barcelona's route to the Champions League semi-final was not very impressive. They won five games, drew three and lost three on their way to the last four. They received a shocking 4-0 defeat in the first semi-final to Bayern Munich. The Catalans need to win with a huge margin on Wednesday night to find a way to the final.
Previous Meetings:
Bayern Munich have good record against Barcelona in European competition, winning four, drawing two, and losing one in their last seven meetings. Munich beat Barcelona 4-0 in their earlier semi-final match. Blaugrana's overall record against the Bundesliga is - nine wins, 10 draws and six lost.
Team News:
FC Barcelona: Lionel Messi returned to the team in the first semi-final after recovering from a hamstring injury but he looked far from fit. He will be expected to give a magical show on Wednesday and give his team the greatest comeback of all time.
Defender Adriano, who has completed serving one-match ban, will return to the team but Javier Mascherano and Carles Puyol may not play on Wednesday night. Jordi Alba will also end up warming the bench as he has been suspended.
Bayern Munich: Mario Mandzukic, who missed the semi-final first leg through suspension, is expected to return to the team but midfielder Toni Kroos has been ruled out due to a thigh injury.
With an eye on the final at Wembley, Jupp Heynckes has said that he would rest Javi Martinez, Mario Gomez, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Luiz Gustavo, Dante and Philipp Lahm on Wednesday night, as they will miss the next game if they are booked.
Prediction:
Barcelona have very good record at home this season, losing just once in 26 home games. They are expected to turn around and beat Bayern Munich in the second semi-final match but not big enough to take them to the final at Wembley.
Probable Line-Ups:
Barcelona: Victor Valdes; Adriano, Marc Bartra, Gerard Pique, Dani Alves; Sergio Busquets, Andres Iniesta, Xavi Hernandez (c); David Villa, Lionel Messi, Pedro Rodríguez
Bayern Munich: Manuel Neuer; Philipp Lahm (c), Daniel van Buyten, Dante, David Alaba; Thomas Mueller, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Javi Martinez, Franck Ribery; Mario Gomez, Claudio Pizarro
