WATCH LIVE: Barcelona vs Bayern Munich pregame show

Projected FC Barcelona starting XI: Ter Stegen; Alba, Lenglet, Pique, Semedo; de Jong, Rakitic, Roberto; Suarez, Griezmann, Messi (C)

Projected Bayern Munich starting XI: Neuer (C); Davies, Alaba, Boateng, Kimmich; Thiago, Goretzka; Perisic, Muller, Gnabry; Lewandowski

Heavyweights FC Barcelona and Bayern Munich go head-to-head on Friday, August 14 (Saturday, August 15, 3 am, Philippine time) at the Estádio da Luz in Lisbon, Portugal for a slot in the UEFA Champions League final four.

Bookmark this page to catch the pregame show between the two giant clubs live for free 45 minutes before the match that also features special guest Matisse Thybulle, who plays for the Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA. 

Barcelona endured a rocky 2019-2020 season in the La Liga, finishing 2nd in the league with 82 points. After Barcelona lost 2-1 to Osasuna in July, handing the La Liga trophy to rivals Real Madrid, a frustrated Lionel Messi had strong words for the club, calling his side a “weak team who can be beaten with enough intensity and enthusiasm.”

The club also underwent a midseason managerial turnover from Ernesto Valverde to Quique Setien, while Antoine Griezmann failed to fully acclimate to Barcelona’s system after a €120 million move from Atletico Madrid. 

But Barça’s 3-1 victory over Napoli in the competition’s Round of 16 might be a sign that the Catalan side is righting the ship. Messi was at the forefront yet again after scoring a marvelous goal from the right flank that put his side two goals ahead. 

Luis Suarez remains one of the most well-rounded forwards in the world, tallying 20 goals and 12 assists across all competitions this season. He flanks Messi up top as the two look for service from the likes of Griezmann, Frenkie de Jong, and Ivan Rakitic. 

Barça fans also receive good news with pacy winger Ousmane Dembélé set to return from a debilitating leg muscle injury. He last featured for Barcelona in a 2-1 win against Leganes in November 2019. However, manager Setien expects to be careful in handling the Frenchman’s return, as he looks to play Dembélé for only a handful of minutes after such a lengthy absence.

Meanwhile, defender Samuel Umtiti remains out after going through another bout of knee problems. 

Bayern Munich last won Europe’s top club competition in 2013; since then, they’ve gone on to lose in the semifinals 4 times and the quarterfinals once. This year, judging by their absurdly excellent form, they look like the presumptive favorites in the competition.

Bayern hasn’t lost or drawn a game since February, culminating in their raising of the Bundesliga trophy for the 8th consecutive season after winning the league by a comfortable 13 points.

Like their Spanish opponents, Bayern went through a midseason managerial change. Hansi Flick replaced Niko Kovač in November 2019. Under Flick, Bayern rolled the opposition, having won 30 games out of 33.

The German side demolished Chelsea in the Round of 16, 7-1 on aggregate. Against the London-based club, talisman Robert Lewandowski scored his 65th and 66th goals in the Champions League, moving past Karim Benzema for fourth in the all-time scoring list. 

The 31-year-old Polish striker only seems to get better with age. There seems to be no stopping Lewandowski, who notched 53 goals in all competitions this past season. He led the Bundesliga in goals with 34 and he’s also the Champions League’s leading goal scorer with 13 in 7 games. 

First choice right-back Benjamin Pavard looks doubtful to return from a ligament injury he sustained in training. Midfielder Joshua Kimmich is the most likely to fill-in for Pavard should he remain unavailable.

In 2013 and 2015, the two clubs matched up in the semifinals. In both years, the club that’s gotten the upper hand over the other has gone on to win the entire competition. Will this be the case this season as well?

Even though Barcelona’s 2019-2020 season has been full of ups and downs, they have one of the greatest football players in Messi leading the way, which means that they are by no means an easy out. Barça players will also be extra motivated, as they are yet to win any trophies this season. 

Meanwhile, Lewandowski is on a goal-scoring binge, leading a Bayern side that’s aiming for the treble. This match is sure to be a barn burner, a must-watch fixture with plenty of star power and goal scoring threat, with no side in clear possession of the upper hand.

Due to the circumstances caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals feature a different look than in previous years.

The quarter and semifinals of the competition will be played in a single-leg tie in neutral grounds, unlike a home and away two-leg tie in previous years. – Jedd Pagaduan/Rappler.com