What a display by Bayern Munich against Barcelona! The Bavarians have inflicted a beating to the Catalans too reliant on an invisible Messi (4-0). Read our full match report with player ratings and highlights and tell us what you think.

Match Report

Seriously threatened by PSG in the quarter-finals and close to an elimination, Barça had to face an obstacle even bigger yesterday at the Allianz Arena. Still remembering their defeat in the final stage his last season, Bayern Munich wanted to do well.

By imposing an intense physical game and exerting a huge pressure together on the ball carrier, the teammates of Ribery have shaken the Blaugrana, still masters of the ball possession early in the game, but unable to attack forward.

Logically, therefore, it is Bayern who fired first at the 2nd minute with Robben. More explosive,  Munich using the width of the pitch and counter attacked to create dangerous chances in front of the goal of Valdes. Lahm also shot from a distance (15). Then there was a handball by Pique in the penalty area, but the referee did not flinch. A controversy that has not prevented the Germans from getting justice.

Faced with a transparent Messi and pressuriezd by opposing defenders, Bayern accumulated corners and eventually made a difference on one of them. Imperial in the air, Dante rose and passes to Müller and allows the German to open the score (1-0, 25th). A deserved lead for Munich.

After the break, on another corner, Bayern won another corner and this time it’s and Müller who serves Gomez for the second goal (2-0, 49th). 

On two occasions, the young Bartra had the opportunity to shine (69th, 76th), but it is an acceleration of Ribery on the flank that leads to Robben beating Valdesfor the third goal (3-0, 73 ).

Rarely humiliated in this way and for its sixth consecutive semifinal Barcelona did not expect, however, such punishment when Müller, once again, came to score a fourth goal after a cross by Alaba (4-0, 82nd).

The football lesson is complete and this show of force against Barcelona certainly guarantees Bayern a ticket to the final unless we see an incredible turnaround at Camp Nou.

Player ratings

Man of the Match:

Thomas Müller (9)

A will to win, amazing tackles in every way and an offensive presence at all times. Logically rewarded for his efforts. Author of an assist on the second goal for Bayern, he tormented the defense of Barça for 90 minutes and is logically given a second goal following a precise Alaba pass after missing the boat a few moments earlier . Simply Perfect Replaced by Claudio Pizzarro (83) to the cheers of the Allianz Arena.

Bayern Munich:

Neuer (6):

the German goalkeeper had a very quiet evening against Barcelona apart from perhaps a shot by Bartra (69). Almost never worried Neuer had finally found the evening very long.

Lahm (8):

changes in rhythm, percussion. Lahm was almost unplayable on his right side in the first period. Less prominent during the last 45 minutes, he was content to defend well and let the Bavarian attackers explode the Barca defense.

Boateng (7):

Strong in the air, and this in duels, Boateng has had a rather quiet evening.

Dante (8):

three beautiful interventions before Messi (5th, 28th, 68th). Power and physical presence in the area on set pieces which really hurt  Barca. A whim deciding on the opener Muller. A very big game from the former Lille player impeccable last night.

Alaba (8):

in the showdown against Pedro, the Austrian side has perfectly muzzled the Catalan winger. Ultimately very little waste in the game and delivered a beautiful pass on the decisive fourth goal for Bayern.

Javi Martínez (8):

very rough, the former defensive midfielder of Bilbao did not give up and did not hesitate to fight to win the battle in the middle. Logically warned for his physical game (46th), he ruled as master in midfield leaving only crumbs to his opponents.

Schweinsteiger (8):

the German metronome made a huge showdown in midfield. If he is not the most spectacular player, he cleared balls cleanly and stifled the middle of Barcelona with Javi Martinez. Warned late in the game.

Müller (9):

see above- Man of the match.

Ribery (8):

he played very low and sacrificed himself by making a nice defensive work especially against Daniel Alves. Result, little offensive impact and duels won for 70 minutes until this amazing 60 meters race giving the third goal to Robben.  A full match from the French international who proved tonight that he is more than your ordinary winger. Replaced by Xherdan Shaqiri (88).

Robben (8):

The Dutch  was unrecognizable. Not only was he not reluctant to defensive duties, but has shown unusual selflessness. Sharp from the start of the match on a fine shot blocked by Valdes in the (second) surface, he is at he origin of the opener. Able to ignite an acceleration for a breakthrough like at the 54th minute and this pass Ribery. Icing on the cake, he scored the third goal with a beautiful  shot after a Barcelona defender was beaten.

Gomez (7):

if he is not the fastest player in Europe, the German international striker is a towering giant. He scored the second goal for his team with a shot at close range (48), he weighed on the Barcelona defense. Booked for a foul on Messi  (37th), he was replaced by Luiz Gustavo (70th) who did not need to force his talent to block the rare offensive attempts of the Blaugrana.

Barcelona:

Valdés (4)

The Catalan keeper clearly paid the price of the deficiencies of his defense in the air on two of the three goals conceded when it was not the referee who forgot to whistle an offside on Gomez. A painful evening.

Alves (3):

the Brazilian  lived a nightmare. he was muzzled by the incessant defensive returns of Ribery. Preceded by Dante on the opener and Müller on the second Bavarian goal the blaugrana defender paid the price for his defensive frailties.

Piqué (3)

in the absence of Puyol, he acted as a firefighter on duty trying to be everywhere to fill the gaps. But last night his record was terrible. Overwhelmed defensively, he then tried to catch up . In vain.

Bartra (3)

the young defender tried to play simple, without taking risks early in the game. But that was before the German machine started operating. Often helped by Pique,overwhelmed by Ribery on the last goal of Bayern, he also missed two big opportunities to reduce the score (69th, 76th).

Alba (3)

He had to defend throughout the match against a Robben on fire. He made some good defensive comebacks, but ended up being beaten on the third and fourth  goals. Booked, he is suspended for the next game.

Busquets (3.5):

Last night the Spaniard was crushed by the physical opponents. Under pressure, he was powerless to counter the waves of the Munich offensive force.

Xavi (4)

against the intensity imposed by tMunich, he had to be available. But his passes were often made backwards. In addition, with an invisible Messi and wingers muzzled,he could not create chances.

Iniesta (4),

like Xavi, he had the ball, circulated it well, but never create any danger in the Bayern zone. He never managed to go through the Bavarian net.

Pedro (3.5)

apart from a pass to Messi, nothing to report. Perfectly controlled by the defense, he has never been in the firing position. Replaced by Villa (83).

Sanchez (3):

Invisible, the Chilean had no real chances.

Messi (2)

A ghost! Completely transparent, invisble. The Argentine perhaps should not have played this game. Besides an incredible defensive work of the Bavarians, he could not do anything without being 100%. He has not even fired once at the goal in the first period! An heresy for a player like Messi.

This is what he said after the game:

“It was some days since I played and I didn’t feel 100% comfortable but I was not injured, so I could play.It’s 4-0 andit will be difficult because they area great team.But we’ll try to score at home and do our best.We must go on. Now we must win la Liga soon.”

The highlights of the game below: