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Barcelona vs. Bayern Munich: 3 Key Battles to Watch

Reuters

theScore’s Gordon Brunt, Carlo Campo and Gianluca Nesci examine the key matchups that will play a significant role in determining who emerges victorious from the first leg of the semi-final clash between Barcelona and Bayern Munich.

Thomas Muller vs. Gerard Pique

Gord Brunt: Bayern Munich continue to possess one of the most lethal strike forces in the world, despite being decimated by injuries. While numerous key components will miss the encounter at the Camp Nou, two of the German club's top scorers will ask questions of the Barcelona back line.

Thomas Muller could see his responsibilities up front increased with the facial injuries to Robert Lewandowski possibly forcing the Polish international to play in a supporting role, if he's able to start.

Even though Muller and the Bayern attack erupted for seven goal against FC Porto, Wednesday's assignment will be monumentally difficult against a Barca defense enjoying a nice run of clean sheets.

The Bayern back line might struggle to keep their five-match scoreless streak alive, but the presence of Gerard Pique, coupled with a stubborn group of defenders, will continue to give the Catalan team a chance to come out victorious when the final whistle is blown.

Expect Pique to cancel out Muller's aerial threat and force him to beat him with his feet, a skill the German forward is entirely capable executing and giving his opponents headaches.

Neymar vs. Rafinha

Carlo Campo: Rafinha and Neymar are set for an all-Brazilian, Capoeira-style showdown on the flanks.

Of course, it can be tough establishing how Bayern Munich will take the pitch given Pep Guardiola's always-evolving tactics, particularly at the back. But if recent fixtures are anything to go by, it will likely be Rafinha who finds himself with the unenviable task of containing his Brazilian counterpart.

Rafinha is often regarded as an attack-minded defender, a player who keeps the legacy of the attacking Brazilian full-back alive. He's strong on the ball, pushes up the pitch, and enjoys taking the odd shot from distance.

Unfortunately, those qualities don't bode well when it comes to shutting down one of the planet's greatest players. Neymar is a constant threat on the left flank. His extraordinary footwork allows him to cut into the box in the most casual fashion as he humiliates his opponents straight into YouTube compilations.

Not only will Rafinha struggle to deal with the Catalan club's 23-year-old phenom, but he'll likely be unable to move up the pitch, as doing so will expose far too much for Neymar to exploit.

Advantage: Barcelona.

Philipp Lahm vs. Andres Iniesta

Gianluca Nesci: Oh baby.

Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Neymar and Bayern's attacking equivalents - whomever that may be on the day - will get all the attention, but my eyes will be firmly fixated on the middle of the pitch, where a battle between two titans is set to unfold.

Philipp Lahm, transformed by both Joachim Low and Pep Guardiola in recent years into a central midfielder, should spend plenty of time in a colossal encounter with Andres Iniesta, who is the closest thing this sport has to an actual wizard when the ball is at his feet.

The Spaniard, now 30 and bearing the signs of his advancing age at various points this season, is not the player he once was. The numbers don't leap off the page and punch you in the face like they once did. And yet, he's still of vital importance to Barcelona's success; his link-up play with the attacking trio and his ability to pick a marvelous pass that nobody else sees still very much in his repertoire.

For a depleted Bayern side to have success, they will need to nullify all three of Barcelona's vaunted attackers. Even then, if Iniesta can put in a vintage performance, that may not be enough. 

If your Bayern, that's a frightening prospect. At least knowing that the responsibility of stopping him will fall heavily on Lahm's shoulders. Few things could be more comforting.

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