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Jean-Marie Pfaff: 'Barcelona over-reliant on Lionel Messi'

Former Bayern Munich goalkeeper Jean-Marie Pfaff claims that Barcelona rely too much on Lionel Messi's performances.

Former Bayern Munich goalkeeper Jean-Marie Pfaff has claimed that Barcelona rely too much on Lionel Messi's performances and believes that his former side will edge it in the two Champions League semi-final legs.

Pfaff, who made over 150 appearances for the German side during the 1980s, thinks the current Bundesliga champions have what it takes to reach the final.

The former Belgian shot-stopper believes that if the Argentine's performance drops then so does half the squad's, making Bayern stronger collectively.

"Barcelona are a great team but I believe Bayern Munich are much stronger collectively," Pfaff said, according to Goal.com.

"If Messi doesn't have a good day, half of the Barcelona team isn't good. The striker can be good but if the last pass doesn't come it's difficult.

"I think the whole team of Bayern Munich, from the goalkeeper to any other player can combine very well."

Pep Guardiola will travel to Camp Nou to face his former side in the first leg of the semi-finals on May 6, after Bayern were drawn alongside Barca on Friday afternoon.

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Bayern Munich's Spanish head coach Pep Guardiola (L) looks on during the UEFA Champions League semifinal first leg football match Real Madrid CF vs FC Bayern Munchen at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on April 23, 2014
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona17122350193138
2Real Madrid16113234132136
3Atletico MadridAtletico16105130111935
4Athletic Bilbao1795326151132
5Villarreal157532725226
6Real Sociedad167361611524
7Osasuna166642225-324
8Mallorca177371620-424
9GironaGirona166462223-122
10Celta Vigo166372527-221
11Real BetisBetis165651820-221
12Rayo Vallecano155461516-119
13Sevilla165471723-619
14Las PalmasLas Palmas165382227-518
15Getafe163761113-216
16AlavesAlaves164391827-915
17Leganes163671423-915
18Espanyol1541101528-1313
19Valencia142481322-910
20Real ValladolidValladolid1623111134-239


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