BY PETER. D. BERTON
In a match that featured some good competitive football, Barca spanked Bayern Munich 3 Nil, thanks to Messi’s excellent two goal lead topped up by Neyman’s last minute finisher that gave Munich no chance back. The dominant victory was an exactment of revenge on the Bundeliga winners for the battering they received 2 years back. There place in the finals of the Champion league is certainly secure now.
Barca began the match with their typical slick movement, closing Bayern Munich down immediately and allowing no space for the visitors. The attacking football continued as both teams fervently went for it.
In the 12th mins, Suarez was in the box for a one on one with Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who comes out ,spreads himself and make brilliant block. A minute later, Suarez flipped a lovely ball into the 6 yard box for Neymar to surely score only for fellow Brazilian Rafinha to deflect the ball and concede a corner to Barca
Suarez got another break, but shot straight at Manuel Neuer. Both teams engaged in the battle for possession in a game that was full of energy and passion.
Bayern was playing three defenders at the back. Bold, yes, but very dangerous especially with Messi, Suarez Neymar lurking with intent.
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Shortly after this, Guardiola was forced to having four at the back. In the 27th min, Suarez was unlucky with a header, but he can’t keep it down.Bayern Munich’s Xavi Alonso is given the first yellow card of the game, after which a 30 yard shot by Messi was saved by Manuel Neuer.
Suarez continued to terrorize Bayern defender Juan Bernat, and earned Barca a free kick which was wasted.
It was a riveting display from both teams in the first half, and Robert Lewandowski should have put Bayern the lead.
SECOND HALF
Almost immediately after Barca kicked off the second half, Lewandowski got a chance on goal only to be brought down. He was rightly awarded a free kick. Xabi Alonso stepped up to deliver a feeble shot which ended up in the wall.
Juan Bernat fouled Messi and was given a yellow card. Messi tried to slide through the Bayern defense and got a shot on target only to hit it straight at Neuer.
Neymar was clean through with no flag, and Neuer just sprinted out and cleared the ball like a centre half. Manuel Neuer is a top draw player.
In the 67th minute, Gerard Pique was given a yellow card for a strong tackle on Lewandowski. The game got a bit niggley, as Neymar was booked with a naughty tackle.
Bayern’s resistance was subsequently broken as Juan Bernat gave the ball away to Dani Alves, who slipped in with a lovely bit of skill to play in Messi who shots from the edge of the box and score. 3 mins after the first goal, Messi spectacularly produced a second goal to seal their victory.
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Messi displayed some world class intelligence as he skipped into the box and tore the Bayern defense apart, twisting past Jerome Boateng as though Boeteng wasn’t even there, before impressively clipping the ball into the back of the net.
Up until this stage of the game, Messi wasn’t at his brilliant best, but he stepped up to the plate and produced two exceptional moments of magic. What a footballing genius!
Xavi then came on for Ivan Rakitic to shut up shop and try to preserve the two goal lead. Barca continued the pressure with Suarez having a shot just outside the box which unluckily went over the net.
A fouled against Suarez in his own half was overlooked by the referee, who indicated the play of an advantage, and a swift pass from the now buzzing Messi was played with the perfect weight to Neymar, to drill forward and slide the ball pass Neuer to make it 3 -0. It was game over now, the lead was unassailable.
Bayern Munich players were visibly dejected, and absolutely devastated
A hard fought battle which was contested with world class players battling for a place in the champions league final in Berlin on June 6th 2015. It was Even Stevens for the majority of the game, but then Messi showed his class as the current leading champions league all time scorer.
Barcelona have surely booked their place in the final next month. This game was hanging in the balance, until Leo Messi stole the show. His first goal was class, but the second one was WORLD CLASS! Jerome Boateng is no mug, but he was mugged off by Messi with the way he slip in and produced an audacious chip over the BEST keeper in the world Manuel Neuer.
Bayern possession football with the high pressure cost them in the end. Barca could have had a hatful of goals, in particular the first 15 minutes of the match were Pep Guardiola played 3 defenders, but they failed to punish the Bavarians
If only Lewandowski had but the ball in the back of the net on the 17th minute, It would have put a different complexion on the game and giveN Bayern the away goal they craved. But it was not to be. Unless there is a major miracle on Tuesday 12th May at the Allianz Arena then Bayern Munich can say goodbye to another final. For this season, anyway.
Luis Enrique described Messi as player from “another dimension,” and on his display in the last period of the game, he was spot on.
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