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Preview: Barcelona vs. Bayern Munich

Preview: Barcelona vs. Bayern Munich
© AP Photos
Sports Mole previews the second leg of the Champions League semi-final tie between Barcelona and Bayern Munich.

Barcelona will have to produce one of the all-time European comebacks against Bayern Munich on Wednesday if they are to advance to the final of the Champions League next month.

The German outfit secured a 4-0 win in the first leg last week, meaning that an away goal for Bayern would leave Barcelona needing to score six times at Camp Nou on May 1.

However, Barcelona will take heart from the last time they welcomed Bayern to this stadium in April 2009, with a double from Lionel Messi enough to secure a 4-0 win over their German opponents. That score this time around would take the semi-final clash into extra time.

There is no doubt, however, who enter the match in the stronger form. Barcelona have won just two of their last five matches in all competitions, but they are still 11 points clear at the top of La Liga with five matches remaining.

Bayern, meanwhile, have already secured the Bundesliga title this season, having won 27 of their 31 league matches, losing just once in the process. They will also contest the final of the German Cup against Stuttgart at the beginning of June.

Barcelona could welcome back skipper Carlos Puyol following a long-term absence, but should the Spaniard fail to recover, Alex Song could be drafted into defence alongside Gerard Pique with Javier Mascherano still out of action.

Messi is also certain to start in attack, but Cesc Fabregas and David Villa may once more have to be content with places on the bench.

Bayern, meanwhile, rested a host of players at the weekend, but all are expected to return for the trip to Spain. Mario Mandzukic could be handed the lone striker role in place of Mario Gomez, although the German did score in the first leg. Jerome Boateng is also expected to keep his place in defence, meanwhile, with Daniel van Buyten consigned to the bench.

Recent form:

Barcelona: DWWLD

Bayern: WWWWW

Possible lineups:

Barcelona: Valdes; Alves, Pique, Puyol, Alba; Busquets, Xavi, Iniesta; Sanchez, Messi, Pedro

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

Sports Mole says: 2-1


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Written by
Matt Law
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Barcelona's Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring in his side's match with Valencia on February 3, 2013
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Real Madrid19134243192443
2Atletico MadridAtletico18125133122141
3Barcelona19122551222938
4Athletic Bilbao19106329171236
5Villarreal188643430430
6Mallorca199371921-230
7Real Sociedad187471613325
8GironaGirona197472725225
9Rayo Vallecano196762222025
10Real BetisBetis196752123-225
11Osasuna186752327-425
12Celta Vigo197392830-224
13Sevilla196582128-723
14Las PalmasLas Palmas186482327-422
15Leganes194781829-1119
16AlavesAlaves194592131-1017
17Getafe183781115-416
18Espanyol1944111731-1416
19Valencia1927101829-1113
20Real ValladolidValladolid1933121337-2412


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