Good evening and welcome to LIVE text coverage of one of the most eagerly-anticipated encounters of the season so far. It's Barcelona versus Bayern Munich in the first leg of a mouthwatering Champions League semi-final showdown. The stage is set and the atmosphere around the ground is already intoxicating as some of the world's finest footballers prepare to lock horns on the surface of one of the game's great stadiums. Throw in the Pep Guardiola factor and you've got a clash that is simply unmissable. We've got all the build up and team news right here. Kick off 7.45pm BST.

Lionel Messi has been involved in three of Barcelona’s last five goals against Bayern in the Champions League (2 goals, 1 assist). Can he torment his old boss tonight and cap a century of appearances in Europe with a match-winning display?

Bayern make their 4th straight semi-final appearance in the Champions League which sets a new club record. Only two teams made more consecutive semi-final appearances in CL-history: Barcelona (6 from 2008-2013) and Real Madrid (5 from 2011-today).

Luis Enrique: "I don't think that Pep will have many doubts about what he will face. He knows the players and he knows how I was as a player. There is only one ball, we will both want to have it, and we will see who is on top and copes best on the pitch. I believe it will be one of the most attractive games that you will be able to see in Europe."

VIDEO: Barca v Bayern in numbers.

Official UEFA teamsheet hot off the Nou Camp press complete with formations. Barca go with the 4-3-3 that has served them so well while Bayern appear to be using a flexible 4-3-2-1 turned 4-3-3 system.

No surprises in the Barca line-up as Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar forge that formidable frontline. Bayern are missing a raft of key personnel but are buoyed by the news Robert Lewandowski will feature and could well be wearing a protective mask. The striker broke his nose and jaw during a German cup defeat to Borussia Dortmund but is fit to start. Prior to news of his selection, Lewandowski said: "It's all OK. We'll take a look and see how it is, but I'm not afraid of anything."

Lots of history and pedigree on show this evening. Four-time winners Barca are seeking their eighth final appearance while five-times champions Bayern are targeting their 11th.

It depends on your point of view... Either Dani Alves knows how to make an entrance and stand out amidst a smorgasbord of superstars, or he needs a new stylist!

Bayern include a number of players who featured in that 2013 semi final but Barca are much changed. It's not so long ago, but theres' no doubt there's a new era underway at the Nou Camp.

TWO YEARS AGO: The era of tika-taka was all-but condemned to the history books as Bayern cruised to a rampant 7-0 aggregate success over the Catalans at this stage of the competition back in 2013.

TEAMS - BARCELONA: Ter Stegen, Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Alba, Busquets, Rakatic, Iniesta, Suarez, Messi, Neymar... Subs: Bravo, Xavi, Pedro, Rafinha, Bartra, Adriano, Veramelen. /// BAYERN MUNICH: Neuer, Rafinha, Boateng, Benatia, Bernat, Alonso, Lahm, Schweinsteiger, Thiago, Muller, Lewandowski... Subs: Reina, Dante, Martinez, Pizarro, Gaudino, Götze, Weiser.

The climax of this tie will see one side take their place in the 2015 Champions League final in Berlin's Olympic Stadium. But that fact has been almost overshadowed tonight, with Guardiola's first appearance back at the Camp Nou as an opposing coach taking centre stage. The 44-year-old Catalan won 14 trophies in a remarkable four-year stint at the helm of the club he served as a player with such distinction. During that period 'his' Barcelona emerged as one of the greatest club sides of all-time and many of those stars will be hoping to make it a nightmare return for him this evening.