Barcelona defender Marc Bartra is convinced history won't repeat itself when they come up against Bayern Munich in their upcoming Champions League semi-final.
The Catalans were thrashed 7-0 by the Bavarians two years ago at the
same stage of the European competition and were drawn against them once
again this May.
In addition to it being an opportunity for Lionel Messi and Co. to
get revenge on the reigning German champions, the Barca players will
come up against former coach Pep Guardiola for the first time since he
left in 2012.
Barca are favourites to conquer Bayern this time because their form
and fitness – Bayern were knocked out of the DFB-Pokal on Tuesday when
key players such as Arjen Robben and Robert Lewandowski were injured.
Bartra featured in the 3-0 and 4-0 defeats to Bayern in 2013 and he
is adamant the circumstances are wildly different right now under Luis
Enrique, who has the best win rate of any Camp Nou coach after 50 games.
“Bayern were having an outstanding end to the season and our situation was the polar opposite,” he told reporters.
“We had a number of injuries, weren't physically at our best, and
when that happens things don't always go the way you want. The best
thing to do is learn from it and become a better player.
“Even with injuries, Bayern are still a strong side, we have the
utmost respect for them. We're in better physical condition than we were
two years ago, when we weren't in the best shape.
“What's important is that we've it made this far and we're in good
shape. It isn't going to be easy, but we're going to do our very best.
“In Europe – especially in the semi-finals – no team can be favourites because so many things could happen.”
Before hosting Bayern in the first leg of the Champions League
semi-final next Wednesday, Barca travel to Cordoba as they look to
extend or hold on to their two-point lead over Real Madrid in La Liga.
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