Pep Guardiola set for Barcelona return

Pep Guardiola Bayern Munich

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Pep Guardiola will face Barcelona for the first time since leaving the club in 2012 next month after his current team, Bayern Munich, were paired with his old side in the draw for the semi-finals of the Champions League.

Guardiola is regarded as one of the greatest Barcelona managers of all time having achieved unprecedented success during his four years in charge at the Nou Camp.

The Spaniard won 13 trophies as Barca boss, including the Champions League twice, before stepping down due to stress.

Guardiola has since become Bayern Munich head coach and has already guided them to four trophies in less than two years in charge, with another Bundesliga crown almost certain to be added to the Bavarians haul this season.

The 44-year-old is desperate for more Champions League success though and is out to avenge a heavy defeat to Real Madrid in the semi-finals of last season’s competition.

Bayern will head to the Nou Camp for the first leg of the last four tie on either May 5 or 6, with the return leg in Germany taking place a week later.

The other semi-final will see Carlo Ancelotti take his current club Real Madrid to one of his old teams, Juventus.

The Italian was manager of the Bianconeri between 1999 and 2001 but may not be fondly remembered in Turin given the lack of silverware he won.

Juve will be playing in their first semi-final in 12 years, beating this year’s opponents Real 4-3 on aggregate on route to a penalty shootout defeat to AC Milan in the final.

Barcelona are 2.75 to win this season’s Champions League, with both Barcelona and Bayern Munich priced at 3.25.

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