Munich - Arabstoday
High-flying Bayern Munich will have "no chance" in next Tuesday's Champions League semi-final, first leg against Barcelona, according to Hamburg captain Rafael van der Vaart. Bundesliga winners Bayern host Barcelona at Munich's Allianz Arena bidding to reach the Champions League final for the third time in four seasons, but former Real Madrid midfielder Van der Vaart has dismissed their chances. "One player separates Bayern and Barcelona: Messi," the Dutch midfielder told German magazine Sport Bild. "When Bayern meet Barca in the semi-finals, they will have only 30 percent of the ball possession. "Barcelona have a simply unbelievable system. They always have the ball, Bayern have no chance." Having played for Real and Tottenham Hotspur in his career, Van der Vaart's words come against the backdrop of Bayern's 9-2 hammering of his Hamburg side at the end of March, when the Dutchman set up both goals as his team were routed. The semi-final return leg will take place in Barcelona on May 1. Source: AFP