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Barcelona faces Bayern, old coach Guardiola in CL semifinal
Pep Guardiola, the former player who coached Barcelona to 14 titles including two European Cups, makes his highly anticipated return to Camp Nou on Wednesday at the helm of new club Bayern Munich in the Champions League semifinals
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P
ep Guardiola, the former player who coached Barcelona to 14 titles including two European Cups, makes his highly anticipated return to Camp Nou on Wednesday at the helm of new club Bayern Munich in the Champions League semifinals.
A day earlier, titleholder Real Madrid visits Juventus in the first-leg of the other meeting of Europe's final four teams that together boast a combined 21 European Cups.
Here is a look at the two first-leg matches:
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BARCELONA-BAYERN MUNICH
Many Barcelona fans will have mixed feelings Wednesday night when the man hailed as the club's greatest coach will now be scheming to derail its quest for a treble from the opponents' dugout.
Guardiola won six titles in a glorious first season at Barcelona and 14 of a possible 19 titles from 2008-2012, before he stunned club and fans alike by leaving. Last week, Bayern clinched its second consecutive Bundesliga crown under the Catalan.
First-year coach Luis Enrique has Barcelona back to playing its most dominant football since Guardiola's departure.
Barcelona's trio of attacking stars in Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez have combined for 108 goals this season as Barcelona leads the Spanish league with three games to play and has also reached the Copa del Rey final against Athletic Bilbao.
"Details. In series as evenly matched as this one, the details will determine who gets the advantage," Barcelona midfielder Javier Mascherano said about Bayern.
Bayern slumped to a 2-0 defeat to Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday, but at least avoided any further injuries.
Arjen Robben is out for the rest of the season and Robert Lewandowski is doubtful after suffering a concussion and facial fractures in last week's loss to Borussia Dortmund in the German Cup. Franck Ribery is still nursing an ankle injury he sustained in March.
Former Barcelona midfielder Thiago Alcantara is back from injury and will also make his return to Camp Nou.
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JUVENTUS-REAL MADRID
Juventus will be in high spirits after clinching its fourth successive Serie A title with four games to spare at the weekend.
Saturday's 1-0 win at Sassuolo was enough to claim the first of potentially three trophies as it also faces Lazio in the Italian Cup final.
The celebrations may be on ice but the fans are likely to be louder than ever at Juventus Stadium on Tuesday as it will be their first chance to congratulate their heroes.
"It had been a while since I scored in the league so I'm pleased with my goal, but Tuesday's match is the only thing that matters now," said goalscorer Arturo Vidal. "I know Madrid is the best team in the world, but we want to get to the final. The Champions League is a dream and there will be time to celebrate at the end of the season."
Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba is still out injured following a right-thigh muscle tear but is set to return to training this week and Massimiliano Allegri is hopeful of having the French international at his disposal for the second leg.
Juventus' main task will be stopping Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Ballon d'Or holder netted three times to earn a 3-2 win at Sevilla on Saturday, as he set a club record with his 29th hat trick for Madrid.
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AP writers Daniella Matar in Italy and Ciaran Fahey in Germany contributed to this report. (***)
