Tonight’s Champions League semi-final between Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich and La Liga champions-elect Barcelona is going to be a soccer clash for the ages.
Two technically gifted behemoths of the game go head-to-head later in what will surely be a blood and thunder encounter, with the winners reward being a place in the Champions League final at Wembley on May 25. Soccer games don’t come much bigger than this and the eyes of the world will be on this one, as well as those of club officials scouting the prospective wealth of talent on display.
But who has what it takes to be successful over the two legs? Will Barcelona’s blend of skill and technical wizardry ensure they are victoriou,s or will Munich’s mix of power and intelligence enable them to triumph?
For the first time in recent memory, Barcelona go into tonight’s game in the unfamiliar role of underdogs. According to manager Jupp Heynckes, this is the strongest team he has ever managed and the strongest Munich side ever to have graced the field.
High praise indeed, but not necessarily as misplaced as some may think.
It’s a testament to the German champions’ strength and quality all over the pitch that they have been able to steamroll every challenge in their path this year, and they will hope to carry that trend on this evening. With the greatest of respect, however, tonight’s opponents for Munich aren’t Frankfurt or Hamburg. Lying in wait, coiled and ready to strike are the Spanish pass masters Barcelona.
The Catalan giants have dominated the Champions League recently, winning it three times in eight years and have recently been ever-present in the latter stages. The trio of Pedro, Alexis Sanchez and Lionel Messi (should he pass a late fitness test) will provide the sternest test yet for Munich’s back line, and Heynckes will have to be at his organisational best to keep the door shut.
Munich have no new injury worries except Toni Kroos, who is out with a knee injury. Mario Mandzukic is suspended, so Mario Gomez will likely deputize for him.
Barcelona have the more pressing concerns with Messi; however, their real issues are in defense. Inexperienced youngster Marc Bartra will have to play at center back as Carlos Puyol, Javier Mascherano are injured and Adriano is suspended. This will be Bartra’s baptism of fire as he will be charged with stopping an attack that’s fired in 89 league goals this year.
This mouth-watering titanic showdown will be live on April 23 in the United States on Fox Soccer and in England on ITV.
James Hilton is a soccer writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter , Facebook or add him to your network on Google
