'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The draw for the semi-finals of the 2014/15 UEFA Champions League has thrown up two reunions as Barcelona take on Bayern Munich and Juventus take on Real Madrid. It is a draw that pits together the highest goal scorers in this year's competition against each other as Pep Guardiola takes his Bayern side back to the club where he made his name. The other semi-final sees Carlo Ancelotti go back to the club where he had the least successful spell of his managerial career.
Will it be another clasico in the final? Can Real reach the final and defend their title or will Juventus be the party poopers and reach their first final in over a decade? Will the Catalans avenge their semi-final defeat to the Bavarians in 2013 or will it be a happy homecoming for Guardiola? Where will the ties be won and lost and who will progress to the final?
Barcelona vs Bayern Munich
After a 3-1 loss to Porto in the first leg, not many were expecting Bayern Munich to win the tournament, let alone go through. But a comprehensive demolition in the home leg, coupled with the fact that they are playing the second leg at home, means that they are now slight favourites against Barcelona who have beaten Bayern just once in Europe.
Despite beating Porto convincingly, Bayern's chances once again hinge on the fitness of Arjen Robben, David Alaba and Franck Ribery. If they have a fully fit squad to call upon, they have enough to overpower a front three that has scored 95 goals this season. But injuries, especially on the defensive end, will be key to their chances.
Although both sides have good defensive records, neither are particularly great at defending. So, a lot will rest on which defence makes the fewest mistakes and whether Barca's front three can continue pressing from the front – a tactic that paid rich rewards against PSG in the quarter-final.
If the German champions can score an away goal and come back to Munich level or just a goal down, they will be favourites to go through. And despite the Catalans’ excellent goal scoring record, they might struggle against, not just the best goalkeeper in the world, but also a side that can exploit their defensive weaknesses.
Prediction: A home win for Barcelona in the first leg, but Bayern to win by more goals at home to go through.
Aggregate Score Prediction: Barcelona 3-4 Bayern Munich
Juventus vs Real Madrid
If the other semi-final is two sides who like to keep possession and attack, the clash between the reigning European and Italian champions is of two contrasting styles. While Real have the best attack in Europe, Juventus have the second-best defensive record and it will be a case of which comes out on top in a repeat of the 2003 Champions League semi-final which the Bianconeri won 4-3.
This semi-final is unlikely to have as many goals as that and will be decided on Juventus' ability to defend resolutely and trying to nick a goal on the break. However, Raphael Varane's pace at the back might prove to be a problem for the Old Lady's attackers, who rely on breezing past defenders to score.
Much will also depend on whether Paul Pogba is back in time for the first leg. If he isn't, a lot will depend on Andrea Pirlo. Even at 35, Pirlo is more than capable of unlocking a defence and Juve boss Massimiliano Allegri will count on him to provide the telling pass as they look to end Real Madrid's chances of retaining their title.
Ancelotti might feel that he has enough to break down a Juventus backline that isn't particularly quick. While Monaco failed to exploit that regularly, don't expect the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale to make the same mistake. Although the odds are stacked against the Bianconeri, the same was the case 12 years ago and we all know what happened then.
Prediction: Real Madrid to secure a crucial away draw before winning the home leg and reaching their second successive final.
Aggregate Score Prediction: Juventus 1-2 Real Madrid
