No club has ever retained the Champions League since the group format was introduced back in 1992, but Catalan giants Barcelona – the current 5/6 outright favourites – will become the first to do so this season.

Barca were the last side to win the tournament in its old guise of the European Cup, with their 1992 win over Sampdoria at Wembley coming thanks to a Ronald Koeman free-kick in extra time at London’s Wembley Stadium.

However, far from heralding the start of years of glory in Europe for the Blaugrana, they then had to wait for 14 painful years before ruling the continent again – with arch-rivals Real Madrid securing three Champions League crowns while Barca were forced to bide their time.

The last six years have been more successful for the Catalans, though, with glory coming in 2006, 2009 and 2011 – and who would bet against them making it to the top again in 2012 in Munich?

Pep Guardiola’s side do, admittedly, look set to relinquish their La Liga title to Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid to end their three-year domestic domination – the capital club hold a six-point advantage with eight games to play, but all that will do is spur Barca on in Europe.

Chelsea (9/1 – Champions League Outright) stand in Barca’s way in the semi-finals of the Champions League with the Blues’ run standing in stark contrast to their problems in the Premier League where a top-four finish is looking to be a tall order.

And while this Chelsea squad looks to be past its sell-by date and an overhaul badly needed, the Stamford Bridge outfit will be hoping to make one last stand in Europe after losing the 2008 final on penalties to Manchester United.

Chelsea will be no pushovers, but if Lionel Messi – the best player on the planet – is firing on all cylinders the Argentine has enough to make sure Barcelona prevail over two legs to set up a final against either Bayern Munich (9/2 – Champions League Outright) or Real Madrid (5/2 – Champions League Outright).

Either opponent throws up a unique challenge to Barca as they will either be playing the Bavarians on their own Allianz Arena patch, or facing the side which is set to steal their Spanish crown.

Both scenarios have the makings of a classic Champions League final, but Barca are good enough going forward to turn the tables to their own advantage by either making Bayern the underdogs in their own ground, or having the last word on the season by seeing off Real to gloss over their imminent La Liga glory.

The Champions League final takes place on Saturday 19th May with a 7:45pm kick off.

Want £200 Free? Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

No club has ever retained the Champions League since the group format was introduced back in 1992, but Catalan giants Barcelona – the current 5/6 outright favourites – will become the first to do so this season.

Barca were the last side to win the tournament in its old guise of the European Cup, with their 1992 win over Sampdoria at Wembley coming thanks to a Ronald Koeman free-kick in extra time at London’s Wembley Stadium.

However, far from heralding the start of years of glory in Europe for the Blaugrana, they then had to wait for 14 painful years before ruling the continent again – with arch-rivals Real Madrid securing three Champions League crowns while Barca were forced to bide their time.

The last six years have been more successful for the Catalans, though, with glory coming in 2006, 2009 and 2011 – and who would bet against them making it to the top again in 2012 in Munich?

Pep Guardiola’s side do, admittedly, look set to relinquish their La Liga title to Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid to end their three-year domestic domination – the capital club hold a six-point advantage with eight games to play, but all that will do is spur Barca on in Europe.

Chelsea (9/1 – Champions League Outright) stand in Barca’s way in the semi-finals of the Champions League with the Blues’ run standing in stark contrast to their problems in the Premier League where a top-four finish is looking to be a tall order.

And while this Chelsea squad looks to be past its sell-by date and an overhaul badly needed, the Stamford Bridge outfit will be hoping to make one last stand in Europe after losing the 2008 final on penalties to Manchester United.

Chelsea will be no pushovers, but if Lionel Messi – the best player on the planet – is firing on all cylinders the Argentine has enough to make sure Barcelona prevail over two legs to set up a final against either Bayern Munich (9/2 – Champions League Outright) or Real Madrid (5/2 – Champions League Outright).

Either opponent throws up a unique challenge to Barca as they will either be playing the Bavarians on their own Allianz Arena patch, or facing the side which is set to steal their Spanish crown.

Both scenarios have the makings of a classic Champions League final, but Barca are good enough going forward to turn the tables to their own advantage by either making Bayern the underdogs in their own ground, or having the last word on the season by seeing off Real to gloss over their imminent La Liga glory.

The Champions League final takes place on Saturday 19th May with a 7:45pm kick off.

Want £200 Free? Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.