By David Awopetu
Bayern Munich totally embarrassed Barcelona and sent out an emphatic message to their Champions League rivals with an absolute demolition of fellow European heavyweights in a gloriously chaotic and utterly one-sided quarter-final tie in Lisbon.
The high-pressing, energetic and ruthless German champions were on a different level to their Spanish rivals, as they have been for every opponent they have faced in Europe this season and in every competition since football restarted in June.
The match got off to a cracking start with Thomas Muller putting Bayern ahead early and David Alaba conceding an own goal to Barcelona minutes later to put the scoreline at 1-1 inside of the opening 10 minutes.
The following 22 minutes took the game away from Barca, with Ivan Perisic smashing in a deflected second for Bayern before Serge Gnabry finished off a delightful ball over the top from Leon Goretzka, and Muller poked in his second at the near post.
A neat turn and finish from Luis Suarez after the break gave the Spanish side hope, but this was snuffed out by arguably the pick of the goals – a Joshua Kimmich side-foot finish following some stunning skill and speed and excellent delivery from Alphonso Davies.
Robert Lewandowski headed his 14th Champions League goal in just eight games before salt was poured into Barca’s deep wounds as Philippe Coutinho – on loan from the Spanish side – netted a seventh and eighth via close-range finishes after coming off the bench.
After the match, Barca defender, Gerard Pique, said, “I’m in pain. We all are. We can’t compete like that. It’s very, very tough to take. Nothing more is worth saying. The club needs changes. Not just the players, I don’t want to point out anyone.”
“It’s tough to explain,” said Muller, after the match. “I think in this moment, our team is in incredible shape.”
Hansi Flick’s side, who are 9-0 in the Champions League this season, now await the winner of Saturday’s match between Manchester City and Lyon to see who they’ll face in the semifinals on Wednesday.
