Barcelona 2-8 Bayern Munich: Bayern destroy Barça in Champions League quarter-final 2019/20
On the whistle match report
Simon Evans' match report:
German champions Bayern Munich utterly humiliated Barcelona with a stunning 8-2 victory on Friday that sent them through into the semi-finals of the Champions League in an extraordinarily emphatic manner.
Thomas Mueller scored twice for a rampant Bayern, who led 4-1 after 31 astonishing minutes, as Lionel Messi and his team mates were condemned to a thrashing that felt like the end of an era for the illustrious Catalan club.
Both teams have been crowned European champions five times. But, while Bayern look to have a real chance of added a sixth title next week, Barça are clearly facing major reconstruction work and it remains to be seen how many of those involved in this debacle will survive at the club.
The scoreline recalled Germany's 7-1 win over Brazil in the 2014 World Cup, a game where Bayern coach Hansi Flick was on the bench as the national team's assistant coach.
It began with Bayern grabbing a fourth minute lead when Mueller collected Ivan Perisic's cross from the left and played a clever one-two with Robert Lewandowski before drilling home.
But within three minutes Barça had struck back - Clement Lenglet's super long ball found Jordi Alba in space and David Alaba's attempt to deal with his searching cross ended up flying past his own keeper Manuel Neuer.
Neuer then had to be quick off his line to foil a goal-bound Luis Suarez but was almost caught out by a cross-shot from Messi from the right which drifted through the area and struck the post.
But just as Barça seemed to have established themselves, the Germans regained their lead in the 21st minute -- Serge Gnabry fed Perisic on the left and the Croatian glanced up to see his options before drilling past Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
Bayern then added the third as Barça's defence was opened up again with ease. Thiago Alcantara was given plenty of space in midfield to find Leon Goretzka whose superb ball picked out Gnabry, who had got behind Lenglet and then made no mistake with the finish.
Flick's side were running riot and it got worse for Barca when a low cross from Joshua Kimmich was turned in at the near post by Mueller -- another goal of ruthless simplicity making it 4-1 at the break.
The Spaniards desperately needed to find a way to shift the momentum after the break and Suarez, one of the few Barça players to emerge with any credit from the encounter, provided a route back into the game with a fine strike, in the 57th minute.
Jordi Alba found Suarez on the edge of the box and the Uruguayan jinked passed Jerome Boateng before blasting home.
But Bayern were in no mood to turn down the heat and six minutes later they restored their three goal advantage thanks to some outstanding work from their Canadian teenager Alphonso Davies.
The left back dribbled in from the flank, danced past Nelson Semedo to get to the byline and then pulled the ball back to fellow full back Kimmich to slot home and make it 5-2.
Somehow Bayern had managed to score five goals without their prolific striker Robert Lewandowski, who had scored in his previous seven Champions League matches - however, eight minutes from the end, the Pole put that right.
Substitute Philippe Coutinho, who is on loan at the German club from Barça, floated over a cross from the left which Lewandowski firmly headed home at the back post.
To add insult to the already painful injury, Coutinho then scored two more before the end, as Barcelona fell apart in unimaginable fashion to the brilliance of the Bavarians. Bayern, who last won Europe's biggest prize in 2013, will meet either Manchester City or Olympique Lyonnais, who play on Saturday, in the last four.
Lyon - Bayern Munich live online: Champions League semi-final 2019/20
Lyon vs Bayern Munich live
Bayern now go into the semi-final against the French side as huge favourites.
Follow it live
Manchester City vs Lyon live online: Champions League quarter-final 2019/20
Who will play Bayern?
Follow Man City vs Lyon live...
Manchester City vs Lyon: how and where to watch - times, TV...
Manchester City vs Lyon: how and where to watch
All the information you need on how and where to watch Manchester City face Olympique Lyonnais in the last fixture of the 2019/20 Champions League quarter-finals:
Manchester City vs Lyon preview
Man City vs Lyon
As the dust settles on Bayern's historic thrashing of Barcelona, thoughts turn to Saturday evening's clash to decide who will have the pleasure of playing Flick's side in the Champions League semi-final. Here's the lowdown on Pep's City against Rudi's Lyon...
Three coaches from the same country in the semi-finals for the first time ever. Tuchel (PSG), Nagelsmann (Leipzig) and Flick (Bayern) all from Germany. They'll be joined by Man City's Pep Guardiola (Spain) or Lyon's Rudi García (French, despite his Spanish surname - his father was a Spanish expatriate whose parents fled Spain during the Civil War).
No Spanish sides in the Champions League semi-finals
For the first time in 13 years there will be no Spanish sides in the semi-finals of the Champions League.
No Ronaldo, no Messi
The semi-finals of the Champions League will not feature either Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo for the first time since... 2005/06!
Messi - unable to make a mark in the game.
Bartomeu: "It's a really tough night. I'm sorry for all the members and fans of Barcelona. We will move." Congratulates Bayern on their great game and says decisions at Barcelona, which have already been thought about, will be taken in the coming days. Won't say what they are, says today is a day to reflect on what's happened and to think about the sad result.
Asked whether it's about the directors of the club Bartomeu says it's not the time to talk about that and that the decisions that need to be made will be announced in the coming days.
On the whistle match report
Simon Evans' match report:
German champions Bayern Munich utterly humiliated Barcelona with a stunning 8-2 victory on Friday that sent them through into the semi-finals of the Champions League in an extraordinarily emphatic manner.
Thomas Mueller scored twice for a rampant Bayern, who led 4-1 after 31 astonishing minutes, as Lionel Messi and his team mates were condemned to a thrashing that felt like the end of an era for the illustrious Catalan club.
Both teams have been crowned European champions five times. But, while Bayern look to have a real chance of added a sixth title next week, Barça are clearly facing major reconstruction work and it remains to be seen how many of those involved in this debacle will survive at the club.
The scoreline recalled Germany's 7-1 win over Brazil in the 2014 World Cup, a game where Bayern coach Hansi Flick was on the bench as the national team's assistant coach.
It began with Bayern grabbing a fourth minute lead when Mueller collected Ivan Perisic's cross from the left and played a clever one-two with Robert Lewandowski before drilling home.
But within three minutes Barça had struck back - Clement Lenglet's super long ball found Jordi Alba in space and David Alaba's attempt to deal with his searching cross ended up flying past his own keeper Manuel Neuer.
Neuer then had to be quick off his line to foil a goal-bound Luis Suarez but was almost caught out by a cross-shot from Messi from the right which drifted through the area and struck the post.
But just as Barça seemed to have established themselves, the Germans regained their lead in the 21st minute -- Serge Gnabry fed Perisic on the left and the Croatian glanced up to see his options before drilling past Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
Bayern then added the third as Barça's defence was opened up again with ease. Thiago Alcantara was given plenty of space in midfield to find Leon Goretzka whose superb ball picked out Gnabry, who had got behind Lenglet and then made no mistake with the finish.
Flick's side were running riot and it got worse for Barca when a low cross from Joshua Kimmich was turned in at the near post by Mueller -- another goal of ruthless simplicity making it 4-1 at the break.
The Spaniards desperately needed to find a way to shift the momentum after the break and Suarez, one of the few Barça players to emerge with any credit from the encounter, provided a route back into the game with a fine strike, in the 57th minute.
Jordi Alba found Suarez on the edge of the box and the Uruguayan jinked passed Jerome Boateng before blasting home.
But Bayern were in no mood to turn down the heat and six minutes later they restored their three goal advantage thanks to some outstanding work from their Canadian teenager Alphonso Davies.
The left back dribbled in from the flank, danced past Nelson Semedo to get to the byline and then pulled the ball back to fellow full back Kimmich to slot home and make it 5-2.
Somehow Bayern had managed to score five goals without their prolific striker Robert Lewandowski, who had scored in his previous seven Champions League matches - however, eight minutes from the end, the Pole put that right.
Substitute Philippe Coutinho, who is on loan at the German club from Barça, floated over a cross from the left which Lewandowski firmly headed home at the back post.
To add insult to the already painful injury, Coutinho then scored two more before the end, as Barcelona fell apart in unimaginable fashion to the brilliance of the Bavarians. Bayern, who last won Europe's biggest prize in 2013, will meet either Manchester City or Olympique Lyonnais, who play on Saturday, in the last four.
Shredded
Setién: "It's a really painful defeat. It's more goals than it should have been. But when they come at you so hard..."
The Barça coach also says he won't get involved in structural debates about the club, saying he's only been there six months, but saying if Piqué is saying it then of course probably something needs to be changed.
Piqué says they've hit "rock bottom". "If I have to go to change things I'll be the first. We all have to look, reflect, decide what's important for the club."
Piqué: "Horrible game. Terrible feeling. Embarrassing. That's the word. It's really tough this. I hope it serves a purpose. It's time to reflect. The club needs changes. Not just the coach or the players. I don't want to single anyone out. It needs changes..."
Many will, probably quite rightly, focus on what a state Barcelona are in, but Bayern knew exactly how to put them to sword. Lovely football all round Flick's side.
Barcelona need to take a very long hard look at where they are and what they want to do from a footballing point of view.
Full time. My word. That's a thumping. A victory for the record books for Bayern, as they tonk Barcelona 8-2.
Vidal booked for general misbehaviour (pushing, shouting etc).
Regulation time up and Barcelona praying there's little added on.
Just two minutes. "Time to get to 10", shouts someone from the other side of the newsroom.
Stop now. Coutinho makes it eight. Semedo has no idea what's going on and Coutinho swivels and slams home.
Bayern still pretty much getting into dangerous positions at will. Coutinho again strides forward but this time his shot/pass is deflected out for a corner. It comes to nothing.
Barcelona 2 Bayern Munich 7 (SEVEN)
Kimmich booked for chopping Suárez
Goal stands.
Into the last ten minutes and Bayern are knocking the ball about happily from one side of the pitch to the other. This is painful for Barcelona.
Coutinho all dancing feet out on the left in the box. Eventually enough defenders come across to put an end to his fun but he wins a corner. It comes to nothing.
Messi strides onto a ball in the box and gets his shot away but you have to do more than that to cause Neuer problems. He saves on the deck.
Serge Gnabry makes way for Philippe Coutinho - he'll be hoping to pick one up just outside the box, take one touch and curl it into the far top corner.
Ansu Fati is keen, but too keen. He fouls Alaba in the Bayern box as he looks to make an impact.
Ansu Fati on for Busquets. Oh, it would be a fairy tale...
Coman has to make it six! But Alba JUST gets across to cover and block the shot. Another disaster in defence though from Setién's men to allow Bayern in again.
Coman on for Perisic
Barcelona are able to produce some nerves in the Bayern defence, but the truth is Flick's side always look slightly more dangerous. And the more Barcelona push for a third, the more likely Bayern's sixth is...
Messi has a ping, which comes off a defender and goes for a corner. That's cleared by the Bayern defence.
My word. That's some goal from Bayern! Davies strolls along the bye-line and lays it on a plate for Kimmich who pops home Bayern's fifth.
Alba into the book.
Lovely dink to beat his man in the box from the Uruguayan and Suárez then slams a low shot past Neuer to make it 2-4. Game on?
Suárez into the book. Nasty little chop from behind on Thiago.
Bayern have the ball in the Barça net, but it's miles offside.
Messi fires the ball into the Bayern box but it's cleared
Davies into the book for elbowing Vidal.
Bayern absolutely in control here. Dominating the midfield and attacking at will. Barcelona chasing the memory of shadows.
Long ball over the top to Müller who lays off to Perisic - he controls and batters one, but it's straight at Ter Stegen who takes easily.
Bayern nearly in again, down the right, but Ter Stegen is alert to the danger and comes and gathers.
Setién has a raft of players warming up...
Bayern straight onto the front foot, probing down the left.
Second half underway!
Griezmann on for Sergi Roberto at half-time.
Teams back out in Lisbon. Barcelona player looking EXTREMELY serious.
Griezmann coming on.
Boateng the only player booked in that first half.
Barcelona last had a trophyless season in 2007/08. Goodness.
So, can Barcelona come back? Well, it's football, so anything is possible, but Barça appear just too disorganised and slow at the back to give themselves the platform they would need to somehow get forward and score three against this Bayern side.
If Barcelona were to get one, which you can't rule out with the twinkling toes of Messi and the predatory instincts of Suárez, Bayern would likely happily shut up shop and a two-goal advantage would be enough to see them through the rest of the second half, no matter what Barcelona threw at them.
It's probably happening to you too. The half-time whistle goes and our mate Steve, a big Liverpool fan, is on the Whatsapp asking if any team has ever come back from three goals down at half-time in a Champions League match...
Half-time. Barcelona trudge off wondering what happened. Bayern trot off knowing exactly what happened.
Suárez! Hits a bouncing ball from outside the box, but it's straight into Neuer's hands.
Boateng into the book for chopping Suárez.
That 1-4 feeling
This is the first time Barcelona have ever conceded four goals in the first half in Europe.
Forty minutes gone. Bayern just shading this so far.
Another corner for Bayern... Lewandowski gets his head on it, but it's straight at Ter Stegen who gathers oh-so-gratefully.
The ball breaks free and Perisic tries to curl it into the top corner. He apologises as it flies wide.
Bayern come close to the fifth! This is an absolute disaster for Setién's men. They've got absolutely no shape at the back, no idea how to stop Bayern's attacks, and their midfield has offered absolutely nothing in terms of control of the game. Barring some sort of ridiculous turn around this is Setién's last match in charge of Barcelona.
The Barça defence is in tatters here, with Bayern able to run in behind them at will. Another chance for Lewandowksi straight after the Gnabry goal.
Lovely ball over the top, but what are the Barcelona defence up to? Gnabry latched onto that and slotted home neatly.
Lenglet fighting to get on a corner, but he's outdone by a defender. Another corner. Which falls to Lenglet this time, but he slides his header wide.
Thiago slams one from just outside the box. Good position, but he got underneath it and it swirled away high and wide.
Perisic released down the left in the box and he let loose with everything his left foot had... Ter Stegen got his own foot to it, but could only listen ruefully as it flew into the net.
PERISIC! Batters one from out left and Ter Stegen's leg just deflects it into the top corner.
Messi, Messi, Messi... into the Bayern box skipping round opponents who can't even get close... but his final shot is a tame effort along the deck and Neuer grabs it easily
A series of Bayern corners with the Barcelona players putting the ball out in desperation, but Flick's side can't make the pressure count.
Piqué with a slightly scary header back to Ter Stegen. The kind that looks like it's going to be short off the bonce, but ends up just getting to the keeper before the striker nips in.
Bayern turning the screw but they can't find the final ball right now.
Lewandowski! Flies into a volley but he can't control it and it goes well over. He gingerly checks his hamstring as gets up but looks like he's ok.
Lenglet nods Davies cross behind for a corner. Pressure was on there. Nothing comes of the corner kick.
Messi takes down Davies from behind. Bayern man complains vociferously, Barcelona man apologises profusely. In the end there's no yellow, but there could have been.
From the corner Barcelona hit the post - don't ask me how, I was too busy typing up the bit before that. This is all happening too fast for a minute-by-minute.
Semedo plays a sweet, sweet ball into the box for Suárez to run on to, but he can't beat Neuer, who stands up well.
Not sure what Alaba was thinking there as he stuck a foot out and popped the ball neatly past his own keeper. 1-1. Who wanted early goals?
Barcelona level! Stunning strike from Alaba past his own keeper to level it!
Müller at the top of the box batters a bouncing ball past Ter Stegen. Barcelona absolutely stunned by that.
Bayern! 1-0! Müller!
Barcelona do get it away up the right and nearly get a good cross in, but it's just short of target.
Piqué to Semedo out on the right, Barcelona so nice bringing it out. Though it comes to nothing.
Some big old long balls from Bayern in the first minute as both sides look to settle.
Barcelona get us underway!
The Champions!
The famous old-ish anthem blasts out around the empty Estadio da Luz.
Messi getting ready for the game. We're sure he didn't really toe-poke this one.
Teams in the tunnel. About five minutes to go. This must be THE most nerve-wracking moment for a player. You wonder if they ever get used to it...
Barcelona confirm Umtiti postive for Covid-19
Umtiti
More on the news that Barcelona defender Umititi has tested positive for Covid-19.
Damir Skomina
Tonight's ref is 44-year-old Damir Skomina from Slovenia.
Prediction: Barcelona vs Bayern Munich
We reckon Bayern will take it in extra-time. 1-2.
Going on recent form Bayern Munich would be the clear favourites to make the semi-finals for the seventh time in nine seasons. They have looked imperious since the restart and swatted Chelsea aside in the last round, but their route forward is blocked by the best player in the world with a point to prove. Lionel Messi has proved too much for Bayern to handle in the past but it is an enormous ask for him to turn the tie in Barcelona’s favour. Bayern remain the logical choice, but with Messi there is always a chance. 1-2 (AET)
Odd records department
Leo Messi will become the player in the entire history of the Champions League / European Cup who has played in most quarter-finals. 23 of them. In second place with 22: Paco Gento, Cristiano Ronaldo, Andrés Iniesta and Piqué.
Warming up
Bayern keeper Manuel Neuer 'warming up' by apparently having a doze.
Get Müller fighting your corner
And he's only 30 years old. It almost feels like he's got a painting in the attic.
Starting XI age
Barcelona's starting line-up have an average of 29 and 329 days. That's the oldest ever they've named for a Champions League match. (Says OptaJoe).
Barcelona vs Bayern Munich: how and where to watch - times, TV...
Barcelona vs Bayern on your box
We know you'll be glued to this live feed all game, but if you do want to have the match on in the background Andy has prepared a delightful guide to how to tune in.
Umtiti +ve for Covid-19
Barcelona player Samuel Umtiti was confirmed to have Covid-19 after a PCR test. He's isolating at home and has no symptoms.
Barcelona vs Bayern Munich: Champions League preview
Barcelona vs Bayern Munich
If you really want the lowdown on tonight's game... check out Will's match preview.
On the scene
Barcelona are in the house. They are there. Their bus has hit the designated parking spot.
Previous winners
The only two previous winners of either the Champions League or European Cup still left in this year’s competition are none other than the teams who meet tonight: Barcelona and Bayern Munich. Both have been crowned champions of Europe five times and both have their reasons to believe tonight, although the odds favour Bayern.
Barcelona vs Bayern Munich live
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of what is probably the tastiest quarter-final tie of the Champions League 2019/2020 - Barcelona vs Bayern Munich. Two power houses of European football battling it out over 90 minutes, only 90 minutes because of Covid-19, to see who books a place in the quarter-final against Manchester City or Lyon.