Luis Suarez (2ndL) has 16 goals and 13 assists in 26 La Liga matches. (Getty)
Pep Guardiola will lead Bayern Munich into the Camp Nou on Wednesday as the German side will take on Barcelona — his former team — in the first leg of the Champions League semifinals on Wednesday night. Real Madrid and Juventus clash in the other semifinal.
Bayern has scored 30 goals in 10 matches this season, the most in the competition. Bayern Munich is in the semifinals for an incredible fifth time in six seasons.
Bayern is coming off a trying week, losing just its third league game of the season after falling in the German Cup semifinals on penalties, ruining the possibility of a second treble in three seasons.
Barcelona’s hopes for a treble are still alive as they reached the Copa del Rey final and lead La Liga by two points with three matches to play.
Here’s what you need to know about the match:
The Basics
Who:
What:
UEFA Champions League semifinal, first leg
When:
Wednesday, May 6
Where:
Camp Nou in Barcelona, Spain
Time:
2:45 PM Eastern Daylight Time
Channel:
(International viewers, click here for your local provider)
Odds:
Barcelona -165, Bayern Munich +450, Draw +300
Scouting Barcelona
Champions League Record: 9-1
Coach: Luis Enrique, first season
Goals Per Game: 2.3
Clean Sheets: 5
Leading Goal Scorer: Lionel Messi, 8
Assist Leader: Lionel Messi, 4
Card Leader: Rafinha, 2 yellow cards, 1 red card
Scouting Bayern Munich
Record: 7-2-1
Coach: Pep Guardiola, second season
Goals Per Game: 3
Clean Sheets: 6
Leading Goal Scorer: Thomas Muller, 6
Assist Leader: Thomas Muller/Robert Lewandowski, 3
Card Leader: Xabi Alonso, 3 yellow cards, 1 red card
Heavy’s Pick
Barcelona 3, Bayern Munich 2
Both sides are more comfortable going forward than defending, and that should ring true in this series. While Messi, Suarez and company will have a dominant stretch in the match, a few away goals will keep Bayern in the tie heading back to Munich for the second leg next week.