In case you missed it, here are the highlights from Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League action.
The result
Match highlights: Barcelona 0, Bayern Munich 3
The day’s main talking points:
1. Flawless performance from Bayern: If there were any doubts that there was a new bully on the block, surely Bayern Munich erased them on Wednesday, rolling to a convincing and easy win at the Camp Nou to take the tie 7-0 on aggregate. This was a master-class performance from the Bavarians, who outplayed and out-thought their Catalan hosts over the two legs. Bayern didn’t press the issue from the get-go on Wednesday, realizing that patience was required to ride out the early Barcelona storm. They sat back and ably absorbed the pressure, getting to halftime without conceding a goal. Then with Barcelona pressing forward to start the second half, Bayern hit out on the counter-attack with more purpose and put three goals past goalkeeper Victor Valdes. At the other end, Bayern put on a defensive clinic, smothering Barcelona whenever they got sight of goal and limiting them to half chances. When they lost the ball, Bayern compressed to deny any space between the Barcelona players. Barcelona enjoyed 58 per cent possession on the day, but they never really threatened, effectively shut down by Bayern in the final third.
2. Messi on the bench: Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova decided to leave Lionel Messi on the bench to start the game, a decision that drew criticism in some quarters. Down 4-0 after the first leg and in desperate need of goals, why wouldn’t Vilanova include the best player on the planet in his starting line-up? The answer lies in the Catalans’ last two games. Although still hampered by a lingering hamstring injury, Messi started last week in Germany but was far from his best as he laboured on the pitch. This past weekend, with his team trailing 1-0 against Athletic Bilbao, Messi came of the bench in the 59th to transform his side, scoring one sensational goal and setting up another – although it has to be pointed out Barcelona ended up settling for a draw. Still, it’s clear that Vilanova was looking for a repeat of Saturday, hoping that Barcelona could knick a goal or two before bringing Messi on at the start of the second half. Strategy-wise it made more sense to use Messi off the bench, as opposed to having him start. Even though Messi’s teammates couldn’t find a way through the stingy Bayern back line, it’s hard to imagine the final result would have been any different had Messi been in the starting 11.
3. Yellow cards: No less than six Bayern Munich players were on yellow cards ahead of this match, which meant if they were cautioned against Barcelona they would be suspended for the final on May 25. Bayern manager Jupp Heynckes had Luiz Gustavo, Dante and Mario Gomez on the bench, and started Philipp Lahm, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Javi Martinez. It seemed a bit of a gamble to start both Lahm and Schweinsteiger, key figures to the Bayern cause, and risk losing them for the upcoming encounter at Wembley against Borussia Dortmund. And it was also a bit of a head-scratcher to see Heynckes in the second half replace Schweinsteiger with Gustavo, instead of someone else who wasn’t a booking away from being suspended. But credit to Heynckes for getting his tactics spot on, and realizing he needed some of his core players on the field from the opening kickoff in order to see this series out, even with a 4-0 lead from the first leg.
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Six pack of facts
No team has ever overturned a 4-0 deficit after the first leg of a Champions League knockout game.
Barcelona has only won one of their eight competitive matches against Bayern Munich (two draws and five losses).
Before Wednesday, Barcelona was unbeaten in their previous 21 Champions League games at Camp Nou (16 wins and five draws).
Bayern Munich has won their last four Champions League games without conceding a single goal.
Arsenal’s Laurent Koscielny is the last player to score against Bayern Munich in the Champions League — that was 365 minutes ago.
Barcelona has won only one of their last seven Champions League games (three draws and three losses).
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Goal of the day
Arjen Robben’s opener for Bayern in the 49th minute was a beauty. David Alaba played a long pass out to the right, and Robben expertly cut inside Barcelona defender Adriano and curled the ball into the far corner past a helpless Victor Valdes.
Save of the day
In the 24th minute, Pedro Rodriguez unleashed a powerful and rising shot from distance that Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer did well to tip over the crossbar.
Sportsnet’s play of the day
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Tweet of the day
It’s not that Barcelona is over. But ‘that’ Barcelona is over. Doesn’t mean we won’t see another great Barcelona – but is difficult though
— Tancredi Palmeri (@tancredipalmeri) May 1, 2013
Burning questions
Who is the early favourite to win the Champions League final: Bayern Munich of Borussia Dortmund?
What does Barcelona have to do in the off-season to rebuild and get back to its “old self”?
How can Pep Guardiola improve this Bayern side when he takes over in the summer?
What is Tito Vilanova’s future at Barcelona?
3 stars
1) Thomas Mueller: He scored Bayern’s third goal and posed constant problems for Barcelona’s defence throughout the game with his intelligent runs and support play of striker Mario Mandzukic.
2) Arjen Robben: If the tie wasn’t over the first leg, it certainly was after Robben broke the deadlock early in the second half. Barcelona had trouble with the quick and tricky Dutchman.
3) David Alaba: An unsung hero for Bayern who was solid in defence but also lent his expertise to the counter-attack. He also played that fabulous pass to set up Robben’s opening goal.
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