Pep Guardiola seeks to outwit 'old friends' at Barcelona in Champions League homecoming

Pep led the Spanish side to 14 trophies between 2008 and 2012 and is back with Bayern Munich for a Champions League first-leg semi-final

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Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola returns to the Camp Nou where he won two Champions League titles as Barcelona manager. Photo: AP

Published: 12:45am, 6 May 2015Updated: 12:53am, 6 May 2015

Pep Guardiola will return to the Camp Nou with the away side for the first time today as Barcelona's most successful coach takes Bayern Munich to the Catalan stronghold in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final.

As a player Guardiola was a key cog of the Barca side that won their first ever European Cup in 1992. And as a coach he led the club to 14 trophies, including two Champions Leagues titles during a glorious four-year spell between 2008 and 2012.

These games are surrounded by tension given what you are playing for and because it is just one step from the final

Andres Iniesta

However, he now must find a way to outwit former teammate and friend, the Barcelona coach Luis Enrique, and a host of his former charges who are in sensational form.

Having won 26 of their last 28 games in all competitions, Barca are on course to repeat the historic treble of La Liga, Champions League and Copa del Rey which they won in Guardiola's first season in charge.

"There is a good relationship there, because we've known each other for so long," said Barca midfielder Andres Iniesta.

"We went through a lot together and, therefore, it will be nice and special for everyone."

Barcelona's Andres Iniesta is relishing a reunion with his old boss. Photo: AP

The tie could even see brothers come face-to-face as former Barca midfielder Thiago Alcantara returns to his former club where younger brother Rafinha is now a first-team regular.

Revenge could also be on Barca's minds, though, as they suffered their heaviest ever European defeat in a 7-0 aggregate thrashing by Bayern at this stage of the competition two years ago.