The former Blaugrana coach will face the Blancos once more in the Champions League semi-final, with Madrid fans hoping their club can finally get the better of the Bayern boss. It was somewhat inevitable that their paths would cross once more.

When Pep Guardiola waved Barcelona goodbye in 2012, Real Madrid fans were among the first to wish him a long and happy sabbatical from the game. Such was his effect on the Catalan giants during his four years in charge, Madrillenos were as eager to see the back of him as they conceivably could be.

But, almost two years on, it is Guardiola and Barcelona who once again stand between Real Madrid and success.

First, the Blancos must negotiate their old foes in the Copa del Rey final on Wednesday, and now, thanks to Friday's Champions League semi-final draw, they know that Guardiola's Bayern Munich side will come to town the following week in a bid to halt Madrid's progress towards La Decima while advancing their own tilt at back-to-back European crowns.

Guardiola's rivalry with Madrid was undoubtedly heightened during Jose Mourinho's spell in charge at the Santiago Bernabeu, but there can be no mistaking the fact that Real owe him one. His three titles at Barca curtailed the capital club's short run as Spain's finest under Fabio Capello and Bernd Schuster, but he did more than just that.