The fixtures are shown on an electronic panel following the draw of Champions League semi-finals.—AP

NYON: Barcelona will have the chance to avenge their 2013 humbling by Bayern Munich after being paired with the Germans again in the Champions League semi-final draw on Friday which also pitted holders Real Madrid against Juventus.

Bayern thrashed Barcelona 7-0 on aggregate two years ago before going on to beat Borussia Dortmund to win their fifth European Cup.

Former Barca coach Pep Guardiola was on a year’s sabbatical at the time but will doubtless enjoy the challenge of trying to repeat that achievement on his first return to the Nou Camp since taking over at Bayern.

“Of course it’s special. I can’t say more,” Guardiola, who won two Champions League titles during four trophy-filled years at Barca, said. “Barca are the best. I am very pleased that I can have this experience.”

Bayern, who play the second leg at home, will go into the tie on a high after their 6-1 quarter-final second-leg demolition of FC Porto but Barcelona were similarly impressive in dispatching a powerful Paris St Germain side 5-1 on aggregate.

“On Tuesday we played one of the best halfs in the history of the Champions League [when they scored five against Porto to wipe out a 3-1 first-leg deficit],” said Paul Breitner, Bayern’s representative at the draw. “We have to do that over the entire two games against Barcelona.”

Jordi Mestre, Barcelona vice-president, said: “Guardiola obviously knows us well but we also know him and his way of playing, while Luis Enrique and Guardiola know each other very well and it is another element to the game.”

Barca coach Luis Enrique played alongside Guardiola at the club in the 1990s.

“It is a special game because Pep is on the other side. It will be the first time that he has faced his Barca, it will be the first time that I have faced him as a coach which will be special for me, and I am sure it will be for my players,” said Luis Enrique, who did not seem too concerned about having to play the first leg at home.

“We have played 10 games in the Champions League, and we have won nine and lost one, playing both home and away.”

Real, seeking a record-extending 11th title, will be at home in the second leg against a Juve side making their first appearance in the semis since 2003 when they beat the Spaniards en route to losing the final to AC Milan on penalties.

“This Juve is competitive,” said club director Pavel Nedved, a standout in the 2003 team. “We know that Real have incredible players but this is a semi-final to play without fear. We are happy to be competing with these three teams, who are the best sides in the world.”

Published in Dawn, April 25th, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play