Bayern Munich, going to host Barcelona at the first leg of UEFA Champions League first semifinal tonight.

         

              
                  Four times European champion & last year’s finalist German giant Bayern Munich is going to face currently the most successful team of the Europe, the another four times European champion, Spanish giant Barcelona in their first leg encounter of UEFA Champions League first semifinal at their home Allianz Arena tonight.

          Eventually both the teams have already won their domestic league crowns with few matches to remain in their hand.

            Bayern already won the domestic Bundesliga title, reached in the final of German Cup, hammering Wolfsfurg by 6-1 margin, currently on their way to reach their third Champions League final is last four years. Right now the Bavarians are standing from the handshaking distance of achieving the triple-crown in a same year.

            Bayern coach Jump Henckeys dropped a hint for today’s

match by incoroporatiing both strikers Mario Gomez & Claudio Pizarro into a 4-4-2 formation, rather than Bayern’s usual 4-2-3-1 formation.

              In the other hand the Catalan giants included injured Lionel Messi in their probable line-up so if he is in the match, it

will be up to the defence to prevent Messi from getting touches, especially around the box. This is easier said than done, but Bayern Munich has the ability to focus on the talented player by keeping its defenders back.

           Obviously, Cesc Fabregas, David Villa, Pedro and others are more than capable of scoring goals if left open. However,

they contribute at a much lower rate and are better when playing off of Messi.

             It is going to be a very tight tie,’ assistant coach Roura told reporters as he stood in for Tito Vilanova at the pre-match press conference.

            'It will probably come down to nuances. The side who manages to impose themselves the most on the game will have the best chance. We know how good Bayern are, and we know it's going to be hard not only tomorrow, but in the tie overall.'

              Bayern Munich have good record against Barcelona in European competition, winning three, drawing two, and losing

one in their six previous meetings. However, Barcelona thrashed Bayern Munich on 5-1 aggregate in the quarter-final in 2009. Blaugrana's overall record against the Bundesliga is - nine wins, 10 draws and five losts.

              Whatever will happen both the side will have another chance in the second when they will clash at Camp-de-Nou in the return leg but obviously it’s going to be one of the most exciting night of European football tonight.

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