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Jean-Marie Pfaff: 'Barcelona over-reliant on Lionel Messi'

Former Bayern Munich goalkeeper Jean-Marie Pfaff claims that Barcelona rely too much on Lionel Messi's performances.

Former Bayern Munich goalkeeper Jean-Marie Pfaff has claimed that Barcelona rely too much on Lionel Messi's performances and believes that his former side will edge it in the two Champions League semi-final legs.

Pfaff, who made over 150 appearances for the German side during the 1980s, thinks the current Bundesliga champions have what it takes to reach the final.

The former Belgian shot-stopper believes that if the Argentine's performance drops then so does half the squad's, making Bayern stronger collectively.

"Barcelona are a great team but I believe Bayern Munich are much stronger collectively," Pfaff said, according to Goal.com.

"If Messi doesn't have a good day, half of the Barcelona team isn't good. The striker can be good but if the last pass doesn't come it's difficult.

"I think the whole team of Bayern Munich, from the goalkeeper to any other player can combine very well."

Pep Guardiola will travel to Camp Nou to face his former side in the first leg of the semi-finals on May 6, after Bayern were drawn alongside Barca on Friday afternoon.

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Bayern Munich's Spanish head coach Pep Guardiola (L) looks on during the UEFA Champions League semifinal first leg football match Real Madrid CF vs FC Bayern Munchen at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on April 23, 2014
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona13110240122833
2Real Madrid1283125111427
3Atletico MadridAtletico137511971226
4Villarreal127322319424
5Osasuna136341720-321
6Athletic Bilbao135531913620
7Real BetisBetis135531412220
8Real Sociedad135351110118
9Mallorca135351010018
10GironaGirona135351617-118
11Celta Vigo135262022-217
12Rayo Vallecano124441313016
13Sevilla134361218-615
14Leganes133551316-314
15AlavesAlaves134181422-813
16Las PalmasLas Palmas133371622-612
17Getafe13175811-310
18Espanyol123181122-1110
19Real ValladolidValladolid132381025-159
20Valencia11146817-97


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