Bayern Munich stuns Barcelona 8-2 to reach Champions League semi-finals

Bayern Munich have humiliated Spanish giants Barcelona 8-2 to get to the Champions League semi-finals for the second time in a few decades.

Bayern scored four targets in the initially half hour and 4 additional in the past 50 percent hour to equal the report successful margin for a Champions League quarter-final match.

Thomas Muller scored twice and Ivan Perisi and Serge Gnabry included on in Bayern’s gorgeous start to the standout quarter-ultimate amongst the only earlier champions remaining in the previous 8.

Joshua Kimmich, Robert Lewandowski and Philippe Coutinho (twice) piled on in the second fifty percent as Barcelona conceded eight plans for the first time because 1946.

Barcelona bought on the board with an very own-purpose by David Alaba in the initial 50 percent and a intention by Luis Suarez in the second among only seven shots on goal.

Looking for its to start with title considering the fact that 2013, Bayern will next experience possibly Manchester Metropolis or Lyon, who fulfill on Saturday in the previous quarter-last.

Paris Saint-Germain and Leipzig will enjoy in the other semi-closing of the mini-match getting staged with no admirers in Lisbon amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The humiliating loss ended a disappointing time for Barcelona, a person that involved a coaching improve and general public disputes among gamers and team officers.

It is the 1st time given that 2008 that the Spanish club finished a season without a substantial title.

It has not lifted the European trophy due to the fact 2015.

The commanding victory retained alive Bayern’s quest for a sixth Champions League title, which would transfer it in advance of Barcelona.

It will be again in the semi-finals for the initially time since 2018 when it misplaced to Genuine Madrid in the remaining four.

The Bundesliga champions ended up eliminated by Liverpool in the round of 16 past time.

It is the 1st time given that 2007 that no Spanish club has designed it to the semi-finals.

The end result adds stress on Barcelona coach Quique Setien, who experienced currently been criticised after Barcelona relinquished the La Liga guide — and title — to True Madrid just after the level of competition resumed following the pandemic break.

Barcelona, which was eradicated by Liverpool in past year’s semi-finals, has not achieved the Champions League final given that their title run in 2015.

It got earlier Bayern in the closing four that calendar year.

Bayern’s gain equalled the report six-target quarter-ultimate margin established by Manchester United in 2006/07 when they beat Roma 7-1.

The German club has the most wins against Barcelona in the European event.

In a hectic begin at Benfica’s Stadium of Light, Barcelona paid out for defensive blunders towards Bayern’s potent assault, which attained 39 aims in nine online games in this Champions League.

Just four minutes in, Muller scored from inside of the area soon after a breakaway that begun when Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets gave the ball absent at midfield.

Barcelona equalised a few minutes later when Alaba found his individual net even though striving to intercept a go by Jordi Alba to Suarez.

Barcelona had a couple of good probabilities soon just after, with Suarez’s close-selection strike staying saved by Manuel Neuer and Messi’s curling cross shot hitting the significantly publish.

Messi also missed immediately after a run into the space, and Bayern went back again in front with Perisi’s potent shot earlier goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

Bayern additional the 3rd and fourth aims three minutes apart following Gnabry conquer Gerard Pique to a pass into the place, and Muller accomplished a cross into the location immediately after Barcelona appropriate back Nelson Semedo conceded possession.

Suarez pulled Barcelona nearer in the 57th minute, but Kimmich additional the fifth intention soon after Alphonso Davies cruised past the Barcelona defence.

Lewandowski scored with a header in the 82nd, and Coutinho — a previous Barcelona participant who struggled at the Catalan club — shut the scoring with objectives in the 85th and 89th minutes.

With his double, Muller reached six aims in 5 matches versus Barcelona on the occasion of turning into the German participant with the most appearances in the Champions League at 113.

Bayern also had a 53rd-minute goal disallowed for offside.

AP/ABC