Goal.com takes a look at how the world’s press reacted to the Bundesliga champions’ thrashing of the Catalan giants on Tuesday
When Bayern Munich were paired with Barcelona during the draw for the Champions League semi-finals in Nyon earlier this month, many expected a close pair of encounters between the two European superpowers.
Both sides have made it to the final of European club football’s elite competition more than once in recent years and were among the favourites to make it to Wembley this season.
Nevertheless, the Bundesliga giants showed little interest in keeping things open after the first leg, as they hammered the Blaugrana 4-0 at the Allianz Arena to effectively decide the tie after just 90 minutes.
A first-half goal from Thomas Muller gifted Bayern the lead at half-time, before Mario Gomez, again Muller and Arjen Robben poured even more salt in Barca’s wounds after the interval.
Die Roten‘s convincing win will possibly not have come as a huge surprise to close followers of German football, yet was quite a shock for people across the world.
Goal.com lines up the reactions in the global media, starting with German publications Bild and Welt, who were both jubilant after Bayern’s home win.
Bild
Mega Bayern!
European football is shivering after the Bavarians’ win over Barca. Which team can stop the German champions on their way to the title?
Welt
Bayern reign and humiliate
Bayern’s victory over Barcelona was a historic win. The result is on par with Bayern’s Champions League win in 2001 and indicates that a new era in European football is about to start.
Meanwhile, focus in the Spanish press lies on Barcelona’s demise as both AS and El Mundo Deportivo believe the Catalans were outplayed.
AS
End of an era
Bayern taught Barca a lesson physically and tactically. Viktor Kassai made many controversial decisions, ignoring two penalties for Bayern and letting three illegal goals stand. Muller (2), Gomez and Robben scored the goals that put Barca on the brink of exiting the competition.
El Mundo Deportivo
Nightmare
Exultant Bayern destroy unrecognisable Barcelona. Images of Barca bring back memories of infamous final against Milan in 1994.
The German’s dominance at the Allianz Arena also didn’t go unnoticed in the UK, with The Times heaping praise on Thomas Muller, while The Sun highlighted Lionel Messi’s anonymous performance.
The Times
Mullered: Barcelona crushed as brilliant Bayern move to brink of final
It will go down as one of those great nights when European football was shaken to the core. As Bayern Munich took a giant step towards the Champions League final with a spectacular victory to humble the mighty Barcelona, it was hard to avoid feeling that the team crying out for Pep Guardiola was the one from his past, not his future.
The Sun
Bayern make a Messi of Barca
Jupp Heynckes revealed he masterminded Bayern Munich’s thrashing of Barcelona with a Powerpoint presentation.
The Italians, who saw Serie A representatives Juventus crash out against Bayern in the quarter-finals, were quick to acknowledge Bayern’s superiority and felt Barca never stood a chance.
La Gazzettta dello Sport
Bayern uber alles
Barcelona destroyed as Germans take giant step toward final.
Tuttosport
Bay Bay Barca
Muller unleashed, two goals and an assist. Messi nothing more than a non-paying spectator. Catalans drown in Allianz Arena basin.
Outside of Europe, the American press felt Tuesday’s game was further proof that Bayern are ready to rule Europe, with both Fox Soccer and ESPN agreeing that Barca were humiliated.
Fox Soccer
Blown away
Bayern stages humiliating clinic at Barcelona’s expense.
ESPN
Statement game
By thumping Barca, Bayern showed it’s ready to rule Europe.
Finally, South-African papers The Star and The Times were equally impressed with Bayern’s fine performance as they feel Barca were taught a lesson.
The Star
Barca crushed by rampant Bayern
Bayern Munich gave Barcelona an epic lesson in power and speed during their Champions League clash.
The Times
Bayern show no Messi
Bayern Munich’s incredible season continued when they handed Barcelona one of their heaviest defeats in years.