If this was a transfer of power, and in the second half it certainly felt meaningful, it was a violent and emphatic one. Barcelona were soft and predictable in possession, creating no chances and hopeless at the back. They were utterly devoid of the controlled intensity which brought their European Cup triumphs of 2009 and 2011 as well as, almost certainly, four of the last five Spanish titles.
Bayern, though, played with the skill, bravery and ruthlessness of European champions. For the first hour they held Barcelona at arm’s length, not allowing them a single opportunity while scoring identical muscular goals after 25 and 49 minutes; Arjen Robben crosses, set-up headers and close finishes from Thomas Müller and Mario Gomez respectively.
Once they knew the giant was stumbling, though, Bayern went for the kill. With pace and confidence Barcelona are not used to facing, they scored twice on the break in the final 20 minutes to almost ensure their place at Wembley next month.
Bayern came into the game buoyed, as any club would be, by their capture of wunderkid Götze this summer. If that confirmed their off-pitch supremacy, this was the test of their current team. Even without the injured Toni Kroos, the Bavarians certainly have the players. Their midfield five was a perfect mix of control and explosion. This was more about whether, on their ground where they blew the final last summer, they had the nerve to win.
This game was there to be taken. Barcelona, despite their gaping La Liga lead, have lost some of their vigour and some of their aura. Both Milan and Paris Saint-Germain had chances to put them out. In both ties they needed late rallies at the Nou Camp to go through, after poor performances away. They have, despite everything, won just three of their last 14 away knockout games over the past four years.
The onus, then, was on Bastian Schweinsteiger and Javi Martinez to set the tempo and seize control. They nearly did precisely that after just two minutes, Martinez’s dart forward and backheel to Arjen Robben making the first chance, which Robben hit at Victor Valdes’ legs.
Barcelona settled themselves with a soothing spell of possession, but never had much direction. Bayern played with more incision when the authoritative Schweinsteiger or Martinez won it back. With quick wingers and full-backs at their disposal, they forced half a dozen first-half corners and might have had a penalty for hand-ball, playing with the brisk width and muscularity which Barcelona did not like and which put them ahead after 25 minutes.
Robben, who might not have started had Kroos been fit, received Müller’s lay-off and crossed with his weaker right foot. Brazilian defender Dante, towering at the far post, headed back across goal and 2010 World Cup Golden Boot winner Müller, with a sharper nose for goal than anyone in this team, headed past Victor Valdes. The Allianz Arena, loud enough already, started to outdo itself.
Bayern, invigorated by the lead and the noise, picked up their intensity further, winning every tackle and pushing Barcelona back. They continued to trouble Barcelona centre-back Marc Bartra, who was booked soon before the break, and looked far more likely to score with each attack. When the first half ended with Bayern only 1-0 up, they were frustrated that it was not more.
They need not have worried. Bayern resumed with the same intensity and pace as they finished the first half, and after just three more minutes they scored the second they deserved. Another Robben cross, another back-post header and another close-range follow up; Bayern were just stronger and sharper in the box.
This time it was an inswinging left-footed corner from Robben, which Müller rose above Dani Alves at the far post to head across goal. Gomez, on the line and probably off-side, swivelled and volleyed in, to more roars.
Bayern knew they could assure their place at Wembley with one more swift blitz. So they went for it, running at Barça with glee and disrespect. Müller cut inside from the right and dragged a shot just wide.
Robben set himself to shoot but fed Franck Ribéry, who missed the target. Robben, on a night of uncharacteristic selflessness and bravery, even won a header from a free-kick which flew just beyond the far post.
It was only after an hour of flat, slow sterile football that Barcelona started to find some rhythm, passing well and at least obliging Bayern to defend their own penalty area.
Their first chance came in the 69th minute when Bartra stabbed a shot at Manuel Neuer but this was extremely thin stuff from a side who can play like Barcelona have over the past few years. Jupp Heynckes, though, was quick to act, adding an extra midfielder in Luis Gustavo for Gomez.
It worked perfectly, Gustavo making an interception on the edge of his box which set up the break which brought the crucial third. The ball went to Schweinsteiger, 25 yards out, and he passed right to Robben. Enjoying one of the games of his life after missing a penalty in the final defeat to Chelsea last year, Robben tore into the box, was gifted space from Müller blocking Jordi Alba, and curled the ball into the far bottom corner.
When giants tumble they do so with a crash. Barça had lost all control and Bayern finished them off with a fourth which should send them to the final. Another swift move ended with David Alaba bounding forward and whipping a cross to the near post. Müller, far more dangerous than Barcelona’s centre-forward, ran in between Valdes and Alba and slid the ball in for the implausible fourth. The 68,000 crowd, knowing they were part of something special, erupted through the last eight minutes, cheering passes and singing about the final.
Follow us on Telegram
t.me/apanewsaz
Follow us on Instagram
Follow us on TikTok
Follow us on Facebook
Follow us on X
