Barcelona vs. Bayern Munich Champions League 2014-15 Semifinals Preview, Predictions: Can Bayern Pull Off 4-0 Miracle?
Can Bayern pull off another miracle?
The German club has entered both previous ties at home in the knockout rounds of the Champions League with unfavorable situations. In the first round against Shakhtar Donetsk, the team was tied at 0-0. In the quarterfinals, Porto was up 3-1 heading to the Allianz Arena.
And both times Pep Guardiola's troops responded with crushing performances -- a 7-0 thrashing of the Ukrainian club and a 6-1 win over Porto.
But now the club has to achieve a feat that seems almost unattainable.
Barcelona has a 3-0 lead in the battle after winning on home turf in the final quarter-hour of the first game.
Guardiola and his players have expressed sentiments that a 4-0 win at home is not out of the question. But this has all the makings of the 7-0 thrashing Bayern Munich put on Barcelona in 2012-13 when the German champs won the treble.
Now the shoe is on the other foot with Barcelona looking like favorites for every conceivable title.
So can Bayern pull off the 4-0?
Not with the way Barcelona has played this year.
For all the naysayers complaining about the Catalan club's "weak" defense, there is little that actually supports it. Barcelona has not conceded more than three goals in the entire season and is currently on a tremendous seven-game shutout streak dating back to April 15 when the club conceded a goal against Paris Saint-Germain. Three goals against have come from time to time, but the team has been shutout just four times all year long; expecting another shutout is highly unlikely, as are four goals against, something that has yet to happen this season.
Everyone knows that Bayern is capable of pulling off the feat, but Guardiola's troops will have to be aggressive, likely forcing the manager into employing a high defensive line, something that Barcelona repeatedly exploited in Game 1 and managed to score on a few times. If Bayern goes on the attack without much support on defense, that 7-0 reversal could become a great reality.
Moreover, everyone remembers what happened to Bayern at this stage last season and in this stadium. Heading into the second leg against Real Madrid down 1-0, many thought the German side had a chance to reverse the score at home. Instead, four goals rained into its goal with three coming before the first half was through. How did Madrid accomplish the feat? Via the counter attack, something that this Barcelona is more than capable of capitalizing on.
It will be a tough game for Bayern, but could provide major highlights for spectators.
Prediction - Barcelona exploits the defense and puts together a tremendous 4-1 win against Bayern, thus cementing a 7-1 aggregate win and wiping away the shame of two years ago.
The game will be start at 2:45 p.m. EST and will be available for viewers to stream via subscription on Fox Soccer 2 Go. Other cable subscribers will be able to catch the action live on Fox Sports 1 USA or even Fox Deportes.