Pep Guardiola is looking forward to returning home after the Champions League semi-final draw pitted Bayern Munich against Barcelona, yesterday.

There was an audible gasp at UEFA’s headquarters in Nyon when the Spaniard’s current side were drawn against the club with whom he achieved so much as both player and manager.

Guardiola’s four-season spell at the Barca helm yielded 14 trophies, including two triumphs in the Champions League – something he will now look to deny them.

The eyes of the footballing world will be trained on the Nou Camp on May 6, when he leads Bayern out for the first leg of a tie which will decide who progresses to the Berlin finale.

“I knew it would happen sooner or later,” Guardiola told reporters.

“It’s my first return to Barce-lona, my home. I was there as player, I was there as coach.

“Of course, it is special for me, for Thiago (Alcantara, who also left Barca for Bayern), for my staff. I am very happy that I can experience this.

“It is a nice game, but not easy. Believe me, Barcelona are the strongest!

“I’m happy for Luis Enrique. He’s a great coach, a great guy, a great man. We will definitely try to play the final in our capital.”

Guardiola and Enrique played alongside one another for many years at the Nou Camp, winning a host of medals together.

Now they will sit in opposite dugouts in a tie which Barca coach Enrique is understandably excited about.

“It’s a special game because Guardiola is their coach,” he said.

“It will be the first time he comes back to face the club. It will also be special for the players.

“Guardiola is the best because he’s won so many titles, because of the way he did it, and because he’s adapted to another country with a very difficult language and he’s implanted his ideas.”

As if Guardiola’s return was not exciting enough, the draw opens up the possibility of a first ever Barcelona vs Real Madrid final.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side overcame city rivals Atletico to secure a fifth successive semi-final appearance, where Juventus will look to halt their quest to become the first side to retain the Champions League.

The ‘Old Lady’ have the best record of all the semi-finalists, having progressed to the final on seven of their 10 appearances at this juncture.

“At this stage of the competition, all of the sides are difficult,” former Juve boss Ancelotti said.

“Juventus is a club that have a legendary history and it is returning to a semi-final after 12 years. They are having a very good season and have practically won the Italian league.

“That means they can focus more on the Champions League.

“We are confident that we can follow our dream in Europe, which is to reach another final after last year.

“We need Real Madrid to be at their best to win, we need the same side that played against Atletico, with the same enthusiasm and hope. We have a lot of confidence.”

Sevilla vs Fiorentina

Spanish team Sevilla, the Europa League holders, will take on Fiorentina for a place in this season’s final.

Retaining the title will see the Spanish club win the competition for a record fourth time, although overcoming the Italian team will be a big ask.

Fiorentina overcame Tottenham, Roma and Dynamo Kiev en route to the last four and have home advantage for the second leg.

The other semi-final sees Rafael Benitez’s Napoli take on Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk, of Ukraine, for a place in the Warsaw final, which takes place on May 27.

Semi-final pairings in Nyon…

Champions League
Juventus (Italy) vs Real Madrid (Spain) - Tuesday, May 5
Barcelona (Spain) vs Bayern Munich (Germany) - Wednesday, May 6

Return legs: May 12 and 13. Final: Berlin, June 6.

Europa League
Napoli (Italy) vs Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk (Ukraine)
Sevilla (Spain) vs Fiorentina (Italy)

Ties: May 7 and 14.

Final: Warsaw, May 27.

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