Guardiola gunning for triumphant return to Nou Camp with Bayern

Pep Guardiola will return to the Nou Camp to face the club he guided to an incredible 14 major trophies during a four-year spell, as his former employers Barcelona host recently-crowned Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich in their Champions League semi-final first leg encounter.

In 2009 and 2011, the highly successful Spanish coach guided the Blaugrana to clinical Champions League victories, comprehensively overcoming Premier League outfit Manchester United in both finals.

However, this season Guardiola must dispatch his previous club, while putting past loyalties and bonds aside, to secure the German champions their sixth European Cup victory. His domestically dominant side are a possibly surprising 4/1 chance to topple their Spanish counterparts on the road.

Three-time FIFA Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi was the key component in Guardiola’s trophy-laden Barcelona squad, and formed a close relationship with the Spaniard, but the Argentine attacker has insisted he no longer shares a bond with his former mentor.

“We had a great time when Pep was here. We won a lot of titles and I grew a lot – that was the time when I grew most as a footballer,” stated Messi.

“We had a fantastic relationship when he was here. I have seen him a few times since he left, but we don’t have any kind of relationship now.”

Guardiola led the Catalan giants to three consecutive La Liga titles during his incredible reign at the Nou Camp while, also cementing their place in history as one of the most dominant teams ever assembled in Europe, and he is sure to use his inside knowledge to benefit Bayern.