Last night’s UCL matchup between Barcelona and Bayern Munich managed to register itself in the history books. The Catalans were left stunned and shaken to the core as the German giants gave them a ruthless 2-8 drubbing.
The Champions League quarter-final tie might just have stamped an end of an era for the Spanish side. Meanwhile, on the other end of the pitch, the Bavarians looked like a well-oiled machine ready to dismantle any team that comes in front of them.
Bayern had their fair share of problems within the team in the past ranging from ageing players to incompetent managers. However, their fortune took a significant turn with the appointment of Hansi Flick for Bayern.
The talent within the squad was never a question for the German side. However, all that was lacking was a coach that compliments them. With Hansi Flick though, it was a match made in heaven.
The Bundesliga side finally began to look like a complete and coherent team. Lewandowski went on a lethal goal scoring form while struggling big-name players like Boateng and Muller were also rejuvenated.
The young guns including Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka, Alphonso Davies and Serge Gnabry also started firing on the big stage for the club.
Before the high profile match against Barcelona, there was a lot of talk concerning the game in the media from both sides. Bayern boss, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge in particular, came out with an asserting statement, saying, “Davies will take care of Messi.”
Although it took a collective effort from Bayern to stop the Argentine; however, Rummenigge’s words were proved accurate by the German record champions.
The aggression and pressure from the Bayern side was just too hot to handle for Barcelona as they conceded an unprecedented eight goals in a single game in the Champions League.
Football fans around the globe have expressed their remorse for Barcelona’s Lionel Messi. Arguably the best player to have graced the game is going under a terrible patch and to be fair, the large part of the blame has to go to his club.
Messi has undergone two disheartening losses against Roma and Liverpool, but Barca’s decimation against Bayern tops everything.
The Bavarians, however, couldn’t care less as they have their eyes set firm on the possible 6th UCL title. In the post-match interview, Joshua Kimmich was asked whether he feels bad about Messi’s situation.
The 25-year-old midfielder responded with an unwavering ‘no’ as Bayern cruise to the Champions League semi-finals.