Telegraph journalist Henry Winter at the Nou Camp: "Barcelona fans' banner close to Bayern dug-out that reads (in Catalan): "Thank you, Pep, eternal thanks".

Image source, AP

The fans who are in their seats early have made an effort though.

European football writer Andy West at Nou Camp

"Less than 30 minutes to kick off and surely the place is packed as Barca come out for their warm-up?

"Well... not really. Barca fans are always late arrivals into the ground and they're not changing that tonight, even for a Champions League semi-final against Pep.

"So the Nou Camp is sparsely occupied as Messi and co go through their pre-match paces."

There is a huge game in Barcelona tonight, but it may be the last one for a little while.

The Spanish soccer federation (RFEF) has decided to indefinitely suspend all domestic competition from May 16 over a spat with the government on issues including a new law on collective bargaining for television rights.

"At the same time, and yet again, we reiterate the offer of dialogue to the Spanish government," the federation said on its website, external after a board meeting on Wednesday.

More on that story when we get it.

These two sides met at this stage of the competition in 2013.

Nobody expected the result as Bayern Munich ran out 7-0 winners on aggregate.

Image source, Getty Images

In the first leg in Munich Barca were smacked 4-0 - Thomas Muller scoring twice - and Muller got another one in the Nou Camp as Bayern really rubbed it in.

More of the same tonight?

Who have been the best team in the last 20 years of the Champions League? Your views have been coming in via Twitter, , externaltext and Facebook., external

Kieran James on Twitter: As good as that '94 Ajax team were a lot of those players peaked later at different clubs; Seedorf, Kluivert, Overmars, VdS

Emmanuel on text: Definitely Pep's Barca. Near untouchable in Europe and set the tone for Spain's dominance.

Spanish football expert Graham Hunter on BBC Radio 5 live: "Luis Enrique has a very different relationship with his players compared to Pep Guardiola.

"Guardiola not only explains to his players what he wants then to do, but why he wants them to do it. He impresses on them not just as a manager, but also as a man. He has a Svengali type quality and brings players with him.

"Luis Enrique is very different. I know that there are Barcelona players who believe that they are doing what they have done this season off their own back, without his help."

Image source, Reuters

The visiting fans are in good voice already. But Bayern Munich have only won twice in their last seven away Champions League games (D2 L3) and are winless in their last three on the road in the competition (D1 L2).

The pundits have been thrown somewhat by this Bayern Munich starting XI. They reckon that the German side may well park the bus and hope for the best.

A few teams have tried that at the Nou Camp down the years...

European football writer Andy West at Nou Camp

"He almost certainly won't play, but one interesting footnote on the Barca bench is the inclusion of Thomas Vermaelen.

"The former Arsenal centre-half hasn't played all season after arriving at the Nou Camp injured, but he is finally fit now and named in the squad for the very first time after Jeremy Mathieu pulled out with an Achilles injury.

"Another central defender, Marc Bartra, is also on the bench so it would take something remarkable for Vermaelen to get onto the pitch, but at least he can feel like a footballer again."

Image source, Getty Images

Were Real Madrid right to get rid of Xabi Alonso last summer?

They could have done with him last night...

Neil Lennon
Former Celtic manager on BBC Radio 5 live

"I don't know how things work at Barca but I think that Dani Alves' get-up deserves fining certainly! The funny thing is that Gerard Pique came in immaculate in a three-piece suit and then Dani Alves comes in behind him wearing that get-up!"

Image source, Getty Images

Half and half scarves are normally mocked on these pages but one man who may be buying one tonight is former Brazil right-back Mazinho.

Why's that?

Well his son Thiago is playing for Bayern Munich. And his other son Rafinha is on the bench for Barcelona. Whatever happend he should have no worries getting a ticket for the final in Berlin.

European football writer Andy West at Nou Camp

"Barca's line-up is exactly as expected, and it speaks volumes for the team's change in tactical emphasis this season that Xavi's absence from the starting XI doesn't even raise an eyebrow.

"We know what Barca will do: attack down the wings and use Luis Suarez's movement to create space for Lionel Messi and Neymar to cut inside or - especially in Messi's case - deliver penetrating passes from wide areas.

"Pep Guardiola also knows that, of course, but the home team are playing with such confidence at the moment it will be no straightforward task in stopping them."

Without the injured Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben it's a very narrow looking Bayern Munich XI tonight. I count potentially four deep-sitting midfielders.

Image source, Getty Images

Incredibly, Pep Guardiola was said to be under pressure at Bayern following their quarter-final first leg defeat at Porto last month.

His team then tanked the Portuguese side 6-1 in the second leg and wrapped up the Bundesliga.

He could be the sixth manager to win the Champions League with two different clubs. It's all gone quiet over there...

We are getting your thoughts on the best team to grace the Champions League in the last 20 years.

Marc in Portsmouth, via text: Barcelona for me and the reason? Messi, enough said!

Paul B via Twitter: Yes, Barca were great but the 95-6 Ajax team with Seedorf, Litmanen, both De Boers, Davids, Overmars… more exciting.

Get involved via #bbcfootball, external on Twitter, 81111 on text and the BBC Sport Facebook page., external And you can place your vote on the right-hand side of this page.

Image source, Getty Images

Of course, as well as Lionel Messi being impossible to stop, there's also Luis Suarez and Neymar for Bayern to worry about.

Barca have scored a ludicrous 159 goals in all competitions so far this season - One-Hundred-And-Fifty-Nine! - and Suarez, Messi and Neymar have weighed in with 108.

Incredible.

European football writer Andy West at Nou Camp

"We've got the team news but, when it comes to Pep Guardiola, that doesn't necessarily mean we're any wiser as to how Bayern Munich will actually line up.

"There is a lot of talk in the press room about what Pep might have planned: a midfield diamond? Three at the back? 4-3-3? The versatility of his players - especially Philipp Lahm - means all of those are possible, and we'll have to wait for the game to start to find out.

"In particular, it will be fascinating to see how Guardiola attempts to shackle Lionel Messi, and whether he asks his team to sit deeper and concede more possession than they usually would.

"A chess game awaits."

I thought Dani Alves' outfit at the quarter-final was quite something but the Barcelona right-back has topped it tonight. He's turned up in a bright red blazer, bow tie, massive glasses and three-quarters. Extraordinary.