FC Barcelona v FC Bayern München Q/Final 1st leg

redout

All the facts and figures ahead of Barcelona's Champions League quarter-final clash with Bayern Munich at the Camp Nou.

Barcelona and Bayern are the joint top scorers in the competition with 24 goals apiece.

Miroslav Klose is the competition joint top scorer with seven goals.
The German side have won three and drawn one of their four games against Barcelona in Europe and tasted victory on both visits to Spain.

Bayern have lost only two of their last 18 matches in the Champions League and only one of the last nine on the road.

Bayern have only won one and lost five of the last seven Champions League matches against Spanish opposition.

Barcelona have only kept one clean sheet in their last nine Champions League matches.

Barcelona have won 10 and drawn one of their last 11 Champions League matches against German opposition.

Barcelona's midfielder Xavi has supplied the most assists so far in the competition, five.

Of the teams remaining in the competition, Bayern have scored the most headed goals, four.

The Catalans have scored the most goals from outside the box in the competition, five.

Bayern have scored the most first half goals, 11, whereas Barcelona have scored the most in the second 45 minutes, 14.


Lucio, Van Buyten both missing in defence tonight as is top scorer Klose up front spells trouble for Bayern. 19 year old Brazilian Breno is expected to partner Demichelis which could be a big ask. Barca have no injuries to worry about. Ribery and Messi on show tonight which could make this a magnificent contest.

redout

Barcelona v Bayern Munich

Uefa Champions League, Quarter-final first leg
Venue: Nou Camp Date: Wednesday, 8 April Kick-off: 1945 GMT
Coverage: BBC Radio 5 Live updates with live text commentary on the BBC Sport website. Also live on Sky Sports Xtra



Barcelona duo Yaya Toure and Alexander Hleb are fit again after missing their win at Real Valladolid on Saturday but Eric Abidal and Gaby Milito remain out.

Lionel Messi and Daniel Alves, restricted to substitute appearances on Saturday, should start against Bayern.

Bayern have only two fit central defenders including 19-year-old Breno.

Lucio (groin) is out, Daniel van Buyten has returned to Belgium on a private matter, while striker Miroslav Klose (ankle) is also sidelined.

Bayern Munich boss Jurgen Klinsmann has been forced to call upon reserve-team youngster Holger Badstuber, 20, to make up the defensive numbers alongside Martin Demichelis and Breno.

Klinsmann told BBC Sport he was aware Barcelona were a "huge obstacle" that stands between his side and a place in the last four.

"We need a good result in Barcelona but then we will take them back to the Allianz Arena where there will be 70,000," he said.

"We want to see what level we are at but we go into the matches with a have a lot of confidence.

"This is a huge obstacle to winning the Champions League, but anything is possible."

The German side have won three and drawn one of their four games against Barcelona in Europe and have come out victorious on both of their previous visits to Spain.

The two sides go into the game in contrasting form, Barcelona recorded a 1-0 win over Real Valladolid after a strike from Samuel Eto'o, while Bayern went down 5-1 to Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga.

Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola believes it is a bad time to play Bayern.

"League form has nothing to do with the Champions League, but in my opinion it is the worst possible result for us," Guardiola said.

"Bayern have won the European Cup four times and have won their domestic league many times, and it is now sure they will arrive with even greater motivation."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/7986695.stm

Tom65

I think with half their defence gone, and Klose out, Bayern could have big problems in the Nou Camp. With two full strength teams I think it'd be close, but with the injuries Bayern have, I'd go 2-0 to Barca.

Kevster

I agree - I think that Barcelona are going to play Bayern right off the field. I know that Bayern slaughtered Sporting 12-1 in the previous round, but this is entirely different and there's been a relatively long period of time since then. Plus, Bayern aren't doing that great in the Bundesliga.

Seaneh

I honesntly think Bayerns height will cause serious problems for Barce's Defense.

Time and time again Pouyol has proved that he can't handle taller players and besides Marquez, who they play in midfeild more often than centre back, they aren't blessed with anyone who can dominate in the air.

Barce are favourites obviously, but Bayern aren't going to roll over.

redout

Seaneh wrote: »

I honesntly think Bayerns height will cause serious problems for Barce's Defense.

Time and time again Pouyol has proved that he can't handle taller players and besides Marquez, who they play in midfeild more often than centre back, they aren't blessed with anyone who can dominate in the air.

I get what your saying man but Bayern are mssing two CBs so they will have their own problems and Klose who is a big aerial threat is out injured.

Seaneh

True, but Dimechalies is a good CB (better DMF but good CB) and the young brazilian has done ok this year when he's played.

Klose is the biggest lose but they have Luca Toni back from injury/suspension (cant remember which it was) and Podolski is also good in the air.

gimmick

I think Barca to win tonight, but only 2-1. I reckon Bayern will score.

Hoping for a cracker anyway.

_blank_

Is this game on Setanta Ireland?

Hopefully, otherwise I'm stuck with a chess tournament.

Pro. F

Yup, it is.

redout

Des wrote: »

Is this game on Setanta Ireland?

Hopefully, otherwise I'm stuck with a chess tournament.

Aye brother, Live: Barcelona v Bayern Munich
Available in Ireland only. Live UEFA Champions League action from Camp Nou as Barcelona take on Bayern Munich. K.O. 7:45pm.

DubDani

Bayern will be without Lahm as well now. Will be hard for them without 3 of their main defenders.

redout

Jesus are you serious ?

I dont give them a hope with three of their back four missing.

Damage control.

Tusky

Does anyone else think Bayern are really over rated ? They are 4th in the Bundes Ligas at the moment. They have some great players, but I think they are anywhere near as good as the top teams from England, Italy or Spain.

redout

Tusky wrote: »

Does anyone else think Bayern are really over rated ? They are 4th in the Bundes Ligas at the moment. They have some great players, but I think they are anywhere near as good as the top teams from England, Italy or Spain.

They are a team with some top players capable of beating any of europe's elite on their day. Thats how I sum them up.

redout

More team news just in is that Butt will be in goal instead of usual no.1 Rensing. No idea as to why as nothing mentioned about injury.

PHB

Tusky wrote: »

Does anyone else think Bayern are really over rated ? They are 4th in the Bundes Ligas at the moment. They have some great players, but I think they are anywhere near as good as the top teams from England, Italy or Spain.

I think that. I think Barca though, of the best teams, are worst suited to playing them in terms of style. That said, I think Barca will win this tie with relative easy personally, probably by outscoring.

Because I said that Bayern will now show me whats what ... :P

Pepe LeFrits

I think the people's dark horse will get a jolt tonight. They'll get an away goal though.

I wish I had Setanta Ireland

redout

redout

Bayern defence looks too weak especially if up against Xavi, Iniesta, Eto'o, Messi and Henry. Three first choice defenders and the first choice keeper absent for Bayern alongwith top goalscorer Klose. I can only see this going one way. If Barca cant beat this side then they have a serious problem. Hope Ribery puts in a good one.

redout

Haha.........

Giles knows his Messi.

eZe^

Seaneh wrote: »

I honesntly think Bayerns height will cause serious problems for Barce's Defense.

Time and time again Pouyol has proved that he can't handle taller players and besides Marquez, who they play in midfeild more often than centre back, they aren't blessed with anyone who can dominate in the air.

Barce are favourites obviously, but Bayern aren't going to roll over.

Lol, have you seen Barca in 4 years? Marquez has played in the midfield once since 2005.... Also, Pique is playing at CB, who is quite tall. Barca's defense can deal with height, they can't deal with fast and incisive runners.

Vokes

Is Pique playing LB, or Puyol?


/EDIT

Puyol apparently. Will be interesting to see how he handles Schweinsteiger.

/2nd EDIT

Wrong Altintop playing wide right.

redout

Messi

1 - 0

redout

Eto'o

2 - 0

Vokes

Bayern could be in for a hammering here.

Xavi6

Feckers ruining my multi bet.

Who got the assists?

Vokes

E'too and Messi assisted each other.

Messi probably should have had a penalty just there.

Tom65

Should've been a penalty.


Jaysus, Barca could be 3 or 4 up already.

Vokes

Pep sent to the stands!

_blank_

good match this.

good jaysis, Henry really did a number on the keeper didn't he?

Tom65

Des wrote: »

good match this.

good jaysis, Henry really did a number on the keeper didn't he?

It'd be even if Bayern had turned up, but Barca are just amazing to watch. Though Ribery has still managed to look impressive.

JPA

That booking for Messi was ridiculous.

juvenal

Xavi6 wrote: »

Feckers ruining my multi bet.

Who got the assists?

Thought it was your namesake for the first and Messi for the second. Although BBC live text says it was Et'o for the first and Messi then returned the favour.

redout

3 - 0

Messi again

Bring on Pool

_blank_

three nil now, Henry doing very well, Messi.

Vokes

3-0 Messi

Classic-Henry putting on the afterburners there.

_blank_

redout wrote: »

3 - 0

Messi again

Bring on Pool Chelsea

one apiece in Anfield

Tom65

Fuppin' heck.

What would've happened of Barca were playing Sporting?


Also, is this Barca playing well, Bayern playing badly, or both?

Dave!

Job done Barca...

theteal

Tom65 wrote: »

Fuppin' heck.

What would've happened of Barca were playing Sporting?


Also, is this Barca playing well, Bayern playing badly, or both?

if bayern can get a touch of the ball we'll let you know how they're playing

Mr.Nice Guy

Game over already. Wow.

_blank_

Four nil

Terry Henry in on the act.

eZe^

4-0!!!!! HENRYYYYYYYYYYYYYY... Fcuk me why would anybody support any other team??? ;)

Vokes

Tom65 wrote:

Also, is this Barca playing well, Bayern playing badly, or both?

To be fair they are missing 3 key players - Lucio, Lahm and Klose.

The defenders are definitely a big loss. And Breno looks way out of his depth. While Demichelis is normally playing DM I think.

Dave!

Jayzus Bayern gonna find out how Lisbon felt in the last round...

Leo Messi took an elbow in the face there

Tom65

Definite intentional elbow on Messi. He did a job on him.


My thoughts so far is that this is Barca giving what's probably the finest performance I've seen in the Champions League since Man Utd vs Roma. This could get much, much worse for Bayern.

eZe^

The worst thing is Van Bommel was a Barca player I really loved, he lived and died for the shirt, and even gave a 'fu*k you' salute to Real Madrid when he scored against them for Bayern in the CL. Scummy thing to do...

juvenal

4-0 Barca

Vokes

Great game so far. Should be more goals to come. Its like watching someone punch a kitten square in the face over and over ... :pac:

PHB

How Webb booked Messi for a dive there I'll never know. Shocking decision.

4-0 is almost flattering Bayern, Barca are just slicing through them like butter. Shocking defending really, but that can take nothing away from Barca's attack, which is just outstanding, outstanding.