Barcelona won't crumble to Bayern again - Bartra

The defender says the Catalans were struggling for fitness when the Bavarians smashed them two years ago and is certain history won't repeat itself.Barcelona defender Marc Bartra is convinced history won't repeat itself when they come up against Bayern Munich in their upcoming Champions League semi-final.The Catalans were thrashed 7-0 by the Bavarians two years ago at the same stage of the European competition and were drawn against them once again this May.

In addition to it being an opportunity for Lionel Messi and Co. to get revenge on the reigning German champions, the Barca players will come up against former coach Pep Guardiola for the first time since he left in 2012.

Barca are favourites to conquer Bayern this time because their form and fitness – Bayern were knocked out of the DFB-Pokal on Tuesday when key players such as Arjen Robben and Robert Lewandowski were injured.

Bartra featured in the 3-0 and 4-0 defeats to Bayern in 2013 and he is adamant the circumstances are wildly different right now under Luis Enrique, who has the best win rate of any Camp Nou coach after 50 games.

“Bayern were having an outstanding end to the season and our situation was the polar opposite,” he told reporters.

“We had a number of injuries, weren't physically at our best, and when that happens things don't always go the way you want. The best thing to do is learn from it and become a better player.

“Even with injuries, Bayern are still a strong side, we have the utmost respect for them. We're in better physical condition than we were two years ago, when we weren't in the best shape.

“What's important is that we've it made this far and we're in good shape. It isn't going to be easy, but we're doing to do our very best.

“In Europe – especially in the semi-finals – no team can be favourites because so many things could happen.”

Before hosting Bayern in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final next Wednesday, Barca travel to Cordoba as they look to extend or hold on to their two-point lead over Real Madrid in La Liga.