Controversy is seldom far away from the Germans as Bayern Munich have sounded the horn ahead of their UEFA Champions League semi final against French representatives Olympique Lyon. The Bundesliga club overcame Manchester United in the quarterfinals amidst drama and contention over sending offs and disputable decisions. What mattered most in the end was their unflinching spirit and determination that saw them through to book a last four date with Lyon. Manager Louis Van Gaal has already pounced on the fact that their semi final opponents will have an entire week’s rest prior to their second leg in France - something that the Dutchman is claiming as an unfair advantage that FIFA needs to address.

Van Gaal’s pleas will fall on deaf ears but they could be a psychological ploy by the Dutchman to motivate his players to prove a point to the French. Bayern Munich can never be counted out in any situation and that will apply equally to a Champions League semi final that nevertheless, still regards them as the favourites to proceed to the final showpiece. That is mainly due to the club’s history in the tournament and in Europe as a whole. There is more than a shred of truth when observers claim the club has hardly set the football world alight as Bayern have found it increasingly hard to compete with the likes of Manchester United and Barcelona for the world’s best player. German clubs have by and large traded star pulling power for financial stability, a move which could yet be vindicated if they go on to lift the Champions League trophy.

Lyon have been doing everything they can to ensure their chances of coming out ahead of Bayern Munich are as high as possible. They could now either self destruct after reaching a point in the tournament that they have been trying for the last seven years but consistently failed, or go from strength to strength - getting to the final and then winning it all. The latter would likely be quite difficult with Lyon having few players who have had past successful experience in the Champions League. But if one thing has been proven this season, it is that the Ligue One club are not to be underestimated. In fact, it is a trait that they share with Bayern Munich but one that they hope to better. Manager Claude Puel will no doubt be telling his players that they have now proven themselves to be good enough to be one of the four best clubs in Europe, and that they should push themselves further in reaching for the sky and becoming Europe’s club champions. To do that, they must first come away unscathed in the Bayern Munich vs Lyon live streaming UEFA Champions League semi final as the Allianz Arena in Germany is always an intimidating venue to visit. If they pass the test, then the second leg back in France could be the defining moment for the club.