Gallery: Eight to watch in Champions League semis

Barcelona’s second-leg win over PSG displayed yet again just how important Lionel Messi is to his squad. Although the Argentine has yet to be cleared to play in the first leg of the semifinals, he has been included in the squad and Barca’s success lies squarely on Messi’s shoulders. (AP/Lalo R. Villar)

While Messi will be relied on to create goals for Barcelona, Andres Iniesta controls the Spanish side’s midfield, where the La Liga leaders dominate. Iniesta and company face a stiff test in Bayern Munich, who boast an equally talented midfield. (AP/Manu Fernandez)
While Messi will be relied on to create goals for Barcelona, Andres Iniesta controls the Spanish side’s midfield, where the La Liga leaders dominate. Iniesta and company face a stiff test in Bayern Munich, who boast an equally talented midfield. (AP/Manu Fernandez)
Real Madrid will need Cristiano Ronaldo, the tournament’s leading scorer with 11, to continue his Champions League dominance, as the Spanish side face a tough test in Borrusia Dortmund. (AP/Andres Kudacki)
Real Madrid will need Cristiano Ronaldo, the tournament’s leading scorer with 11, to continue his Champions League dominance, as the Spanish side face a tough test in Borrusia Dortmund. (AP/Andres Kudacki)

While Ronaldo is the scorer, Argentine national Angel di Maria is Madrid’s set-up man. The 25-year-old winger ranks second in the Champions League in assists with five, and will be essential to quelling Dortmund’s stellar defence. (AP/Andres Kudacki)
While Ronaldo is the scorer, Argentine national Angel di Maria is Madrid’s set-up man. The 25-year-old winger ranks second in the Champions League in assists with five, and will be essential to quelling Dortmund’s stellar defence. (AP/Andres Kudacki)
Marco Reus has been at the head of Borussia Dortmund’s unbeaten run in this year’s Champions League. The 23-year-old German national, deadly from set pieces, leads his team with four tournament goals. (AP/Frank Augstein)
Marco Reus has been at the head of Borussia Dortmund’s unbeaten run in this year’s Champions League. The 23-year-old German national, deadly from set pieces, leads his team with four tournament goals. (AP/Frank Augstein)
The second half of Dortmund’s prolific duo, Mario Gotze will have to be on top of his game in the semifinals. The attacking midfielder’s speed and play-making ability will be vital to his squad’s success against Madrid. (AP/Andres Kudacki)
The second half of Dortmund’s prolific duo, Mario Gotze will have to be on top of his game in the semifinals. The attacking midfielder’s speed and play-making ability will be vital to his squad’s success against Madrid. (AP/Andres Kudacki)
Barcelona’s second leg win over PSG displayed just how important Lionel Messi is to his squad. With the Argentine expected to be healthy and ready to play for the semifinals, Barca’s success lies squarely on Messi’s shoulders. (AP/Lalo R. Villar)
Barcelona’s second leg win over PSG displayed just how important Lionel Messi is to his squad. With the Argentine expected to be healthy and ready to play for the semifinals, Barca’s success lies squarely on Messi’s shoulders. (AP/Lalo R. Villar)
While Messi will be relied on to create goals for Barcelona, Andres Iniesta controls the Spanish side’s midfield, where the La Liga leadeers dominate. Iniesta and company face a stiff test in Bayern Munich, who boast an equally talented midfield. (AP/Manu Fernandez)
While Messi will be relied on to create goals for Barcelona, Andres Iniesta controls the Spanish side’s midfield, where the La Liga leadeers dominate. Iniesta and company face a stiff test in Bayern Munich, who boast an equally talented midfield. (AP/Manu Fernandez)
Bayern Munich’s leading scorer in the Champions League, Thomas Muller, will create the most problems for Barcelona. The German national’s versatility and ability to both create and score goals will be a nightmare for Barca’s banged up defence. (AP/Gurinder Osan)
Bayern Munich’s leading scorer in the Champions League, Thomas Muller, will create the most problems for Barcelona. The German national’s versatility and ability to both create and score goals will be a nightmare for Barca’s banged up defence. (AP/Gurinder Osan)

Bastian Schweinsteiger is to Bayern Munich what Iniesta is to Barcelona. While the 28-year-old is the heartbeat of Munich’s midfield, he can also play out wide should his team need to create chances. (AP/Martin Meissner)
Bastian Schweinsteiger is to Bayern Munich what Iniesta is to Barcelona. While the 28-year-old is the heartbeat of Munich’s midfield, he can also play out wide should his team need to create chances. (AP/Martin Meissner)
Barcelona’s second leg win over PSG displayed just how important Lionel Messi is to his squad. Although the Argentine has yet to be cleared to play in the first leg of the semifinals he has been included in the squad and Barca’s success lies squarely on Messi’s shoulders.(AP/Lalo R. Villar)
Barcelona’s second leg win over PSG displayed just how important Lionel Messi is to his squad. Although the Argentine has yet to be cleared to play in the first leg of the semifinals he has been included in the squad and Barca’s success lies squarely on Messi’s shoulders.(AP/Lalo R. Villar)

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