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28 March 2024

Champions League: Magical Messi nets double as Barca romp past Bayern

Published
By Football Correspondent and Agencies

Two late moments of Lionel Messi magic and a goal from Neymar helped Barcelona break the resistance of Bayern Munich in a pulsating 3-0 victory in their Champions League semi-final first leg at the Nou Camp on Wednesday.

The Argentine fired home after 77 minutes and doubled the lead with a delightful chip over Bayern keeper Manuel Neuer from six metres three minutes later.

Neymar completed a resounding late burst when he raced clear and slotted calmly home in stoppage time.

It was a disappointing evening for Bayern coach Pep Guardiola on his return to his former club.

He had warned before the game that it was impossible to stop his former prodigy Messi and it proved the case as the Argentine orchestrated Barcelona's emphatic victory that gives them a clear advantage heading into next week's second leg.

Full-time

Barcelona 3 (Messi 77" 80" Neymar 94" Bayern 0)

Two goals in three minutes by the majestic Lionel Messi and one in stoppage time by Brazilian Neymar all but sealed Barcelona's place in the final of the Champions League after they routed Bayern Munich 3-0 in the first leg of the semi-final at the Camp Nou on Wednesday night.

After a goalless first-half where Bayern managed to keep Barcelona at bay thanks to some superb saves by Manuel Neuer, the home side finally broke the deadlock in the 77th minute when Messi beat the German goalkeeper with a fine placement.

The Argentinian's brilliance was all the more evident three minutes later when he covered some 30 yards, beat Boateng inside-out and chipped over an advancing Neuer with his right foot into an open net.

Neymar added the icing on the cake for Barcelona after Messi's brilliant defence-splitting through ball and all the Brazilian had to do was get it past a hapless Neuer.

94" GOAL! Neymar scores

90" Four minutes added.

88" Mascherano is pulled out to make way for Bartra.

86" Iniesta makes way for Rafinha.

84" Suarez rushes with his shot blazing it over the top but the atmosphere has suddenly turned electric and noisy.

82" Both teams make substitutions. Barca bring in Xavi and Bayern send Gotze in.

Barcelona 2 (Messi 77" 80 Bayern 0)

80" GOAL! Messi brings the Camp Nou on their feet with a spectacular goal. Collecting the ball from 30 yards out he beats Boateng inside-out and then chips over Neuer with his right foot.

Barcelona 1 (Messi 77" Bayern 0)

77" GOAL! Alves finds Messi who rounds a defender and manages to beat Neuer.

71" Thiago's piledriver is deflected off Iniesta giving Stegen time to collect.

70" With 20 minutes left either team needs to make a change as the match is looking predictable.

68" YELLOW! Frustration getting to Barca as Neymar is booked.

65" YELLOW! Pique cautioned for harsh tackle on Lewandowski. Alonso's free-kick is headed for a corner by Busquets.

62" Barca need to find that goal which is getting as difficult as finding a needle in a haystack. Xavi is seen warming up on the sidelines.

60" Timely charge by Neuer denies Neymar from what could have been a goal.

59" Neymar's silken touch and dribbling is well appreciated by the fans but Bayern are not giving in easily.

57" Good one-two between Messi and Neymar with the Argentinian taking a left footer but straight into the gloves of Neuer.

55" YELLOW! Bernat is cautioned now. Bayern need to be careful.

51" YELLOW! Benatia goes down in the referee's book after tripping Iniesta who was looking good after jinking past two players.

49" Bayern begin to press after being on receiving end in first half but Stegen does well to make some collections.

46" YELLOW! Alves booked for pulling Lewandowski down just outside the box. Alonso slams his free-kick into the wall.

Half-time

Barcelona 0 Bayern 0

Bayern's Manuel Neuer stood tall in goal to keep a clean slate against Barcelona in the first 45 minutes of the Champions League 1st leg semi-final at the Camp Nou.

Germany's No. 1 goalkeeper was outstanding in denying two sure-shot goals from Luis Suarez and Dani Alves.

Bayern were more on the defensive but they had one clear-cut chance to go ahead when Lewandowski missed to connect a cross from Muller with only goalkeeper Ter Stegen at his mercy.

45" The long whistle has gone.

42" It looks like a one man show from Neuer and if Bayern have managed to keep Barca at bay they have to thank their keeper.

39" Neuer saves a blinder after Alves chests down a lob from Iniesta and tries to beat the keeper.

37" Good control shown by Muller with his back to a defender. Gets clear of his marker and crosses but Stegen is well placed to collet it.

34" YELLOW! Alonso booked for bringing down Messi who takes the free-kick only for Neuer to go in the right direction.

33" Barca are cramped for space. Although they have six players on top of the Bayern box they find it difficult to break through.

28" Thiago tries a curling kick which sails wide.

25" Superb breakthrough from Barca where the triumvirate of Messi, Neymar and Suarez almost run the Bayern defence ragged. No goal though after Suarez heads over from a corner..

22" Bayern earn a free-kick some 25 yards away but make such a mess of it after Alonso lobbed the ball which fell in no-man's land.

21" Superb dribbling skills by Messi on the top of the box. He then tries to chip it to the far corner but misses the target even as Neymar comes charging in.  

17" It's Bayern's turn to miss a golden opportunity after Muller's cross sees Lewandowski missing from hand-shaking distance off Ter Stegen.

14" Now Neymar misses from close after some great work from Suarez.

11" Suarez holds his head in his hands after failing to beat Neuer on a one-to-one situation. Great stop by the advancing German keeper spreading his legs to block Suarez.

9" Action changing hands swiftly here as Rakitic, Messi and Suarez are crowded on top of Bayern box and from counter Lewandowski tries to find Muller but Pique and Mascherano surround him.

6" Messi and Suarez almost break through but Suarez is a bit late and then takes a weak shot which Neuer collects.

5" Lewandowski has a powerful shot being blocked by Alves.

3" Bayern have already made three back-passes and on one such occasion Suarez almost got there but for Boateng who shrugged him down forcing the Uruguayan to appeal for a foul.

The action begins at the Camp Nou.

Players are in the tunnel while the Camp Nou looks like it is painted in Barca colours.

Five minutes from kick-off.

Cameras have been busy chasing Messi, Neymar and Suarez as they limber up after Bayern lack big names with Robben, Ribery and Alaba all ruled out. 10 minutes away from kick-off.

Both teams are in the middle for a light workout. Another 20 minutes to go. Expect a cracker of a match as Barcelona and Bayern are known for attacking football.

Kick-off in a little over 30 minutes.

Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich make seven changes from the side beaten by Bayer Leverkusen. Robert Lewandowski starts with a broken jaw, he will wear a mask.

Barcelona make one change bringing in Marc-Andre ter Stegen in goal.

STARTING XI

Bayern: Neuer, Alonso, Benatia, Thiago, Lewandowski, Rafinha, Boateng, Bernat, Lahm, Muller, Schweinsteiger.

Subs: Reina, Dante, Javi Martinez, Pizarro, Gaudino, Gotze, Weiser.

Barcelona: Ter Stegen, Pique, Rakitic, Busquets, Iniesta, Suarez, Messi, Neymar, Mascherano, Alba, Alves.

Subs: Bravo, Xavi, Pedro, Rafinha, Bartra, Adriano, Vermaelen.

Referee: Nicola Rizzoli (Italy)

TEAM NEWS

Bayern Munich will hope Robert Lewandowski is able to play with a protective mask during their Champions League semi-final first leg with Barcelona at the Nou Camp tonight.

The striker broke his nose and jaw during a clash with Borussia Dortmund goalkeeper Mitchell Langerak in Bayern's German Cup semi-final defeat.

Bayern are without long-term absentees Arjen Robben, Franck Ribery, David Alaba and Holger Badstuber.

On the other hand Barca only have one absentee and that is injured centre-back Jeremy Mathieu.

STAT ATTACK

Barca's South American trio of Messi, Neymar and Suarez have reached a scorching 108 goals for the season

Messi is on 51 goals in all competitions, Neymar on 33 and Suarez on 24.
 
Barca crashed to a 7-0 aggregate defeat to Bayern in the last four of Europe's elite club competition two years ago
 
Barcelona have won their last 8 matches in the Champions League (including qualifiers).
 
Bayern won the 25th German League title last week
 
Bayern coach Guardiola won 14 cups and titles in his four years with Barcelona
 
Bayern have won their last 3 matches against Barcelona in all competitions.
 
Lewandowski is Bayern's top scorer with 23 goals
 
PROBABLE FORMATIONS
 
Barcelona: 1-4-3-3
 
Bayern: 1-2-4-3
 
Preview

Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola says there is no way of stopping Barcelona's Lionel Messi in his present form ahead of their Champions League semi-final clash on Wednesday.

In his former role as Barca boss, Guardiola frequently described Messi as the best player in the world.

He visited the Nou Camp as a spectator to watch his former club take apart Manchester City in the last 16 and was pictured in the stands shaking his head in disbelief as Messi wove his magic.

He now has the opportunity to pitch his Bayern side against the club where he is still idolised for what he achieved as both a player and coach.

If he is to emerge a winner at the Nou Camp, he says his side will have to find other ways to beat Barca than trying to cut out the threat of Messi.

“You don’t stop Messi, in this form, no,” Guardiola told a news conference in Barcelona on Tuesday.

"In the last few months he has been unstoppable. He is too good. Maybe you can try different tactics like getting close to him, making it difficult for him to get the ball, put three players on him but against talent of this size then you cannot defend against it. We will have to look at other ways to win the game.”

The Argentine has scored 51 goals in all competitions this season and is part of a formidable attacking trident with Luis Suarez and Neymar. They have notched up 108 goals between them.

Guardiola also feels it would be futile to try and beat Barcelona at their own possession-based game.

"No team has beaten Barcelona for possession. It has always been like that," said the Bayern coach.

"We will do what I think is necessary though and we will see who is in (the final in) Berlin next week.

“It is difficult to find weaknesses in this Barca team which has so much talent but we will try and make the most of our virtues. Barca have talent and they know how to play together.”

While Guardiola admits it is likely to be an emotional occasion, he is clear in his mind about what he needs to do.

“It is great to be here and it is impossible not to think of the memories. I knew that if I trained other big teams I would come here with them but I am not here for people to pay homage but to take Bayern to the final,” he said.