It was to be the most balanced quarter-final of the Lisbon Championships. It became the most colossal humiliation in European history for Barcelona, swept 8-2 by Bayern. The optimism that flowed torrentially in Munich, like rivers of beer at Oktoberfest, was amply justified by the overwhelming performance of the Flick team which annihilated the Blaugrana more than any other opponent faced in this Champions League season. Barcelona had never conceded 8 goals in a European match. He had not conceded 8 goals ever since the first knockout round of the Spanish Cup with Sevilla in 1946: 74 years have passed. What happened last night at Da Luz is a nightmare never lived. Messi also submerged. The distance challenge with Lewandowski never existed. The Pole scored the momentary 6-2 goal after helping his teammates build success with banks and passes. Now the revolution will begin at the Camp Nou: away president Bartomeu and the coach Setién. That was what Messi wanted. But the Argentine champion would never have wanted to go through such a shipwreck. “We have to change everything, this defeat is unacceptable, it is a shame,” Piqué finally says.
Return without conditions
IThe Catalans ‘momentary equalizer, caused by an own goal by Alaba, was only a hiccup in Bayern’s triumphal march, which began after 4’ when Müller slipped through Ter Stegen for the first time. The balance lasts just a quarter of an hour. Time to see a Messi slalom, concluded by an unusually harmless left-footed shot by the Argentine champion’s standards. An opportunity that Barcelona will end up bitterly regretting given what happens a few seconds later. At 22 ‘Perisic collects an assist from Gnabry and hits Ter Stegen diagonally, not flawless. It is the beginning of the ruinous ten minutes for Barcelona. At 27 ‘Gnabry does not waste a very delicate passage from Goretzka. At 31 ‘Müller signs his double ahead of a very confused Lenglet. The ghosts of the bad nights of Rome and Liverpool materialize again in the last two Champions League. By now Messi and his companions are not limited to being eliminated, but evaporate at the decisive moment. The Blaugrana defense does not exist. Ter Stegen’s perseverance in mistakes with feet is diabolical. The absence of the injured Umtiti, who yesterday also tested positive for coronavirus like his companion Todibo, weighs heavily.
Müller & C, triumphal march
Setién sent Griezmann to replace Sergi Roberto at the start of the second half, taking back the cautious move from the start. The flood is stemmed by Suarez who brings Barcelona back to less humiliating distances. Another illusion: Bayern makes discounts and Kimmich scores 5-2. What happens next is unimaginable: the Catalans leave the field and concede another three goals. Lewandowski enters the scoresheet. And Coutinho (on loan from Barcelona) concedes a brace. It is the ninth consecutive victory in this Champions League for the Bavarians: 39 goals scored and just 8 conceded. Now they become the favorites for the ultimate success. Skomina avoids granting recovery. Last gesture of compassionate respect for a great team that ended in the worst way.
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