It was certainly one of the greatest and most legendary games in the glorious history of FC Bayern: the 2020 Champions League quarter-final against FC Barcelona at the pandemic-related final tournament in Lisbon on August 14, 2020.
The German record champions regularly beat their opponents on the way to Lisbon. In the group phase, which had been flawless with six wins, they inflicted the heaviest home defeats in European Cup history against both Tottenham (with Harry Kane!) with 7:2 and Red Star Belgrade with 6:0. In the round of 16 pulverized Flick’s Bayern beat Chelsea FC by an aggregate score of 7:1 – 3:0 in London, 4:1 six months later in the empty Allianz Arena, just six days before the Barcelona coup. Bayern had already got into the swing of things.
The quarter-final on August 14, 2020 at the Estádio da Luz against Messi, ter Stegen, Griesmann & Co was a demonstration of power by Bayern on the way to the second treble in the club’s history after 2013.
After just 31 minutes, they were sensationally leading 4:1. Each goal was more beautiful than the next and Barcelona could only celebrate the 1:1 equaliser through David Alaba’s own goal. The goal sequence:
0:1 Thomas Müller (4th), 1:1 David Alaba (7th/own goal), 1:2 Ivan Perišić (21st), 1:3 Serge Gnabry (27th), 1:4 Thomas Müller (31st).
And the second half was no different, despite Suárez’s interim 2:4 in the 57th minute. Just six minutes later, Joshua Kimmich restored the old lead after sensational preparatory work by Alphonso Davies, which made the entire Catalan defense look ridiculous. Barça’s resistance and morale were finally broken.
The further goal sequence – 2:6 Lewandowski (82nd), 2:7/2:8 Coutinho (85th/89th) – was just a consequence of Munich’s merciless superiority.
A look at the international press reviews from that time reflects the almost unbelievable events on the pitch and still makes FCB fans proud. Here is a selection from Spain, England, France and Italy:
AS (Spanish): “Historic massacre for Barca. Bayern roll over Barcelona like a steamroller and score four goals in both halves. Even Coutinho scores twice. Barca is in ruins. Barca is humiliated and ridiculed by Bayern. Barcelona is finished. Even Messi was completely overwhelmed. They were incompetent, unable to counter in any aspect. Barca’s opening play was a Greek tragedy. Barcelona have now checked into hell. Mamma Mia Alphonso! He is proving that he is one of the best left-backs in the world. Bayern are shredding Barca.”
SPORTS (Spain): “Historic laughing stock. A ridiculous Barcelona suffers its biggest defeat in Europe. Bayern strips Barca naked. Barcelona is barely recognizable: no football, no fighting spirit and without dignity. Bayern, superior in every respect, makes Barca look like snails. It is the darkest hour in Barca’s history in Lisbon. Ter Stegen was unrecognizable. He radiated no calm. Bayern had no mercy, Barca was a puppet in their hands. What we saw was an authentic Waterloo.”
BRAND (Spain): “A historic humiliation for Barca. Goodbye Setién, but many others will also have to leave. For Barca, it was an empty season with the biggest debacle in their history in Europe. Time to reflect, look at the club’s accounts and see what can be done. A staff that is getting on in years and urgently needs change. And perhaps on all fronts, because last year’s management also needs to be analyzed.
SPORTS WORLD (Spain): For the third year in a row, Barça has made a historic fool of itself in the Champions League. When it seemed that the Roma and Anfield performances could not be surpassed in negative terms, the next night was even more humiliating than the previous two. The 8-2 is a result never seen in recent history, not just at Barça, but in the entire competition. The players who have brought this club to its greatest glory put on a spectacle unworthy of a century-old club like Barça. Today’s humiliation is the most painful in many years.
THE SUN (England): “Barcelona were pounded into a bloody pulp by the unstoppable German champions, who crushed everything in their path. Lionel Messi knows all about utter humiliation. But after a lifetime of sending players to hell himself, he was now on the other side.”
DAILY MAIL (England): „There are results that are about more than just numbers. They become statements, revelations, turning points, bring about change, mark the end of an era. Germany 7-1 Brazil. Bayern Munich 8-2 Barcelona. A club of Barcelona’s size simply cannot lose by conceding eight goals, not in a situation like that. There was nothing cynical about Bayern’s approach. They were simply better, quick on the counterattack, more intelligent, braver, prouder, more hardworking, more determined – in every way the team to beat in this competition.”
THE GUARDIAN (England): “Brilliant Bayern destroy gloomy Barça. The Germans inflict a historic and humiliating defeat on Barcelona in the Champions League.”
GAZZETTA DELLO SPORT (Italy): It was supposed to be a duel of giants, but it turned into a German lesson. A sporting humiliation. Bayern are clearly stronger today than a disorganized Barcelona, who they beat with a fearsome 8:2. They are more organized, more of a team, more confident in their tactical identity. More everything. In Lisbon, Barca ended a season without titles with a historic embarrassment. Bayern, on the other hand, are strengthening their candidacy for the treble after winning the Bundesliga and the German Cup. Former coach Guardiola will be the next obstacle, if Lyon allows it.
CORRIERE DELLO SPORT (Italy): Bayern Munich humiliates Barcelona from start to finish and now awaits the victorious Manchester City team against Lyon. Bayern are superior in everything and qualify thanks to their offensive power and the defensive embarrassment of Barca, which finally gives up, capitulates and tragically falls under the blows of Bayern. Among the protagonists of the evening is also Ivan Perisic: the former Inter player, particularly inspired, directs the first goal and scores the 2-1. For the Blaugrana it is a season to forget, which ends with zero titles.
THE TEAM (France): “A historic lesson. Bayern humiliates Barça and reaches the semi-finals. FC Bayern impressively and ruthlessly completely destroyed FC Barcelona on Friday evening in the Estádio da Luz (8:2). The Germans have advanced to the last four and are now waiting for Olympique Lyon or Manchester City in the semi-finals. What a massacre!”
The FIGARO (France): “The incredible power of Bayern, the biggest thrashing for Barca. Bayern without mercy. Munich staged a barrage of fire according to all the rules of the art.”
THE MONTH (France): “Bayern blows up Barcelona. Now they are favourites to win the title like never before. The Catalans are leaving Lisbon after a debacle like never before.”
And then there was a legendary game against FC Barcelona in 2013. The press comments were not so different…
Cover photo: The game was probably (too) confusing for the Portuguese organizers. For example, when the final score was 2:8 from Barcelona’s perspective, not all of Bayern’s goal scorers were listed on the scoreboard. Kimmich and Gnabry will have gotten over it.
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