Bayern too powerful for Porto in Champs League
Paris, April 22: Doubles from Robert Lewandowski and Neymar inspired Bayern Munich and Barcelona respectively into the Champions League semifinals.
Lewandowski’s brace came in a crazy first half on Tuesday when Bayern rattled five goals past a demoralised Porto side, who had come into the game leading 3-1 after the first leg and with real hopes of reaching their first semifinal since they won the trophy in 2004.
The game ended 6-1 and a 7-4 aggregate victory for Bayern and extended their coach Pep Guardiola’s remarkable record in the competition where in six campaigns he has never failed to reach the last four.
For his opposite number Julen Lopetegui, it was a devastating evening. “The first half here in Munich cost us everything, we were punished and now we have to pick ourselves up again,” said Lopetegui.
Neymar also scored his double in the first half for Guardiola’s former side Barcelona — whom he guided to two Champions League trophies in his spell there — as they eased to a 20 win on the night and a 5-1 aggregate win over French champions Paris Saint Germain.
“I am very happy with the season I am having and we need to continue like this to achieve our objectives. We need to keep going and get to the final,” said Neymar, who took his tally to 30 goals for the season.
“In my first goal Iniesta did everything. All I had to do was dribble past the goalkeeper and score.”
While Barcelona, who have won 23 and drawn one of their last 25 games, reached their seventh semifinal in eight seasons, for PSG it was their third successive exit at this stage.
PSG coach Laurent Blanc had said prior to the game that they weren’t coming on a ‘school trip’ but hav- ing been made to look like children playing against adults, he felt deflated. “We knew Barcelona were better than us. When I say there are things lacking, I mean Barca are a stronger team than us,” said Blanc.
“To compete with a team like Barcelona, we need all of our strengths and we need them at 120 per cent. It wasn’t the case in those two games,” the Frenchman added.
“Realising a treble (Ligue 1+French Cup+League Cup which they have already won) is still a goal for the players and the staff. It feels a bit out of place to talk about this tonight, however. We are disappointed. It hurts to be out of the competition but we need to rest for the game against Lille (on Saturday) because, as you know, the calendar won’t allow much time to rest,” Blanc continued.
I hope Paris don’t have to wait so long. The semifinalists tonight are Barca and Bayern who have a huge football potential and took time to get there. Paris will achieve it one day but we have to have patience.
PSG coach
— AFP