SUPERB FINISHING: Bayern Munich’s Arjen Robben (second right) scores past Barcelona’s goalkeeper Victor Valdes during their Champions League semi-final first leg match at Arena stadium in Munich. — Reuters photo
Bundesliga champs on verge of final after routing Spanish giants 4-0
MUNICH, Germany: Bayern Munich are on the verge of their third Champions League final in four years after routing Barcelona 4-0 in Tuesday’s semi-final, first leg at the Allianz Arena.
It was the Spanish giants’ worst Champions League defeat since the 4-0 loss to Dynamo Kiev in the group stage in 1997.
Germany star Thomas Mueller was Barca’s chief tormentor with a goal in each half while striker Mario Gomez and Dutch winger Arjen Robben also netted to give Bayern a huge advantage for the return leg at the Camp Nou on May 1.
“They thrashed us,” admitted Barca defender Gerard Pique. “It is almost impossible, but we have to show face in the return leg.”
In contrast, Bayern, who are bidding to become the first German team to win a treble of European as well as domestic league and cup titles, were buoyant.
“That’s crazy, hard to believe,” said Robben. “They’ve dominated Europe in the last few years and then we go and win 4-0. The key was we fought and defended together.”
But Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes warned the job is only half done.
“Of course, we’re all very happy about the win, especially the size of the margin. We were first-class,” he said. “But we know we still have 90 minutes ahead of us in Spain.
“We want to enjoy tonight, but nothing more.”
An exceptional day for Bayern got off to an unusual start when it was announced they had signed young Germany star Mario Goetze from arch-rivals Borussia Dortmund for a reported 37 million euros (US$48.1 million).
Then it was reported that, in March, club president Uli Hoeness, caught up in a tax evasion scandal, was arrested and released on bail after a police raid on his home, but he was at the Allianz Arena to witness an incredible night.
Barcelona’s Argentine superstar Lionel Messi started, despite struggling with a hamstring injury since the start of the month, but the World Player of the Year was a shadow of his usual self.
Bayern had an early penalty appeal turned down, but the hosts went ahead when Robben’s lobbed cross from a corner was headed across goal by centre-back Dante for Mueller to place his header inside the far post on 24 minutes.
Dante came to his side’s rescue at the other end five minutes later to get a toe to a Pedro Rodr guez cross from the right that was heading straight for Messi at the back post.
And Bayern doubled their lead in the 49th minute as Gomez struck with his sixth goal in his last three games.
Again, the Barcelona defence failed to deal with a corner as Robben’s ball from the right was nodded down by Mueller for Gomez to volley home on 49 minutes.
Dutchman Robben, who had been a constant menace to the Barca defence, grabbed the third on 73 minutes, skipping past Jordi Alba on the right before sliding his shot past Victor Valdes from a tight angle.
However, the Barcelona players were furious and protested to the referee as Alba had been body-checked by Mueller as he chased Robben inside the box.
“The referee didn’t have an influence,” admitted Pique after. “They were just quicker, stronger, better.”
With the Barcelona defence in a shambles, Bayern grabbed the fourth on 82 minutes when Franck Ribery and David Alaba combined on the left for the latter to whip in a low ball which Mueller slid into the net for his second.
Despite the advantage, Bayern know how tough life could be at the Camp Nou, having lost 4-0 on their last Champions League
visit to Barcelona in the 2009 quarter-final, first leg which they went on to lose 5-1 on aggregate. — AFP