Bayern Munich vs Barcelona, Champions League Semi-Final 1st Leg: Open Thread

Today kicks off the first semi-final in the 2012-13 UEFA Champions League season with a classic match-up between Bayern Munich and Barcelona, scheduled to kick off at 2:45pm ET, live from Munich.

For viewers in the United States, the match will be shown live on FOX Soccer (with pre-game coverage beginning at 2pm ET).

With the news last night that Bayern Munich has agreed a fee to sign Mario Gotze from Borussia Dortmund this summer, Bayern are turning into an international powerhouse, so an impressive result against Barcelona today could give the German team a massive boost against undoubtedly the best team in the world, Barcelona.

With Barcelona, the big question is whether Lionel Messi will be fit or not to play in today’s match. According to news reports, Messi has been given the all-clear to play today, so the only question is whether he’ll start or not. In a match of this magnitude, and knowing how poor Barcelona play without him, I think Messi has to start.

Bayern Munich starting XI: Neuer, Lahm, Dante, Boateng, Alaba, Schweinsteiger, Martinez, Robben, Muller, Ribery, Gomez.

Barcelona starting XI: Valdés, Alves, Bartra, Piqué, Alba; Busquets, Xavi, Iniesta; Pedrito, Alexis, Messi.

Before, during or after today’s Champions League match, join in the conversation with fellow football supporters in the comments section below.