Barcelona swerve Madrid

13Apr 2013

Bajnokok Ligája

Spain's giants avoided another semi-final showdown as Barcelona face Bayern Munich, while Real Madrid are reunited with Group D foes Borussia Dortmund...

So the grand Clasico final is still very much on between Real Madrid and Barcelona, though Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund will have other ideas.

Barcelona have never lost a European Cup/Champions League knockout tie against German opposition in seven previous attempts, but their quarter-final triumph over Bayern back in 2008/09 was against a far less vintage side than the current crop of Bavarians.

This star-studded Bayern Munich side have made two of the last three finals and, having dealt with Juventus in clinical fashion, will not fear the Spaniards.

When you combine this with Barca's unconvincing ousting of Paris St-Germain, it's not hard to to see why their price for Wembley glory has lengthened from 2.94 to 3.5 since the draw.

Likewise, Jupp Heynckes' side have seen their double date with the pre-tournament favourites extend their price for that elusive fifth crown to 4.1, out from 3.75.

However, with such a formidable record at the Allianz Arena, it's Bayern who are 2.5 favourites to arrive at the Camp Nou with an advantage, with Tito Vilanova's side rated at 3.0.

Barca have only won two of their last seven away games in Europe - and none of their last four in the knockout rounds - so will have their work cut out to beat a Bayern side who've won 18 of their last 20 home games in the competition.

The other tie sees Jose Mourinho's Real Madrid travel to their earlier Group D opponents Borussia Dortmund, with Los Blancos being backed in from 3.65 to 3.2 to win the competition after drawing the tournament outsiders.

Meanwhile, a third meeting with Real Madrid this season has taken Jurgen Klopp's team in slightly from 7.8 to 7.6 to lift the trophy.

This promises to be a fascinating tie, not least because of the combined eccentricity factor in both dugouts, but also because of those previous group clashes.

It is the German underdogs who undoubtedly have the psychological edge after seeing off Madrid 2-1 in Germany and almost embarrassing them in the Bernabeu before Mesut Ozil's late equaliser rescued the blushes.

Again, the first tie will be played on German soil and, despite Real's loss at the Westfalenstadion, Mourinho's side are narrow 2.38 favourites to beat Dortmund, while Klopp's side are rated at 2.85.