On ITV Roy Keane just called Bayern’s performance one of the most complete he’s seen. We won’t argue with him, for many reasons. Good night folks and check back here tomorrow for the first leg of Dortmund v Real Madrid.
Okay before we sign off from a very special night of football, click here to find out how you can be present for another next week in Madrid.
All over, 4-0 to Bayern. An incredible performance by the home side has surely killed this Champions League semi-final. Two by Thomas Muller, one by Mario Gomez and one by Arjen Robben did the damage. Two were dodgy but still, the best team, by far, won.
Bayern just running the clock down here. They have been pretty much flawless tonight. They have to be favourites for the crown now.
Jordi Alba lucky not to get the line after lobbing the ball into Robben’s face. It was funny, but stupid by Alba.
Ribery off, Shaqiri on. Not a bad old squad eh? Gotze to come too… Smart move Pep, smart move
Barca still playing, passing, passing but for once it is not working. It is kind of a shock to see Barca so outclassed but that is what has happened tonight.
And here’s the second of Muller, surely the killer goal…
Lots of ‘end of era’ and ‘changing of the guard’ talk floating around now. Hard to disagree based on tonight’s display
Alaba gets to the by-line and Muller, of course, is on the spot to tuck it home. Tie over. Muller has just gone off to be replaced by Claudio Pizarro.
4-0. MULLER
And Bayern almost get a fourth, with Muller again at the heart of it. Barca really on the rack here as Munich go for the kill. Good save by Valdes in the end
Shot of Messi looking dejected on screen there. Not his night.
Meanwhile a half chance for Barca is blazed over by Bartra. The Allianz Arena crowd in full voice now and why not. 3-0 up, which I think might be enough to kill this tie. A fourth surely will. Still 12 minutes to play.
Here’s that controversial third goal…
Firstly it was a great finish by Arjen Robben but Muller body checks Alba to allow him the space. How the ref, and linesman missed it I’ll never now. It was like a screen move in the NBA
3-0! ROBBEN! CONTROVERSY HERE
It is actually Gomez who gets the hook. Gustavo on. Bayern shutting shop…
Messi makes a little burst and makes some space and forces a shot and corner. Sand from the resultant corner a half-decent chance for Sanchez is wasted.
First sub coming up. Gustavo on for Martinez it seems. Protecting him from the second yellow…
Bayern really are giving Messi zero space. He has barely had an influence tonight but the likes of Pedro, and more significantly, Iniesta, are as the game wears on.
Dani Alves gets behind the Bayern defence but he had no support. Still, Barca are now starting to find holes and gaps in the German defence. This ain’t over yet folks…
How badly are Barca defending set-pieces? Well Arjen Robben almost scored with a header just now. Just 30 minutes to go and no sign of Tito Vilanova making a change yet.
Muller just went close there to making it 3-0. The sense that Barca are not going, or able to, lift it sufficiently is building.
Here’s that Gomez goal for you…
Once again a set-piece proves Barca’s undoing. A corner is poorly defended and Muller outjumps Sanchis and Alves to nod it back across. This tim Mario Gomez pokes it home. He was possibly offside but it is now 2-0 to the home team.
GOAL FOR BAYERN! GOMEZ!
Nice little bit of play there. Iniesta wriggles past the first line of Bayern’s defence and a 1-2 with Sanchis sets him free. Lino waves for offside but hewasn’t. Barca look they have upped the speed of their play, as they need to.
And as I say that Bayern are almost in and there are shouts for another handball against Bartra.
Peep-peep. No changes at half-time, and we’re back in action
It’s half-time so why not recreate a great Champions League moment in Vine and win a trip to the Bernabeau next week. Check it out here…
And Barca do make it to half-time 1-0. It could be 2-0 to Munich and Bayern could have had a peno too. Barca haven’t created one chance worthy of the name. All to do for the Spanish supremos in the second half.
Have to question if Messi is fully fit. Hasn’t looked to have the zip he usually has, though he is very isolated up front tonight. Reminds me a bit of when he plays for Argentina. Not a good night for Barca so far…
Booking for Bartra as he attacks Muller from behind with his arse. Seriously. No attempt to play the ball.
Barca are still winning the possession stakes, 62 to 38, but they are not creating the chances, so far anyway. Manuel Neuer has had nowt to do…
Muller wins corner. Haha
By the way, Javi Martinez is having a stormer
Another penalty shout, this time it hits Bartra. It would have been harsh on Barca but they would be very happy to make it to half-time 1-0 down right now.
Messi with a half chance there but the Germans look very menacing every time they attack. How many do you reckon Bayern need to be safe going to Spain next week. Consensus here is that 3-0 would do it but what do we know.
Here’s the Muller goal. Some leap by Dante for his one…
A Robben cross is met by Dante who nods it back across and Thomas Muller is there to head it into the net. 1-0. Now, how do Barca respond.
GOAL FOR BAYERN: MULLER!
Barca defender Bartra has been a bit sloppy so far but none of his mistakes have led to a Bayern goal. Yet…
Andy Townsend just dropped the old ‘I’ve seen them given’ line about a ball that struck Pique in the box. On replay, it looks like he moved hand to ball to block it. Could have been a peno against the newly-shorn defender.
Just at the 15 minute mark and it is safe to say this isn’t a cracker yet. But it is an interesting game as both teams feel each other out. Compelling viewing, even if it is low on chances thus far.
Barca playing a bit of keep ball at the moment, trying to get the tempo set at their level. The crowd don’t like it, but Barca look to have finally settled.
Paddy Power sums up how Twitter has reacted to the wasteful Arjen Robben’s chance earlier…
The pitch has been very, very heavily watered. The Munich plan must be to slow Barca’s passing. So far so good.
Early domination by Bayern and Arjen Robben had a free shot just 10 yards out and hits it straight at Valdes… should be 1-0
Right, we’re off and running. For what it’s worth I’m going for a 3-1 win for Bayern…
And don’t forget, we are still giving away a brilliant Champions League prize. Just grab an iPhone, make a quick six-second Vine and you could be on your way to Madrid for the second leg of Real v Dortmund at the Bernabeau. Seriously, that’s a brilliant prize so get in here now.
The last time these two played, in the 2008-09 Champions League quarters, the first leg was a 4-0 win in Barcelona and a fairly dull 1-1 draw in Munich. Goals by Samuel Eto’o, Thierry Henry and two from Messi did the damage in that first game. Tonight’s result surely won’t be a 4-0 win, will it?
Okay, it’s stat time. Chew over these and we assure you you’ll be more confused than ever about what will happen tonight.
Barcelona are unbeaten in their last 17 matches against German teams
German clubs are unbeaten in six games against Spanish clubs this season (three wins, three draws)
Messi hasn’t scored for Barca in 21 days, his longest dry spell in two years
In six games between these sides in Europe Bayern have win three, Barca one and there have been two draws
BIG NEWS: Gerard Pique has had his head shaven for tonight’s game…
Right, we have about 10 minutes until the coverage starts so to tide you over, here’s our preview of tonight’s game. It is safe to say we’re looking forward to this one…
If that referee’s name looks familiar he is the guy who reffed the away leg of Ireland’s Euro 2012 play-off win against Estonia. He also didn’t spot the Ukranian goal against England in the tournament proper. We’re sure ITV will mention it later on.
Okay, here’s the line-ups for Oxegen. And now here’s the line-ups for tonight’s football. Messi starts, which is probably all you wanted to know.
Bayern Munich: Neuer, Lahm, Boateng, Dante, Alaba, Javi Martinez, Schweinsteiger, Robben, Muller, Ribery, Gomez. Subs: Starke, Van Buyten, Shaqiri, Rafinha, Pizarro, Gustavo, Tymoschuk.
Barcelona: Valdes, Dani Alves, Pique, Bartra, Jordi Alba, Xavi, Busquets, Iniesta, Sanchez, Messi, Pedro. Subs: Pinto, Fabregas, Villa, Thiago, Montoya, Abidal, Song.
Referee: Viktor Kassai (Hungary)
Good evening. The final four of Europe’s top club football competition kicks off tonight and it is a mouth-watering tie between the best team in Spain and the best team in Germany. Bayern are rock-solid at the back at home while Barcelona are a bit dodgy away from home.
For the first time that I can remember the tika-taka masters are not the favourites to win tonight so will the home side prove they are the new kings of Europe or will the pass masters take a lead back to Camp Nou for leg two. We’ll know by 9.30 tonight.
