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“Barcelona won the tie but Bayern won the hearts.” These words have epitomized this enthralling affair between Europe’s two heavyweights as Bayern were eliminated on aggregate 5-3, after winning the second-leg 3-2. It certainly wasn’t an impossible task for the Bundesliga winners, especially after the mauling of Shakhtar Donetsk in the reserve-leg of the quarterfinals. Bayern were granted an early opener but some sloppy defending created plenty problems for Pep Guardiola at half-time as Luis Suarez assisted both Neymar goals.
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Bayern began in the best way possible when an unmarked Medhi Benatia planted his header into the bottom-corner past ter Stegen in the 7thminute to reduce the deficit to two goals. As the Allianz Arena roared in approval of the perfect start, Bayern added more vigour to their high-press. As Bayern committed men forward, Barcelona caught their hosts on the counter-attack, exploiting their defensive frailties. In the 15th minute, Messi slotted in a defence-splitting pass to Suarez who slid the ball on the right to Neymar, who had a tap-in. Bayern pressed ferociously but Barcelona took full advantage of the inexistent defence and in the 30th minute, Neymar scored to effectively put the tie beyond question. Messi nudged the ball in his own half and out of nowhere, Suarez had the whole field to himself and again, the Uruguayan quite unselfishly lobbed the ball across the incoming defenders in the box to Neymar, who had all the time in the world to shoot low past Neuer at the near post.
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At half-time, Pep Guardiola was probably explaining his boys the How-To-Score-5-In-45-Minutes-Against-Barcelona-And-Not-Concede 101. Both Barcelona goals were courtesy of mass defensive breakdowns as Boateng was having yet another abysmal day at the office as Neymar was granted ample space and time for both his goals. Quite evidently, the Bavarians were sorely missing the speedy duo of Robben and Ribery, along with David Alaba.
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The opening minutes of second-half were a bit static as Bayern seemed uncertain on the counter but as the game progressed, Die Roten regained their composure as well as their confidence. In the 59th minute, Lewandowski produced a moment of magic to trim down the target to 4 goals. The Pole collected the ball 22 yards out, danced past Mascherano before curling the ball past the languishing ter Stegen. Bayern continued to threaten after the equaliser and in the 74th minute, Muller gave Bayern the lead again, when he rifled in Schweinsteiger’s lay-back from 20-yards. Bayern continued to push high and every player in the red-and-blue stripes was working doggedly to accomplish a virtually undoable task. Lewandowski fluffed a few chances to give Luis Enrique a real scare and despite their lead, Barcelona were crumbling under pressure as Bayern were planning to go out with their heads held high.
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In the end, Bayern were undone by the genius of one man in the first-leg – Lionel Messi. Bayern, were eliminated in the semifinals yet again, but their attitude in second-half was admirable. All in all – Two astoundingly enthralling legs of football.
Tags: Barcelona Bayern neymar Pep Guardiola
