NYON, Switzerland (AP) – In a pairing of coach Pep Guardiola’s past and present teams, Barcelona will play Bayern Munich in the Champions League football semi-finals.
Guardiola, who won two Champions League titles during four trophy-filled years at Barcelona, took over at Bayern in 2013.
“Of course it’s special. I can’t say more,” Guardiola said. “Barcelona are the best. I am very pleased that I can have this experience.”
In the other semi-final, defending champion Real Madrid will face Juventus, with the Italian champions playing at home first. Two-time champion Juventus are back after a 12-year absence from the semi-finals, when they also faced Madrid and won.
“They are having a very good season and have practically won the Italian league. That means they can focus more on the Champions League,” Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said.
The four semi-final teams have combined to win the European Cup or Champions League 21 times, with 16 runner-up finishes, in the competition’s 60-year history.
The first leg in Barcelona will be played on May 6, with the return match six days later. Madrid will play in Turin on May 5 and host Juventus on May 13.
The final will be played on June 6 at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin.
