Bayern admit they need a ‘sensation’ to progress

Honorary president Beckenbauer fumes as Mueller feels dramatic turnaround against Barcelona unlikely

Thomas Mueller says Bayern Munich fans cannot expect another miracle fightback, like they saw against Porto, following their 3-0 semi-final drubbing at Barcelona in the Champions League.

Lionel Messi’s inspired performance saw Barca score all three goals in the final 17 minutes, with the midfield maestro netting twice in three minutes to stun Pep Guardiola’s Bayern before putting Neymar through to score the hosts’ third goal.

Messi’s magical footwork at the Camp Nou for his second left Germany defender Jerome Boateng flat on the turf in a move former England international Jamie Redknapp described as “almost illegal”.

“They completely fell apart, that should have never happened,” fumed Bayern’s honorary president Franz Beckenbauer. “It would be a sensation now to turn this around.”

The defeat means the Germans must score at least three goals in the return at Munich’s Allianz Arena on Tuesday to reach the June 6 final in Berlin.

Fightback not on

But Mueller said their fans can forget another fightback which saw Bayern reach the semi-finals with a 6-1 quarter-final drubbing of Porto at home having lost 3-1 away. “You can’t expect the return leg to go the way it did against Porto, but the 11 guys on the pitch will give their all once more until the last second,” said Mueller, who argued with Guardiola after his second-half substitution.

“Now we have to stand together as a team.

“We are FC Bayern and we’ll keep our heads up.”

No side has ever come back from losing the first-leg 3-0 in the semi-final of the Champions League or European Cup — especially against Barcelona.

“The last drop of hope is the game against Porto,” insisted Bayern’s optimistic goalkeeper Manuel Neuer. “Never say never.”