El Bayern humilló al Barcelona

El Bayern ridiculizó a un Barcelona indefenso con un 2-8 inapelable que volvió a hacer presentes los fantasmas europeos del conjunto azulgrana de las últimas temporadas.

En la primera parte el Bayern fue una aplanadora para el Barcelona y en el minuto 31 ya vencía por un contundente 1-4 (Müller por partida doble, Perisic y Gnabry) a causa de su implacable efectividad ante la portería rival, de una defensa azulgrana endeble y de las constantes pérdidas de los de Quique Setién en la salida del balón.

Aun así, el Barcelona gozó de varias ocasiones de gol para evitar que el resultado fuera tan definitivo en la media parte. Pero ni Suárez en un mano a mano ante el portero ni Messi después de una gran jugada individual consiguieron perforar la meta de Neuer, quien sí fue batido por su compañero Alaba al despejar de forma defectuosa un centro de Alba.

La esperanza regresó en el minuto 56, cuando un recorte de Suárez ante Boateng lo dejó solo dentro del área para fusilar a Neuer y recortar distancias. Pero el sentimiento duró poco.

En el 63, Alphonso Davies se inventó una jugada extraordinaria por la banda izquierda que dejó retratado a Semedo y cedió la pelota a Kimmich para que tan solo la tuviese que empujar para hacer el quinto.

En el 82, Lewandovski puso el sexto con un remate de cabeza y Coutinho,cedido por el Barcelona al Bayern, culminó la goleada con el séptimo y el octavo en el 86 y el 89, respectivamente. EFE

Barcelona humiliated by Bayern Munich

Barcelona 2-8 Bayern Munich – Catalonians exit Europe in embarrassing fashion.

Barcelona are out of the 2019/20 Champions League after being completely humiliated by Bayern Munich with a 8-2 quarter-final defeat on Friday night at the Estadio da Luz in Lisbon.

The Germans dominated in every way possible and could have easily reached double-digits if not for Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who was under fire all evening.

The mistakes committed by Barcelona against Bayern’s high line of pressure made it comically easily for the Bavarians to pour in four first-half goals, before a late onslaught from the Germans added to arguably the most embarrassing night in Blaugrana history.

The big news from coach Quique Setien’s starting XI was the fact that forward Antoine Griezmann started on the bench, with Arturo Vidal getting the nod instead in midfield.

Bayern landed the first blow when an Ivan Perisic cross from the left flank reached Thomas Muller, who played a quick one-two combination with Robert Lewandowski, ending with the former finishing for a 1-0 Bayern lead.

Just minutes after Bayern’s goal, Barcelona struck right back when a Jordi Alba cross intended for Luis Suarez was redirected into the his own net by David Alaba to pull Setien’s men level.

It was almost two for the Catalonians when Luis Suarez was played into the area, only to have Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer spoil the chance. The resulting corner kick saw Lionel Messi curl in a cross that Sergio Busquets failed to connect with and the ball bounced off the post and out.

The pressure from Bayern was troubling Barcelona and a heavy touch from Sergi Roberto led to a quick Bayern break and Perisic hammering a left-footed shot that beat Ter Stegen to hand Bayern a 2-1 advantage.

Bayern smelled blood in the water and some quick, one-touch passing from Goretzka allowed Serge Gnabry to beat Clement Lenglet and finish past Ter Stegen to make it 3-1.

Barcelona’s defensive woes were being exposed time and time again, and it was suddenly 4-1 when Muller got inside of Clement and stabbed home a cross from Joshua Kimmich.

Setien was obligated to make a change during the break, so Griezmann was summoned to replace Sergi Roberto.

Bayern had the first several looks of the half, but no end product, and Barcelona clawed their way back to a two-goal deficit when a sharp move from Suarez ending with a goal and a 4-2 scoreline.

Just when Barcelona were gaining momentum, it came to a screeching halt thanks to some sensational playmaking from Bayern left-back Alphonso Davies.

The young Canadian received the ball on the left flank, left Semedo and his wake and played a cut-back pass to Kimmich, who had the easiest of pushes into net for a 2-5 lead.

Busquets was the second to be replaced, with Ansu Fati coming on for the final 20 minutes. Meanwhile, on the other side, Barcelona loanee Philippe Coutinho got to face his former team after coming on as a late substitute.

The Brazilian made his presence felt by supplying an assist to Lewandowski for the next Bayern goal, which the Polish striker headed in to make it 6-2.

Coutinho then completed the massacre with a pair of finishes past Ter Stegen to round out a 8-2 scoreline that won’t ever be forgotten.

Match Sheet

2.- Barcelona: Ter Stegen; Semedo, Lenglet, Pique, Alba; Busquets (Ansu Fati, min. 70), Sergi Roberto (Griezmann, min. 46), Frenkie de Jong; Arturo Vidal; Messi, Luis Suarez.

8.- Bayern Munich: Neuer; Kimmich, Boateng (Sule, min. 76), Alaba, Davies (Hernandez, min. 84); Thiago, Goretzka (Tolisso, min. 84); Gnabry (Coutinho, min. 75), Muller, Perisic (Coman, min. 67); Lewandowski.

Goals: 0-1, min. 4: Muller; 1-1, min. 7: Alaba (og); 1-2, min. 22: Perisic; 1-3, min. 28: Gnabry; 1-4, min. 31: Muller; 2-4, min. 57: Suarez; 2-5, min. 63: Kimmich; 2-6, min. 83: Lewandowski; 2-7, min. 85: Coutinho; 2-8, min. 89: Coutinho

Referee: Damir Skomina (Slovenia).

Yellow Cards: Boateng (Min. 42) for Bayern Munich, Suarez (Min. 56) for Barcelona, Jordi Alba (Min. 59) for Barcelona, Kimmich (Min. 85) for Bayern Munich

Red cards: None

Stadium: Estadio da Luz

Attendance: 0

By Arch Bell