FT - Champions league | Bayern munich 4 - 0 Barcelona
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90 +2
Andrés Iniesta Luján
90 +1
Make no mistake about it though, this scoreline does not
flatter the German champions whatsoever. They surely must be considered
favourites for the Champions League with this win.
89
Jordi Alba
89
Franck Ribéry 
Xherdan Shaqiri
89
This is Barcelona we're seeing here, isn't it? Could we be
as bold as to say that the Catalan side are now out of the Champions
League, despite having the full second leg to play?
88
Dear oh dear, tempers boil over as Alba throws the ball
off the face of Robben. He's a lucky boy as he just receives a booking
for the offence, but he will now MISS the second leg at Camp Nou.
Another blow for Barca.
87
Bastian Schweinsteiger87
Alexis Sánchez
85
Thomas Muller comes off to a hero's ovation from the
Allianz Arena crowd as he's replaced by Claudio Pizarro. Meanwhile David
Villa comes on for Pedro for Barca. Not a lot of time to make an
impact.
Pedro David Villa
Thomas Müller Claudio Pizarro
D. Alaba
Goal
Thomas Müller
Just over 12 minutes left for Barca to get back in this
tie. If they can get an away goal, it will change the whole complexion
of the next leg at Camp Nou. Still plenty of time...
76
BARTRA!!!OHHHHH WHAT A MISS!! The ball breaks to the Barca
defender at the back post from a set-piece but he panics and balloons
the ball over from six yards! What a chance that was!
74
There was some controversy in that!! It looked like
Muller deliberately blocked off Alba when Robben burst into the box!
Definite foul there! That shouldn't have stood!
73
Bastian Schweinsteiger
73
Goal
Arjen Robben
73
GOOOOOOOAAAAAAAL FOR BAYERN MUNICH!!!3-0!!! Schweinsteiger
slides the ball out to Robben who takes on Jordi Alba before cutting
inside from the byline and curling a superb finish into the bottom left
corner!
71
Mario Gomez Luiz Gustavo Dias
71
Speak of the devil! Neuer comes off his line to make a superb punch out of the box, and Bayern can counterattack here!
70
First change of the match comes from Bayern. Goalscorer,
Mario Gomez, comes off to be replaced by Luis Gustavo. A slightly
defensive change from Jupp Heyneckes?
Wasteful again from Alexis Sanchez. The Chilean has picked
up possession a few times in the last couple of minutes but lost the
ball with a pass inside and then a directionless cross to the back ost.
64
Great defending from Boateng. Messi comes deep to receive
the ball and lays it neatly out wide to Alves who whips a teasing cross
to the back post. Pedro looks poised to head in but the former
Manchester City defender managed to stretch out his neck to glance the
ball away.
62
This is Barca's best period of possession in the second
half, but again it's lacking in some imagination. Whenever the ball
comes to the feet of Messi or Iniesta they are instantly hounded and
hunted by the Bayern defence and mifield.
61
I mentioned the workrate of Ribery in the first half but
the same must be said for Robben in the opposite flank. When was the
last time we seen the Dutchman put in such a superb defensive shift?
They really want this victory, do Bayern, they crave it.
60
Lahm sums up the superb attitude of the Bayern players as
he hustles ad harries Iniesta down at the corner flag before eventually
sliding in and earning a throw-in for his team.
Barca are just getting back into their passing game again
now, which is strange to think considering we are almost 15 minutes into
the second half. They just haven't managed to recycle possession as
well as usual tonight, mainly due to the valiant pressing of Bayern.
56
Just wide!! Another warning sign is given to Barca as the
free kick is whipped in and Robben rises above everyone to glance a
header at goal that goes just wide of the right-hand post. Valdes would
have had no chance if the attempt was on target.
55
Another set-piece for Barca to defend as Dani Alves cynically takes out Muller on the right-hand side. Schweinsteiger will take.
54
RIBERY!! THEY ARE ALL OVER BARCA HERE! Robben cuts inside
before stabbing the ball out wide to Ribery who, glides past Alves
before lashing a left-footed strike across goal that goes just the wrong
side of the post!
MULLER!! That wasn't far away! The German skips past
challenges on the edge of the box before reversing a strike to the
bottom left corner, but it goes just wide of the post! Valdes was
certainly scrambling to get across!
51
We're really going to find out what Tito Vilanova's team
is made of now. With Messi apparently still toiling with injury, who do
they look to now for inspiration? They better find it, and quick
50
What a time to score for the Germans! Just as Barca would
have came out from the break with a fresh attitude and mindset, they are
pegged back again!
49
Thomas Müller
49
Goal
Mario Gomez
49
GOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAL! GOAL GOAL GOAL!!! BAYERN DOUBLE THEIR
LEAD! Robben swings a corner kick to the back post and Thomas Muller
nods the ball down to Mario Gomez, and the unmarked German slots home
from a yard! Shades of offside but where on earth where the Barca
defenders?!
48
It looks like a ticket to this match is the hottest in town! Not even the injured Bayern Munich centre-back can get a seat!
Javi Martínez
46
WE ARE BACK UNDER WAY IN THE ALLIANZ ARENA!
To be fair to the Argentine, though, he's certainly been given the roughhouse treatment!
It looks as if Lionel Messi has been rushed back from
injury. He saved Barcelona in the previous match against PSG coming off
the bench but this Bayern team are a totally different animal. He's been
a yard off the pace and is lacking his usual tempo and intensity.
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44
A pass from Dani Alves sums up Barcelona's first half.
Xavi swings in a corner and the ball is cleared out to the Brazilian who
looks to shift the ball back out wide, but instead puts his pass
straight into the stand.
43
Almost a sensational pass from Messi. The maestro picks up
the ball 25 yards from goal and clips a pass round the corner of the
Bayern defence, but Alba just couldn't manage to find that extra yard to
get on the end of it at the back post.
42
Ribery's workrate have been absolutely first class so far.
Time and ttime again the Frenchman has retreated back to help out David
Alaba at left-back whenever Dani Alves probes forward.
40
It was probably inevitable that Bartra would enter the
referee's book. The youngster has been a little off the pace so far and
earns a yellow card for needlessly taking out Muller from behind. He'll
need to be careful for the rest of play.
39
Bartra
38
Bayern once again coolly play their way out of defence.
Dani Alves had managed to get in behind but his cross was quickly closed
down and the hosts make their way up the park. Another attack from
Barca that lacks in pace and intensity.
37
Mario Gomez
34
Terrifc play from Javi Martinez. The Spaniard hunted down
Iniesta and eventually earned himself a foul in a great position. He
gets the appreciation from the home crowd.
@iambemshima writes on Twitter: "Oh no Bayern. You don't
score against Barca that early. You just woke up a hunger. Better play
harder now Bavarians."- An astute analysis! You're right, never count
out Barcelona!
30
The penalty shouts are raining in for Bayern! This time
though there's no real validity in the claim as the ball bounces off the
hand of Sanchez inside the box. The Chilean couldn't do anything about
that.
29
Bayern have got the bit between their teeth now. Barca
need to dust themselves off, and quickly, they haven't got out of the
blocks!
28
Ohhh could so easily have been an own-goal from Dante!!
Alexis fizzes a ball across the six yard box and the Brazilian just took
it off the foot of Messi who was lurking at the back post! He could
have easily turned that into his own net! Good defending in the end.
27
The Bavarians press ahead again! Robben relentlessly
closes down Pique as the Barca defender retreats back to goal, but the
ball eventually gets back to Valdes, who humps it up the park.
26
You have to say, that was coming. Barca have showed absolutely no attacking threat so far!
Dante
25
Goal
Thomas Müller
23
Barca are really struggling to get out of their own half
here. Iniesta, Pedro, Messi, Sanchez; they just can't retain the ball at
the moment!
Commanding goalkeeping from Valdes as he comes off his
line to powerfully punch the corner to safety. Barcelona get the free
kick as Dante jumped into the 'keeper illegally.
20
Dodgy defending from Marc Bartra! The Barca youngster
gives a wayward pass straight to the feet of Muller, who drives towards
goal, and eventually gets another corner kick. The set-piece count is
rising for the home side!
19
Barca have managed to keep the ball relatively comfortable
so far, but the counterattacking threat of Bayern will always be on
their minds.
17
Luckily for Barca, the ball comes in and is put straight
back out to the right-hand side, where Robben is standing offside. The
visitors get the free kick.
16
Superb play again from Lahm. This time the Bayern captain
twists and turns on the right-hand side before earning another corner
kick out of Alba. The set-piece threat of the hosts has to cause Barca
porblems sooner or later.
15
Robben swings the corner kick in but Barcelona manage to
get the ball out of danger. Pedro picks up on the wing and attempts to
take the play down the park. He's been quiet so far.
14
Penalty shout for Bayern!!! Lahm gallops down the wing ans
cuts inside before lashing a strike at goal from the edge of the area,
only to see his attempt cannon off the elbow of Pique inside the box!
I've seen them given you know!
13
Bayern just on the ascendancy a little. Schweinsteiger has
spotted that there is plenty of space on the wings to utilise, and has
started to bring Lahm and Alaba more into the game on the flanks.
12
It isn't long before the Catalans reclaim possession,
though, and the Allianz Arena crowd start their boos again. Whenever
fans boo when Barca have the ball, their throats gets a bit hoarse as
the game goes on!
11
@H18Khan writes on Twitter: "Certainly a nail-biting
clash! For me, the winner of this match is the winner of the Champions
League!"- I think Real Madrid and Dortmund would have something to say
to that, but the winner could come from any of the four in my opinion!
10
The lightning quick opening 10 minutes has calmed down
slightly as both sides begin to find their feet. Now it's Bayern's turn
to get their feel for the ball as Schweinsteiger slides the ball out to
Lahm on the right-hand side.
9
Frank Ribery is coming extremely deep to try and pick up
the ball. He just cam all the way back to the edge of the penalty box to
seek possession from Boateng. Get up the park, Frank!
A warning for Bayern as Pique out-jumps Dante in the air
to power a header at goal from a corner kick. It goes wayward but the
Spaniard just showed what he is capable of aerially.
7
Vital interception by Dante! Lionel Messi gets his first
touch of the match and goes on a signature run through the middle. He
attempts to exchange a one-two with Alexis Sanchez but the Brazilian
defender was in the right place at the right time to claim back
possession.
6
Barca look to take the sting out of Bayern's quick opening
by sweeping the ball around inside their own half. The hosts aren't
pressing too much at the moment, and seem content to let the visitors
have it.
5
Half-hearted penalty shout for Bayern as Javi Martinez
takes a tumble inside the area after corner kick. The former Athletic
Bilbao man felt a nudge from Bartra and went down, but he was never
getting a spotkick for that.
4
ROBBEN!! Great save from Victor Valdes!! Barca
uncharacteristically give the ball away and the Dutchman weaves his way
into the penalty area and stabs a shot at goal, but the 'keeper sticks
out a leg to make a vital stop!
3
The shaven-headed Gerard Pique brings the ball out from
defence. The Barca man clearly trying to make himself look tough against
the Germans! I wouldn't mess with him to be fair!
2
Barca typically start the match with their patient passing
along the back four, and already the home crowd have started their loud
jeers! It's deafening!
1
WE ARE UNDER WAY AT THE ALLIANZ!
The famous Champions League anthem plays out and we are almost ready for kick-off! Goosebump-inducing!
The players make their way out to the field as the Allianz
Arena is draped in a sea of red and white banners. Such an intimidating
atmosphere? How will the Barca players fair?
Something's gotta give!
Whereas Barcelona have only won two of their last eight
away games across all competitions. However, The Blaugrana are on an
eight-match unbeaten run on German soil stretching back to 2001.
Bayern Munich have won 18 of their last 19 matches in all
competitions, with the solitary defeat coming against Arsenal in the
Champions League round of 16 second leg. Not bad form then...
This truly is a big-game atmosphere tonight. Surely the
biggest game of the season? This should be an absolute classic, I hope
I'm not jinxing anything by saying that!
Don't forget to post your thoughts, feelings, and
predictions on the match on to Twitter and to the chat section of our
Live Match Centre! You can follow Goal.com International on Twitter at
@goal_intl and you can follow yours truly at @MartinMac1. Get those
comments in!
In a quick nod to the second leg, Gerard Pique, Jordi
Alba, Alex Song, Philipp Lahm, Dante and Luiz Gustavo will all miss the
match at Camp Nou if they pick up a booking tonight.
Javier Mascherano and Carles Puyol also miss out with
respective injuries. However, the Catalans are given a massive boost as
Lionel Messi features for the first time since the quarter-final match
against PSG. The Argentine had missed a few games due to a hamstring
injury, so you have to wonder whether or not he is fully fit.
Philippe Lahm, Javi Martinez and Bastian Schweinsteiger
all return for Bayern to the starting XI after being rested at the
weekend. However, the hosts are missing top goalscorer, Mario Mandzukic,
who misses through suspension. Influential midfielder Toni Kroos is out
due to injury.
There is some interesting absentees and returnees for both sides...
Barca subs: Pinto, Montoya, Abidal, Song, Thiago, Cesc, Villa
Bayern subs: Starke, Van Buyten, Rafinha, Shaqiri, Gustavo, Tymoshchuk, Pizarro.
Barcelona (4-3-3): Valdes; Alves, Pique, Bartra, Alba; Sergio Busquets, Xavi, Iniesta; Pedro, Messi, Sanchez.
Bayern Munich (4-2-3-1): Neuer; Lahm, Boateng, Dante, Alaba; Martinez, Schweinsteiger; Robben, Muller, Ribery; Gomez..
TEAM NEWS.
Both Bayern and Barca know it will be vital to take a good
result to the second leg at Camp Nou next week. The Bavarians will
certainly be looking to attack tonight as they look to their home
advantage.
This is what it's all about, folks. Two of Europe's titans
clash in surely one of the most aesthetically mesmerising stadiums in
the world. What lies in the balance? A place in the Champions League
final at Wembley.
I'm Martin Macdonald, and it's my pleasure to take you through the action this evening!
I'm Martin Macdonald, and it's my pleasure to take you through the action this evening!
Good evening football fans! Welcome to Futboll's LIVE
coverage of the Champions League semi-final first leg extravaganza
between Bayern Munich and Barcelona at the Allianz Arena!
