When Pep Guardiola revisited his old stomping ground at the Nou Camp he was hoping to return to the Allianz Arena with the tie still in the balance and for 77 minutes all was going to plan for Guardiola and Bayern Munich.
However, a depleted Munich side missing the likes of Arjen Robben, Franck Ribery and David Alaba were undone by a Manuel Neuer mistake and a moment of magic from Lionel Messi. Neymar rounded off the scoring with a quick break as Bayern pressed for what could have been a vital away goal.
Luis Enrique will be confident heading into the game on Tuesday with Bayern’s attack hamstrung by the absences of Ribery and Robben and they don’t look like they have the firepower to overturn a three goal deficit. Instead, Barca may well go for the jugular with their 7-0 aggregate humiliation in the 2013 Champions League semi finals in mind.
With Luis Suarez, Neymar and Messi never really shackled by the Bayern back four they certainly have the firepower to win the game comfortably although having already won the Bundesliga, Bayern have the advantage of being able to rest the majority of their first team squad over the weekend whilst Barca host Real Sociedad in a must win game.
That extra rest and perhaps a certain element of complacency creeping in from the Catalan outfit may well mean that this match is a bit tighter than the first one was although it is still hard to see how Bayern will win, particularly with all of their injuries, but also their tactical naivety at times.
Bayern Munich v FC Barcelona Betting Tips
- Barcelona to win – It seems madness now to think that Enrique was on the verge of the sack after the first half of the season with his side much improved after Christmas. Messi has also picked up since then and Suarez has started firing on all cylinders. Their front three is the best in the world and even if they do concede they have the ability to outscore this Bayern side and you can back them to win at 13/5 with Ladbrokes.
- Barca to win 4-0 – This looks unlikely but if the Catalans get an early goal then the floodgates may well open and it would be sweet revenge for them if they were to equal the record aggregate semi final win against the side who demolished them two years ago. You can back a 4-0 win at 90/1 with BetVictor…and cross your fingers!
- Both teams to score – We can’t not see Barca scoring yet with a fully fit Robert Lewandowski, Bayern will pose more of a threat going forwards and if the Pole can finish one of the chances that he will be presented with then BTTS at 4/7 with Sky Bet looks like a good bet.
- Barcelona to be ahead at half time and full time – As we said, we think that the Blaugrana will blow Bayern away on Tuesday and you can back them to lead after half time and full time at 19/5 with BetVictor.