Pep Guardiola returns to the club at which he cemented his status as one of the greatest managers in footballing history on Wednesday -- albeit now in charge of the opposition. His Bayern Munich side go head-to-head with Luis Enrique’s Barcelona, charged with the formidable task of keeping the best attack in world football quiet. It’s not going to be easy, but if anyone’s going to do it, it’s Bayern.
Barcelona vs. Bayern Munich, Champions League 2015: Start time, TV schedule and team news
Will Pep Guardiola’s return to Barcelona be a happy one?
These teams are almost certainly the two best on the planet at the moment, and it’s going to be an absolutely gripping encounter. When these sides met a couple of seasons ago, Bayern blitzed Barça 7-0 on aggregate. That’s not going to happen again. The Spanish champions-elect are back to looking something like their devastating best, and the Germans are going to have to work much harder if they’re to make it to the final.
Key player - Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
Lionel Messi is a man who needs no introduction. He’s the best player in the best attack on the planet. If Bayern make any lapses in defence -- as they have done on multiple occasions throughout the season -- they’re going to be punished.
Key matchup - The pressing war
One of the defining features of both of these sides is their intense pressing when out of possession. It usually allows both teams to dominate possession against teams that look to sit deep and counter. It’ll be fascinating to see how they cope at a team trying to beat them at their own game. As odd as it sounds, this game could be won without the ball.
Barcelona injuries and suspensions
Out: None. In doubt: Jeremy Mathieu (ankle).
Bayern Munich injuries and suspensions
Out: Arjen Robben (calf), Franck Ribéry, Tom Starke (ankle), David Alaba (knee), Sebastian Rode (hamstring), Holger Badstuber (thigh). In doubt: Robert Lewandowski (concussion, face)
Match Date/Time: Wednesday, 2:45 p.m. ET, 8:45 p.m. local
Venue: Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain
TV: Fox Sports 1 (U.S. - English), Fox Deportes (U.S.), Sportsnet World (Canada), Sky Sports 1/HD (U.K.), Movistar TV Fútbol, C+ Liga de Campeones / HD (Spain), ZDF, Sky Sport 1/HD (Germany)
Online: Fox Soccer 2Go, Fox Sports GO (U.S.), Sportsnet World Now (Canada), Sky Go (U.K.), Sky Go Deutschland (Germany)
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