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Champions League semi-final: Six things to look out for in Barcelona vs Bayern Munich and Juventus vs Real Madrid

Will Barca and Bayern set a passing record? Will Ramos and Tevez wrestle?

Tom Sheen
Friday 24 April 2015 14:55 BST
Comments

1) Barca and Bayern to set a passing record

A team managed by Pep Guardiola and another that bears the hall marks of his tiki-taka style - the two sides have completed just shy of 7,000 passes in this competition this season. Real Madrid are third on 5,700. Will the teams ever get round to shooting? Pass, pass, pass, pass, pass. Ad infinitum.

2) Pep Guardiola allows his beloved Barcelona to win

The Barca legend is returning to the Nou Camp as an opponent for the first time. In 23 years as a player and then coach, Guardiola helped the club to 30 trophies; as if he really wants to beat them.

3) Manuel Neuer to dribble around the Barca team and score

The Bayern goalkeeper is pretty handy. Not only is he the best in the world at his position he is also decent with the ball at his feet. He seems to be getting braver about how far he comes out of his box and the only natural progression is for him to get himself on the scoresheet.

4) Juventus go through on a technicality

Playing against Monaco, Juventus barely created a chance over 180 minutes, with their decisive goal coming from a very contentious penalty. Juventus will play with 11 men parked in the penalty area and hope for an Iker Casillas fumble.

5) Gareth Bale to walk off the pitch after a Cristiano Ronaldo strop

The Portuguese star has not been happy with the world's most expensive player this season, barely celebrating when the Welshman scores and acting theatrically if Bale makes a mistake - when will Bale finally have enough of it?

6) Sergio Ramos and Carlos Tevez to wrestle

Ramos and Tevez are hardly the most level-headed characters. The Spaniard has been sent off 19 times in his career and the striker is one of the best wind-up merchants in football. I give it until 32mins before it all kicks-off over an innocuous throw-in decision

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