Goals decide games and there is no doubt that the Bayern Munich vs. Barcelona semifinal will feature some of the best goal scorers in the game.

But which side has the better midfield and attackers?

Barcelona

The midfield of Luis Enrique's side is filled with a plethora of riches that will allow the manager an endless number of options ahead of the tie.

Right now, Sergio Busquets, Ivan Rakitic and Andres Iniesta look to be the starting trio and each brings a strong skill set. Busquets is the quintessential defending midfielder, excellent at making short passes and retrieving the ball from opposition. Iniesta is a creative playmaker capable of making brilliant runs at opposing defenses and dazzling with his dribbling.

Rakitic is a solid all-around defender who can score from long range and create goals. But what is interesting about this midfield is that Enrique has a tough choice between the seasoned Xavi and Rakitic. While the Croatian is the choice, the Spaniard is actually having a better season from a passing perspective. Xavi averages more key passes per game, thus facilitating the offense more often. He dribbles more often than Rakitic, is dispossessed less often and makes poor touches less often. He is averaging more passes per game and connecting on more passes as well. He makes more crosses and long balls and even attempts more through balls per game.

The only thing Xavi doesn't have is the stamina of Rakitic, mainly due to age. But the numbers indicate that Xavi is the more productive option overall.

Offensively there is no doubt who is playing and why. Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez are undoubtedly the best attacking trio in the world with a whopping 71 goals and 35 assists in the domestic league between the three of them. This group is unstoppable at the moment and could be the difference in this tightest of ties.

Bayern Munich

While Barcelona has options, Bayern Munich is running out of them. Arjen Robben's return seemed imminent but then he endured yet another injury in German's Cup semifinal. And the reason he made a premature return was because Thiago Alcantara, who has been the team's MVP in recent weeks, also received an injury. And to add insult to injury, the team's forward Robert Lewandowski also suffered a concussion that will likely keep him out of the game.

Other injuries for the team include Franck Ribery and Javi Martinez (who could play in the midfield and attack).

With its top players the Bayern midfield and attack has the following players : Xabi Alonso, Phillipp Lahm, Arjen Robben, Mario Goetze, Thiago Alcantara, Thomas Mueller, Lewandowski. And that could also include Ribery and Bastian Schweinsteiger coming off the bench.

With the current crop of injuries, the midfield will likely showcase the following: Alonso, Lahm, Goetze, Mueller, Juan Bernat, Mitchell Weiser, Schweinstieger and Claudio Pizarro (who played up top, out of his normal position).

If this writer were Barcelona, this writer would look at that second group and be thrilled at the prospects. Two years ago, Blaugrana entered the match-up against Bayern in poor form and with an injury to Messi. Now, the tables have turned in a rather excruciating twist of fate for Bayern.

By the Numbers

Munich has averaged 17.9 shots per game in the UCL while Barcelona has averaged 15.5. The Bavarian side also manages to get more shots on target (7.8-6.4 per game). Bayern has also been the better possession side which could indicate that Pep Guardiola's team might have more of the ball in this match. That said, Barcelona has a slight edge in pass success percentage (89.3-88.3). Neither team has been great in the air in this competition, but Bayern holds the edge (12.4-9.5).

But Barcelona is a far superior team when it comes to dribbling with 19.1 dribbles per game compared to Bayern's 10.5 per game. This could be key, especially if Blaugrana elects to attack on the counter.

Edge 

With Bayern's battered offense this one is very easy to pick. Barcelona always had a slight edge thanks to its MSN attacking trio, but with Bayern missing Lewandowski, Robben, Thiago and even Ribery, this is not even close.