Barcelona manager Luis Enrique says the Champions League semi-final that pits his side against Bayern Munich will be “special” and “wonderful for everyone.”
Bayern coach Pep Guardiola will face his former club at the Camp Nou on May 6 for the first time since leaving the Catalan side in 2012.
Guardiola, who began his playing career in Barcelona’s youth system, led the club to three La Liga titles, two Copa del Reys and two Champions League titles in four seasons before deciding to take a year sabbatical from football.
Despite his departure, Guardiola remains a beloved figure at the club and still owns season tickets at the Camp Nou.
Speaking after today’s Champions League semi-final draw, current Barcelona boss Luis Enrique said the matchup between two of the world’s biggest clubs is a win-win situation for everyone involved.
“In these draws you can have a preference,” Enrique said. “But you never know if one or the other is better. Football is unpredictable and all that is left now is to value what’s happened and get ready.
“It’s a special game because Pep [Guardiola] is there and he will take on Barcelona; it’s also special for me because I can go up against Pep, as can the players for the first time.
“And it’s also wonderful for all the cules (supporters of Barcelona) and Bayern fans.
“About being home or away first, we’ve had 10 games in the Champions League and won nine and lost one. It’s the same whether we are home or away first.
“We go for the win and after that we get through if we have done enough.”
Enrique has had the best start of a Barcelona coach in the history of the Catalan club after 50 games. He surpassed the previous 50-game records of Guardiola and legendary Argentine coach Helenio Herrera.
Since assuming control of the club last summer, Enrique has won 42 of 50 matches, along with five defeats and three draws. Herrera accumulated 40 wins and Guardiola 37 during their first fifty games in charge.
Programming note: Espanyol vs. Barcelona will be shown LIVE on Saturday starting at 9:55am EST on beIN SPORTS and fuboTV.
