Barcelona will take on reigning Bundesliga Champion Bayern Munich to fill the spot for the semifinal in the QF Clash of UEFA Champions League 2019-20.
Team preview
Barcelona is appearing in its 13th successive Champions League quarter-final and eyeing for the first European Cup since 2015. After losing the La Liga title to Real Madrid this year, the Catalan giants defeated Serie A club Napoli 3-1 at Camp Nou in the Round of 16, thanks Clement Lenglet, Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez’s strikes and make it to top eight with 4-2 aggregate success. In last season, the Spanish outfit finished in the top four before losing to Liverpool. Quique Setien's side has lost just two games out of their last 31 Champions League games and had an advantage over German club, remaining unbeaten in the last six outings. Barcelona’s head to head record against Bayern is surprisingly poor, winning only two of 10 previous encounters. The Catalan team’s recent form can give them confidence as they won five of their last six matches in all competitions.
Meanwhile, Bayern is marching towards the final eight after a 7-1 aggregate victory over Chelsea. In the second leg, they defeated FA Cup runner-up 4-1 at home. Lewandowski has been outstanding for the German Champions throughout the season, scoring 53 goals in 44 appearances in all competitions including 13 in Champions League. Bayern has won all eight matches in Champions League fixtures and is also unbeaten in their last 13 games outside Munich. After winning the 8th successive Bundesliga title, Der FCB is still waiting for the Champions League title which came previously in 2013. Bayern has lost five of their last six knockout matches with Spanish sides but they had an upper hand over Barcelona whom they defeated in 2015.
Team News & Lineups
Barcelona
Barcelona will be without Samuel Umtiti but get Ousmane Dembele back in the squad. Midfielders Sergio Busquets and Arturo Vidal will also be back from the suspension.
Lineup: Ter Stegen; Semedo, Pique, Lenglet, Alba; Roberto, Busquets, Vidal, De Jong; Suarez, Messi
Champions League form: W W W L W W
Bayern Munich
Kingsley Coman is expected to be available despite a muscular problem. Benjamin Pavard will miss due to ankle injury. Alphonso Davies si fully fit and should start for Bayern.
Lineup: Neuer; Kimmich, Boateng, Alaba, Davies; Thiago, Goretzka; Coman, Muller, Gnabry; Lewandowski
Champions League form: W W W W W W
Key Players
Barcelona
Luis Suarez (forward): 4 goals
Lionel Messi (forward): 3 goals
Antoine Griezmann (forward): 2 goals
Bayern Munich
Robert Lewandowski (forward): 13 goals
Serge Gnabry (midfield): 6 goals
Corentin Tolisso (midfield): 3 goals
