Barcelona against Bayern Munich

Villa cuts onto his right foot but again strikes directly at Neuer from the edge of the 18-yard box.

So hands up who had money on a 7-0 aggregate win for Bayern?

Nice Maradona turn from Thiago opens up some space, then moments later he is met by Van Buyten's head in his cheek. A painful one that.

Bartra heads over from the resulting corner. Only inches too high.

Villa wins a corner off Tymoschuk

Adriano gets frustrated and brings down Mandzukic. Think the ref feels his pain though as he's been let off.

<em>Stats (@optajoe): Thomas Muller has scored eight and assisted two goals in the Champions League this season. </em>

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Pique will miss the final if... let's leave it there.

That's the last of Bayern's potential suspensions for the final withdrawn.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Rafinha on for Lahm

<strong>BARCELONA 0-3 BAYERN.</strong> Ribery outmuscles Song and delivers a cross to Muller, who heads home. Barca desperate for the final whistle.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Muller makes it 3-0. Goodness gracious.

Bot Martinez and Schweinsteiger withdrawn as they were at risk of missing the final if booked.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Tymoschuk on for Martinez.

Alves crosses towards Villa, who gets ahead of Van Buyten but can only head past the post.

<strong>BARCELONA 0-2 BAYERN</strong> Pique shins home Ribery's cross. Misery piled on.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> An own goal from Pique. Humiliation for Barca.

Pedro gets a shot off, the first I can remember in a while from Barca. Straight down Neuer's throat though.

Barca knocking it around without too much ambition. Arguably their best period of possession in the game.

The Oles are echoing around Camp Nou as Bayern fans relish their place in a third Champions League final in four years.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2013/0501/bayernmunichbenchcelebvbarca20130501_275x155.jpg"><br>Jupp Heynckes and the Bayern Munich bench celebrate Arjen Robben's away goal

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Gustavo on for Schweinsteiger

Adriano lets Robben know he's there. Boom, right through the back of him. Unfriendly challenge.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Thiago on for Iniesta

Alexis escapes the clutches of Alaba, who then recovers to direct the ball out for a corner.

<em>Stats (@optajoe): Barcelona were last defeated in both legs of a European knockout tie in 1987, at the hands of Dundee Utd.</em>

Robben in destructive mood this evening. Silky touches and direct running.

Bayern aren't done themselves, good exchange between Mandzukic and Robben leads to the ball coming to Muller, whose powerful strike is blocked.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2013/0501/bayerncelebarjenrobbengoalvbarca20130501_275x155.jpg"><br>Bayern celebrate after Arjen Robben put them a goal to the good at Barca

Barcelona still working for a goal, can they at least win the match?

<em>ESPN's Richard Jolly (@richjolly) on Twitter: Simplistic but true - Barcelona have too few regular goalscorers and too few quality defenders.</em>

<em> &#8207;@HowardBarnger on Twitter: The flood-gates just opened. Beautiful curler from Robben</em>

Victor Valdes gets the armband. Don't expect we'll see Messi now as the tie is done.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Alexis Sanchez on for Xavi

Bayern pour forward again but Robben can only divert Ribery's cross wide.

<em>Stats: Arjen Robben was a Real Madrid player from 2007-09, winning one Liga title and scoring against Barcelona in a 4-1 league win on 7 May 2008. The Dutchman suffered last-16 elimination with Chelsea FC against Barcelona in 2005/06</em>

A montage of unhappy Barca players is played on TV. Painful.

An all-German final awaits at the home of English football. There's some irony in there somewhere.

Villa strikes from the edge of the box but his shot is blocked.

Six goals needed for Barcelona now. Don't know about you but I'm not even entertaining the idea.

So there you go, it's all over.

<strong>BARCA 0-1 BAYERN.</strong> A textbook Arjen Robben goal, cutting in from the right, skipping past Adriano and curling it past Valdes from just inside the penalty area.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Robben puts the final nail in the Barca coffin.

Valdes claims and BOOTS it upfield. Towards no-one.

Bayern free-kick on the right wing. Robben to swing in a left-footed delivery.

Muller given the freedom of Camp Nou to run through but he underhit his pass towards Mandzukic.

Barcelona settle onto the ball in the early exchanges.

And they're off...

The players out for the second-half. Pique scouting the Camp Nou, presumably for some Waka-Waka inspiration from his other half. Here we go.

True that.

<em>@lewisadel on Twitter: No Messi, No party tonight for #barca</em>

<em>Stats (@optajoe): Since his debut, Lionel Messi has netted 30% (59) of Barcelona's Champions League goals (195).</em>

Here's what <a href="http://www.101greatgoals.com/gvideos/gif-arjen-robbens-yellow-card-for-a-foul-on-alex-song/#.UYFtqF-8SZM.twitter" target="_blank">Arjen Robben's foul on Alex Song</a> looked like, courtesy of @101greatgoals

<em>Alexi Lalas (@AlexiLalas)on Twitter: The spacing between Bayern players when defending is amazing. Looks like a grid from a game of Battleship. #UCL </em>

This sums up Bayern's positional discipline nicely...

So what did you make of the first half? <a href="https://twitter.com/marklomasESPN" target="_blank">Give me a shout on Twitter - @marklomasESPN</a>

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2013/0501/thomasmullerhighchallengevbarca20130501_275x155.jpg"><br>Thomas Muller beats Adriano acrobatically

<strong>HT: BARCELONA 0-0 BAYERN.</strong> So the task remains the same for Barca, four goals needed to take this tie into extra-time. I'm just not sure where they are going to come from. Pique has been immense but though the hosts improved as the half went on, Bayern still look dangerous every time they attack.

There's the half-time whistle.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Alves rightly booked. Think he dead-legged himself too.

Alves has hurt himself in a poor, poor tackle on Schweinsteiger.

Lahm drags Bayern forward, they've definitely eased up on the pace a bit. And let's face it, they can afford to. It's Barca who need to do the running.

Just to clarify, it was a poor touch.

Pedro receives the ball from Iniesta's throw-in but produces a touch that wouldn't have looked out of place in ESPN's Monday night staff kickabouts.

Alves with an enticing cut back but it's behind his two waiting team-mates.

<em>Stats: Jupp Heynckes suffered two defeats against Barcelona in his solitary campaign as Real Madrid coach in 1997-98, losing 3-2 at home and 3-0 away in a season where the Merengues finished fourth and Barcelona first.</em>

Shot from Adriano is scuffed along the floor from 25 yards. Easy pickings for Neuer.

No is the answer. Alves dispossessed just outside the Bayern penalty box.

A bit better now from the Catalans, a good spell of possession. Can they do something with it, though?

Surely we've got to see Messi for the second half? Barca look like a team bereft of their best player.

Song penalised for fouling Mandzukic after giving the balla way to the Croatian.

Iniesta with what can only be described as a 'stop-go nutmeg'. But he has got no support.

Muller in late on Pedro, was no better that Robben's really. No yellow card though.

Robben free again, this time he sidesteps Pique but Song is there to block the winger's shot on the edge of the box.

Pedro crosses from the left, Van Buyten heads it clear.

That Pique has been Barca's best player says a lot about how this first half has gone so far for the hosts.

But of a painful one on the back of Song's ankle. He's up now though.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Alex Song in some discomfort. Robben booked for the late challenge on the Cameroon midfielder.

Pique orchestrating an attack as the ball breaks to Xavi, who cuts it inside to Fabregas. Good interception from Lahm prevents the former Arsenal man from getting a toe to it.

<em>Stats: Bayern drew 1-1 at Valencia CF in this season's group stage and won 2-0 at Villarreal CF in last season's ? their first victory in Spain since 2001. Bayern's record away to Liga teams is W5 D5 L10.</em>

Barca with some impressive passing to get out of defence. Pique's chipped pass to Iniesta is then knocked back to Adriano. They need to be doing it higher up the pitch.

Barca were asking for a penalty in that passage of play as Fabregas was floored by Lahm. It looked to be just a bit of legal physicality to me.

Xavi volleys over the crossbar from Alves' cross. Real chance.

Pique with his third last-ditch tackle of the game. Already.

Bayern looking disciplined in defence and dangerous in attack. A pretty good combination as they go.

Song brings Barcelona forward, Pedro tries his luck from 30 yards out. Neuer tips it over. It was flying into the top corner.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2013/0501/marcbartrashotvbayern20130501_275x155.jpg"><br>Marc Bartra tries his luck against Bayern

A hoof upfield from Pique very un-Barca. Just struggling to get settled so far.

Barcelona again let off as Ribery's attempted pass to Mandzukic is dealt with. Barca looking shaky at the back. A lot of last-ditch defending so far.

The Barca metronome hasn't quite swung into action yet this evening. Bayern closing the Catalans down quickly every time they have possession.

Another wonderful tackle from Pique, after a lovely penetrating move from Bayern.

Song gets in an important interception to prevent Ribery's pass from finding Muller.

<em>Stats: Barcelona are appearing in a record sixth consecutive UEFA Champions League semi-final. </em>

The ball drops to Robben who lobs a pass into the box. However, there are three Bayern players standing offside.

Ribery wins another free-kick down the right for Bayern after being clattered by Bartra.

Wasted from the Brazilian though - deep inside the area his ball across the box wasn't good enough. Dangerous position.

Xavi with an incisive ball to release Alves in a great position...

Villa tries a quick give and go with Fabregas on the edge of the box but misplaces his pass.

Barcelona looking short at the back time and again here. Robben again afforded plenty of space but his cross is poor.

What a tackle from Pique, superb tracking back. Last-ditch with Robben bearing down on goal.

Robben is in the clear...

Schweinsteiger searches for Alaba down the Bayern left but there was just a bit to much juice on his pass.

Bartra up to head Xavi's free-kick goalwards. But the effort goes high and wide.

<em>Stats: Manuel Neuer has played every minute of Bayern's campaign; Dante and Thomas Müller have featured in all 11 games.</em>

Muller rises and is caught by Adriano as he heads the ball, but the German's protestations get him nowhere.

Free-kick for Bayern on the left wing, they pack the box.

Moments earlier, Villa was put through by Fabregas but despite producing a smart turn could not quite get inside Boateng.

Bayern with a swift counter attack with Lahm going from one end to the other before seeing his shot booked on the edge of the box.

Adriano advances down the left, but his touch is a little heavy and Bayern have a throw-in.

Alves straight down the other end sails in a cross-cum-shot. Handled easily by Neuer.

Bayern claim a pass-back from Dani Alves but the referee waves away the appeal.

Robben with a first chance to run at Barca and the ball almost squeezes through after a mistake on the edge of the box from Bartra.

Iniesta looks long for Villa, you don't see that too often. The Spain striker crowded out by Van Buyten.

Barca keeping possession but a through-ball towards Dani Alves is overhit and Bayern have it back.

Muller strays offside after being played in by Mandzukic.

Bayern get us under way playing in their traditional red kits, Barca in Blaugrana of course.

And we're off!

As always, I'd love to hear your thoughts on the game throughout so give me a shout on Twitter - <a href="https://twitter.com/marklomasESPN" target="_blank">@marklomasESPN is the place to go.</a>

The anthem plays, a packed Camp Nou are ready. Everyone (bar Bayern fans) keep your fingers crossed for an early Barca goal as that will make this significantly more exciting.

<em>Stats: Barcelona have won their last ten home games against German visitors and have an overall home record of W19 D1 L6 against Bundesliga sides </em>

Bayern didn't even have Mario Mandzukic in their team for <a href="http://espnfc.com/uk/en/report/364639/report.html?soccernet=true&cc=5739" target="_blank">last week's 4-0 win in Munich.</a> He's back from suspension tonight, though.

There have been 20 previous Champions League finals, with 51 goals scored. But which was the best goal of the lot? <a href="http://www.espn.co.uk/football/sport/story/202993.html" target="_blank">Have your say in our ESPN Classic poll here.</a>

Team news is in and.... No Messi. I can almost hear the universal sighs of surrender from Barcelona fans now. Pedro, Villa and Fabregas start in attack. It's still not a bad front trio is it?!

A bit of light pre-match reading for you now from our club bloggers. Francesc Tomas is keeping his <a href="http://espnfc.com/blog/_/name/barcelona/id/1316?cc=5739 " target="_blank">fingers crossed for a miraculous Barca comeback</a>, while Susie Schaaf says <a href="http://espnfc.com/blog/_/name/bayernmunich/id/879?cc=5739" target="_blank">cautious optimism is the order of the day for Bayern.</a>

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2013/0427/lionelmessicelebbarcelonavathletic_275x155.jpg"><br> Recognise this chap? <a href="http://espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/1430951/barcelona-tito-vilanova-lionel-messi-transform-bayern-tie?cc=5739" target="_blank">Tito Vilanova says Messi can be the game changer, but he's starting on the bench. </a>

Join Mark Lomas <a href="https://twitter.com/marklomasESPN" target="_blank">(@marklomasESPN)</a> for live text commentary of Barcelona v Bayern Munich. Can the Catalans overturn a monumental 4-0 first-leg deficit?

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> An own goal from Pique. Humiliation for Barca.

Pedro gets a shot off, the first I can remember in a while from Barca. Straight down Neuer's throat though.

Barca knocking it around without too much ambition. Arguably their best period of possession in the game.

The Oles are echoing around Camp Nou as Bayern fans relish their place in a third Champions League final in four years.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2013/0501/bayernmunichbenchcelebvbarca20130501_275x155.jpg"><br>Jupp Heynckes and the Bayern Munich bench celebrate Arjen Robben's away goal

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Gustavo on for Schweinsteiger

Adriano lets Robben know he's there. Boom, right through the back of him. Unfriendly challenge.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Thiago on for Iniesta

Alexis escapes the clutches of Alaba, who then recovers to direct the ball out for a corner.

<em>Stats (@optajoe): Barcelona were last defeated in both legs of a European knockout tie in 1987, at the hands of Dundee Utd.</em>

Robben in destructive mood this evening. Silky touches and direct running.

Bayern aren't done themselves, good exchange between Mandzukic and Robben leads to the ball coming to Muller, whose powerful strike is blocked.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2013/0501/bayerncelebarjenrobbengoalvbarca20130501_275x155.jpg"><br>Bayern celebrate after Arjen Robben put them a goal to the good at Barca

Barcelona still working for a goal, can they at least win the match?

<em>ESPN's Richard Jolly (@richjolly) on Twitter: Simplistic but true - Barcelona have too few regular goalscorers and too few quality defenders.</em>

<em> &#8207;@HowardBarnger on Twitter: The flood-gates just opened. Beautiful curler from Robben</em>

Victor Valdes gets the armband. Don't expect we'll see Messi now as the tie is done.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Alexis Sanchez on for Xavi

Bayern pour forward again but Robben can only divert Ribery's cross wide.

<em>Stats: Arjen Robben was a Real Madrid player from 2007-09, winning one Liga title and scoring against Barcelona in a 4-1 league win on 7 May 2008. The Dutchman suffered last-16 elimination with Chelsea FC against Barcelona in 2005/06</em>

A montage of unhappy Barca players is played on TV. Painful.

An all-German final awaits at the home of English football. There's some irony in there somewhere.

Villa strikes from the edge of the box but his shot is blocked.

Six goals needed for Barcelona now. Don't know about you but I'm not even entertaining the idea.

So there you go, it's all over.

<strong>BARCA 0-1 BAYERN.</strong> A textbook Arjen Robben goal, cutting in from the right, skipping past Adriano and curling it past Valdes from just inside the penalty area.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Robben puts the final nail in the Barca coffin.

Valdes claims and BOOTS it upfield. Towards no-one.

Bayern free-kick on the right wing. Robben to swing in a left-footed delivery.

Muller given the freedom of Camp Nou to run through but he underhit his pass towards Mandzukic.

Barcelona settle onto the ball in the early exchanges.

And they're off...

The players out for the second-half. Pique scouting the Camp Nou, presumably for some Waka-Waka inspiration from his other half. Here we go.

True that.

<em>@lewisadel on Twitter: No Messi, No party tonight for #barca</em>

<em>Stats (@optajoe): Since his debut, Lionel Messi has netted 30% (59) of Barcelona's Champions League goals (195).</em>

Here's what <a href="http://www.101greatgoals.com/gvideos/gif-arjen-robbens-yellow-card-for-a-foul-on-alex-song/#.UYFtqF-8SZM.twitter" target="_blank">Arjen Robben's foul on Alex Song</a> looked like, courtesy of @101greatgoals

<em>Alexi Lalas (@AlexiLalas)on Twitter: The spacing between Bayern players when defending is amazing. Looks like a grid from a game of Battleship. #UCL </em>

This sums up Bayern's positional discipline nicely...

So what did you make of the first half? <a href="https://twitter.com/marklomasESPN" target="_blank">Give me a shout on Twitter - @marklomasESPN</a>

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2013/0501/thomasmullerhighchallengevbarca20130501_275x155.jpg"><br>Thomas Muller beats Adriano acrobatically

<strong>HT: BARCELONA 0-0 BAYERN.</strong> So the task remains the same for Barca, four goals needed to take this tie into extra-time. I'm just not sure where they are going to come from. Pique has been immense but though the hosts improved as the half went on, Bayern still look dangerous every time they attack.

There's the half-time whistle.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Alves rightly booked. Think he dead-legged himself too.

Alves has hurt himself in a poor, poor tackle on Schweinsteiger.

Lahm drags Bayern forward, they've definitely eased up on the pace a bit. And let's face it, they can afford to. It's Barca who need to do the running.

Just to clarify, it was a poor touch.

Pedro receives the ball from Iniesta's throw-in but produces a touch that wouldn't have looked out of place in ESPN's Monday night staff kickabouts.

Alves with an enticing cut back but it's behind his two waiting team-mates.

<em>Stats: Jupp Heynckes suffered two defeats against Barcelona in his solitary campaign as Real Madrid coach in 1997-98, losing 3-2 at home and 3-0 away in a season where the Merengues finished fourth and Barcelona first.</em>

Shot from Adriano is scuffed along the floor from 25 yards. Easy pickings for Neuer.

No is the answer. Alves dispossessed just outside the Bayern penalty box.

A bit better now from the Catalans, a good spell of possession. Can they do something with it, though?

Surely we've got to see Messi for the second half? Barca look like a team bereft of their best player.

Song penalised for fouling Mandzukic after giving the balla way to the Croatian.

Iniesta with what can only be described as a 'stop-go nutmeg'. But he has got no support.

Muller in late on Pedro, was no better that Robben's really. No yellow card though.

Robben free again, this time he sidesteps Pique but Song is there to block the winger's shot on the edge of the box.

Pedro crosses from the left, Van Buyten heads it clear.

That Pique has been Barca's best player says a lot about how this first half has gone so far for the hosts.

But of a painful one on the back of Song's ankle. He's up now though.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Alex Song in some discomfort. Robben booked for the late challenge on the Cameroon midfielder.

Pique orchestrating an attack as the ball breaks to Xavi, who cuts it inside to Fabregas. Good interception from Lahm prevents the former Arsenal man from getting a toe to it.

<em>Stats: Bayern drew 1-1 at Valencia CF in this season's group stage and won 2-0 at Villarreal CF in last season's ? their first victory in Spain since 2001. Bayern's record away to Liga teams is W5 D5 L10.</em>

Barca with some impressive passing to get out of defence. Pique's chipped pass to Iniesta is then knocked back to Adriano. They need to be doing it higher up the pitch.

Barca were asking for a penalty in that passage of play as Fabregas was floored by Lahm. It looked to be just a bit of legal physicality to me.

Xavi volleys over the crossbar from Alves' cross. Real chance.

Pique with his third last-ditch tackle of the game. Already.

Bayern looking disciplined in defence and dangerous in attack. A pretty good combination as they go.

Song brings Barcelona forward, Pedro tries his luck from 30 yards out. Neuer tips it over. It was flying into the top corner.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2013/0501/marcbartrashotvbayern20130501_275x155.jpg"><br>Marc Bartra tries his luck against Bayern

A hoof upfield from Pique very un-Barca. Just struggling to get settled so far.

Barcelona again let off as Ribery's attempted pass to Mandzukic is dealt with. Barca looking shaky at the back. A lot of last-ditch defending so far.

The Barca metronome hasn't quite swung into action yet this evening. Bayern closing the Catalans down quickly every time they have possession.

Another wonderful tackle from Pique, after a lovely penetrating move from Bayern.

Song gets in an important interception to prevent Ribery's pass from finding Muller.

<em>Stats: Barcelona are appearing in a record sixth consecutive UEFA Champions League semi-final. </em>

The ball drops to Robben who lobs a pass into the box. However, there are three Bayern players standing offside.

Ribery wins another free-kick down the right for Bayern after being clattered by Bartra.

Wasted from the Brazilian though - deep inside the area his ball across the box wasn't good enough. Dangerous position.

Xavi with an incisive ball to release Alves in a great position...

Villa tries a quick give and go with Fabregas on the edge of the box but misplaces his pass.

Barcelona looking short at the back time and again here. Robben again afforded plenty of space but his cross is poor.

What a tackle from Pique, superb tracking back. Last-ditch with Robben bearing down on goal.

Robben is in the clear...

Schweinsteiger searches for Alaba down the Bayern left but there was just a bit to much juice on his pass.

Bartra up to head Xavi's free-kick goalwards. But the effort goes high and wide.

<em>Stats: Manuel Neuer has played every minute of Bayern's campaign; Dante and Thomas Müller have featured in all 11 games.</em>

Muller rises and is caught by Adriano as he heads the ball, but the German's protestations get him nowhere.

Free-kick for Bayern on the left wing, they pack the box.

Moments earlier, Villa was put through by Fabregas but despite producing a smart turn could not quite get inside Boateng.

Bayern with a swift counter attack with Lahm going from one end to the other before seeing his shot booked on the edge of the box.

Adriano advances down the left, but his touch is a little heavy and Bayern have a throw-in.

Alves straight down the other end sails in a cross-cum-shot. Handled easily by Neuer.

Bayern claim a pass-back from Dani Alves but the referee waves away the appeal.

Robben with a first chance to run at Barca and the ball almost squeezes through after a mistake on the edge of the box from Bartra.

Iniesta looks long for Villa, you don't see that too often. The Spain striker crowded out by Van Buyten.

Barca keeping possession but a through-ball towards Dani Alves is overhit and Bayern have it back.

Muller strays offside after being played in by Mandzukic.

Bayern get us under way playing in their traditional red kits, Barca in Blaugrana of course.

And we're off!

As always, I'd love to hear your thoughts on the game throughout so give me a shout on Twitter - <a href="https://twitter.com/marklomasESPN" target="_blank">@marklomasESPN is the place to go.</a>

The anthem plays, a packed Camp Nou are ready. Everyone (bar Bayern fans) keep your fingers crossed for an early Barca goal as that will make this significantly more exciting.

<em>Stats: Barcelona have won their last ten home games against German visitors and have an overall home record of W19 D1 L6 against Bundesliga sides </em>

Bayern didn't even have Mario Mandzukic in their team for <a href="http://espnfc.com/uk/en/report/364639/report.html?soccernet=true&cc=5739" target="_blank">last week's 4-0 win in Munich.</a> He's back from suspension tonight, though.

There have been 20 previous Champions League finals, with 51 goals scored. But which was the best goal of the lot? <a href="http://www.espn.co.uk/football/sport/story/202993.html" target="_blank">Have your say in our ESPN Classic poll here.</a>

Team news is in and.... No Messi. I can almost hear the universal sighs of surrender from Barcelona fans now. Pedro, Villa and Fabregas start in attack. It's still not a bad front trio is it?!

A bit of light pre-match reading for you now from our club bloggers. Francesc Tomas is keeping his <a href="http://espnfc.com/blog/_/name/barcelona/id/1316?cc=5739 " target="_blank">fingers crossed for a miraculous Barca comeback</a>, while Susie Schaaf says <a href="http://espnfc.com/blog/_/name/bayernmunich/id/879?cc=5739" target="_blank">cautious optimism is the order of the day for Bayern.</a>

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2013/0427/lionelmessicelebbarcelonavathletic_275x155.jpg"><br> Recognise this chap? <a href="http://espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/1430951/barcelona-tito-vilanova-lionel-messi-transform-bayern-tie?cc=5739" target="_blank">Tito Vilanova says Messi can be the game changer, but he's starting on the bench. </a>

Join Mark Lomas <a href="https://twitter.com/marklomasESPN" target="_blank">(@marklomasESPN)</a> for live text commentary of Barcelona v Bayern Munich. Can the Catalans overturn a monumental 4-0 first-leg deficit?