Xabi Alonso: 'Barcelona favourites to beat Bayern Munich in Champions League'

Bayern Munich midfielder Xabi Alonso has claimed that Barcelona are favourites to win the Champions League semi-final between the sides because of injuries to Robert Lewandowski and Arjen Robben.

The pair are expected to miss next week's first leg at the Camp Nou after suffering problems during Bayern's DFB-Pokal semi-final defeat to Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday.

Lewandowski sustained concussion, a broken nose and a broken jaw during the match, while Robben has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a torn calf muscle.

"Without Lewandowski and Robben, Barca are the bigger favourites," Alonso is quoted as saying by Marca. "But it's fine to say that - you have to prove it on the pitch."

Bayern Munich are back in action on Saturday when they make the trip to Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga.