AFTER LAST WEEK’S first leg, Bayern Munich faced a huge task to overturn a three-goal deficit tonight when Barcelona visit the Allianz Arena.
Could Pep Guardiola mastermind one of the greatest comebacks of all time?
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Good evening and welcome to our coverage of tonight’s Champions League semi-final second leg in Munich. There’s no way back for Bayern, surely?
No team who has won 3-0 in a Champions League knockout first leg has been eliminated and after Lionel Messi’s heroics six days ago, Barcelona are in command of this tie.
But, Bayern are a different proposition at home having thumped Porto 6-1 here in the last round and they scored seven past Shakhtar Donestsk in the last 16. Whatever happens, we should be in for an open, free-flowing game between two of Europe’s heavyweights.
First things first let’s have a look at tonight’s teams.
Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben are still absent for Bayern while David Alaba is also sidelined. It’s as you were for the German side with Guardiola placing faith in the players that were undone by Messi last week.
Bayern Munich: Neuer; Rafinha, Benatia, Boateng, Bernat; Lahm, Schweinsteiger, Xabi Alonso, Thiago; Müller, Lewandowski.
Unsurprisingly, Luis Enrqiue has also named an unchanged side with Messi, Suarez and Neymar forming a formidable front line. You would imagine the defence will be under the spotlight tonight with Javier Mascherano once again given the nod to partner Pique.
Barcelona: Ter Stegen; Daniel Alves, Piqué, Mascherano, Jordi Alba; Rakitic, Busquets, Iniesta; Messi, Suárez, Neymar.
We’re a little over a half an hour until kick-off but to pass the time, here’s some pre-match reading on the questions to be answered during tonight’s game.
If you missed last week’s first leg or simply want to relive the Lionel Messi show, here are some highlights of the action:
If you are a Bayern fan, this statistic won’t instil you with much confidence…
Here’s a couple of pre-match facts from Opta:
- 100% of the teams that have won 3-0 in the first leg of a knockout Champions League have managed to go through.
- Barcelona have hit the woodwork six times in the Champions League this season, highest alongside Real Madrid.
- Bayern Munich beat Barcelona 4-0 in their last home game against the Spanish side in April 2013.
- Barcelona are looking for their first win in Munich..
How do you stop him? Lionel Messi has scored ten Champions League goals this term and is leading Cristiano Ronaldo in the all-time goal scoring charts on 77.
CHANCE! Manuel Neuer keeps Bayern in this tie as Rakitic finds himself through on goal but the ‘keeper gets down well low to his right to parry the shot to safety.
GOAL! Bayern Munich 1-0 Barcelona (Benatia)
Game on! From a corner, Benatia isn’t picked up and he has the freedom of the box to head home and reduce the deficit. Poor, poor marking from Barcelona but the defender still had a lot to do and his header was powerful.
The Allianz Arena is bouncing after an electric start from the hosts. Bayern are pressing extremely high and putting pressure on Barcelona when they’re in possession. Just before the goal, Mueller found space down the left and cut it back for Thiago but his effort was blocked.
Barcelona are all over the place at the back. Jordi Alba gifts possession to the home side and it eventually falls to Lewandowski in the box but he is unable to shake off Pique and the chance is gone.
Moments later, the ball sits up nicely for Schweinsteiger but his effort was always sailing wide. Breathless start in Munich.
GOAL! Bayern Munich 1-1 Barcelona (Neymar)
Incredible! Messi plays a beautiful ball through for Suarez and the Uruguayan has the composure to square for Neymar and he has the simple task of slotting home from close range with Neuer scrambling.
That’s surely game over now. Bayern need four goals without reply and they were carved open far too easily there.
It’s gone very quiet inside the Allianz Arena again and every time Barcelona flow forward, they look like scoring. On this occasion, Suarez just went too early and is flagged offside.
Lahm whips in a cross from the right, Muller rises highest but his looping header is clawed around the post by Ter Stegen.
Barcelona are doing what they do best and they’re taking the sting out of any potential Bayern riposte. The home fans behind Neuer’s goal continue to bounce up and down but their team have been second best again tonight so far.
CHANCE! Out of nothing, Muller skips away from a couple of Barca shirts after a square ball inside from Lahm but Lewandowski is unable to apply the finishing touches as he pokes straight at the ‘keeper.
Messi looks in the mood again tonight as he continues to pick holes in the Bayern defence. Alves embarks on a run down the left and pulls it back for the Argentinian, who strikes first time but his volley is straight at Neuer.
GOAL! Bayern Munich 1-2 Barcelona (Neymar)
Same combination, same result. Bayern are so open at the back and Suarez gathers Messi’s flick on to square, yet again, for Neymar and the Brazilian controls before firing low past Neuer. That was his 50th goal for Barcelona.
That has to be curtains. Bayern are just so open at the back and Barcelona are running riot. This could be anything if the hosts don’t tighten up.
All the goals can be watched here
Incredible piece of skill from Suarez on the touchline as he flicks the ball over his Thiago’s head before latching onto it himself. Outstanding.
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Bayern can’t get anywhere near Barca as the Spanish side run rings around their opponents. Pep Guardiola shakes his head on the touchline and even he can’t have any answers to this.
SAVE! Lovely move from Bayern but Ter Stegen is equal to it. Benatia’s cross is met by Schweinsteiger, who bullets a header goal wards but the ‘keeper tips it over the bar.
OFF THE LINE! Another moment of brilliance from Ter Stegen as he somehow stops Lewandowski’s powerful shot from close range with a strong hand and then as the ball trickles goal wards, is quickly up to claw it off the line.
Rafina is the first man in the book for a kick at Iniesta.
That was some save from Ter Stegen to deny Lewandowski but the Polish striker needs to score there.
Here’s that save:
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It’s been frantic from the first minute in Munich but still no way through for Bayern as they look to eat into this deficit. Benatia again has a free header from an Alonso free-kick but he can’t get the direction on it and his effort was never troubling Ter Stegen.
We’ll have three minutes of additional time at the end of this first period.
Muller forces his way through and digs out a low cross but it’s cut out by the out-stretched leg of Pique. Thiago then goes into the book for a tug on Mascherano and shows his frustration by kicking the ball away too.
And that brings a frantic and absorbing first-half to an end with Barcelona extending their advantage. We’re off to catch our breath.
Back underway in Munich where it’s been the Barcelona show thus far.
Pedro has replaced Luis Suarez at the break. No changes for Bayern as they go in search of five goals.
The second-half has started in the same pattern as the first. Barcelona continue to pass and pass and then pass a bit more. They eventually relinquish possession and Ter Stegen is forced to make a comfortable save from Schweinsteiger.
Another chance, this time for Messi but Boateng comes across to block and avert the danger, for now.
It’s gone a bit flat at the minute and the fear is it could be like this for the final 37 minutes. Barca are happy to pass the ball around the back with Bayern unable to shut down the space.
There’s not a lot happening, to be quite honest. The Bayern fans continue to be in fine voice but the writing is on the wall for their side.
GOAL! Bayern Munich 2-2 Barcelona (Lewandowski)
Alonso pings a ball into the feet of Lewandowski and the Polish striker shows great feet and skill to manufacture a yard and curl the ball around Mascherano and into the corner from 18 yards with Ter Stegen left rooted to the spot.
Is there life for Bayern yet? Let’s not get too excited but that was a lovely goal from a player who’s spurned several chances across the two legs. If the hosts can get another quickly, this vulnerable Barcelona defence may just feel the heat.
CLOSE! A set-piece is lofted into the Barca box and they fail to deal with it again and eventually Muller has the opening to shoot but he’s unable to get his foot around it as he swivels at the same time.
Bayern look far more threatening since that goal and are looking to work the ball down the flanks to stretch Barca. Lahm embarks on one of his mazy runs but just as he looks to cut infield and shoot, the German fullback is blocked out.
It’s been a frustrating night for Bayern.
Rakitic, having just been booked, is withdrawn and Mathieu is brought on in his place. Sensible move from Enrique as Barca just look to see this out now with Berlin edging ever closer for the La Liga club.
Barca are, of course, still in the hunt for a treble as they can clinch the Spanish title this weekend, are in the cup final and now are on the cusp of the Champions League final. It’s been some first season for Enrique at the helm.
GOAL! Bayern Munich 3-2 Barcelona (Muller)
Bayern get another as Schweinsteiger tees-up Muller on the edge of the area and the latter uses Mathieu as a shield to curl it past the helpless Ter Stegen. Guardiola’s side still need three.
Xavi has replaced Iniesta with the former making Champions League history by becoming the first player to make 150 appearances in the competition.
Guardiola is pacing up and down the technical area. 14 minutes remaining, three goals needed. Could they? No….
Home fans trying to rally their side as cries of ‘Bayern, Bayern’ echo around the vast arena. They’re very nearly on their feet again as Lewandowski’s shot crashes into the side netting via a slight deflection off Pique but the resulting corner comes to nothing.
It’s all Bayern but they aren’t really going anywhere as Barca have dropped deep in an attempt to keep things tight. Alonso relieves all the pressure with a poor touch before fouling Pedro as he becomes the fourth Bayern player to go into the book.
Frustration as another chance goes a begging. Bayern stream forward and it falls to Muller on the right but instead of driving at the defence, he attempts to cross for Thiago and the ball goes out.
SHOT! Bayern continue to find space in the final third. Lewandowski has time to control and turn but his shot is ambitious and it was never on target. Pedro is the latest player to be booked by Mark Clattenburg.
The Bayern fans are making some noise considering their side are minutes away from being dumped out of the Champions League but they continue to bounce behind the goal away to the right.
That was nearly the icing on the cake as Neymar unselfishly attempts to cross for Messi when he probably should have taken it on for himself. In the end, his square ball was over hit and the chance was gone as Bayern got numbers back.
Irish qualified out half who doesn’t play for any of the three other provinces,…..has to be Garth Steenson!?
@Bo Jangles Gavigan: or AJ McGinty?
@Fergus Robson: Not sure AJ is still IQ as he has declared for the US and is their starting out half. It’s either Steenson or he’s bluffing and it’s Keatley or JJ.
@Fergus Robson: bo jangles who???
@Bo Jangles Gavigan: “…think laterally at times” – has to be Keatley. Steenson of 2-3 years ago would have been a great option alright. Bit auld now?
@Alexi: I’d agree about his age but saying that he’d be a great short term option for a few years while they develop some talent and he’d provide some quality leadership to an Ulster team who’ve admitted themselves are in transition.
I reckon it’s all a big bluff though and we could very well end up seeing Keats at Ulster yet.
@Bo Jangles Gavigan: agree about steenson as a stop gap/ mentor outhalf. He has huge influence at exeter and look how well they’ve consistently performed
@Bo Jangles Gavigan: @fithypete makes sense but on a separate note, I would guess he is very settled at Exeter.. must be there a good few years now
David Nicofora doesn’t get the credit he deserves
I dont mind having an Irish option but the reality is we have NIQ spaces, plenty of spare wages given who we have lost and a paper thin squad (especially in the backs). We need to bring in 2/3 more players
Outside bet could be Tyler Bleyendaal. He is or is about to be Irish qualified and would expect now to be behind Carberry
@Patrick Barton: Wouldn’t be surprised given Ulster’s history of signing injury prone players
@Patrick Barton: keep him in Munster. Pay your own wage bill..
I would rather see Ulster stick with McPhilips, Lowry and Curtis. It’s not as if we are going to win anything. None of the other names mentioned are realistic.
We keep hearing how Joe and DN are committed to making Ulster strong again but little sign of it. No coach until 2019, no physio or s and c coach, no CEO.
Player pool is threadbare with 12 players leaving, Marshall out with Acl and Ludik out
with a career threatening injury
DN claims someone will fill in for McFarland if he does not come till 2019. We were told that Farrell was going to help out after the 6 Nations. He never arrived.
@Patrick Barton: if he can stay injury free he’d be the best choice from an Ulster point of view. Good player, did very well for Munster in the 2016/17 season but kind of imploded towards the end. Having said that, he had Williams at 9 when his form dipped and I wouldn’t say that was a coincidence!
@Daniel Casey: He’s one injury away from retirement. Keep him on your wage bill.
@Trevor Johnston: thank you Trevor, perfectly put.
Jack carthy to Ulster is the word on the street…
@Anto Whelan: Moving 2 or 3rd choice is fine. But it’d be a poor form to move Connacht’s in contract first choice. It would be a real sign of what the IRFU think of Connacht.
Mark my words Madigan will be back at Leinster if sexton gets injured.
@Chris Mc: There is literally no hope of that happening. Madigan is in contract and earning far more than Leinster or IRFU would want to or should pay him. A short term injury deal wouldn’t be an option, and considering Madigan won’t be avail until he’s 30 and we have Ross Byrne (plus the fact Madigan isn’t great) it’s just not realistic, no matter how much you keep pushing it!
@Chris Mc: u don’t rate Ross Byrne or Frawley?
@Chris Mc:
All the talk about Madigan, his not even that good.
He had glimpses with Leinster and Ireland, that’s all tho. Plus his age profile. And obviously his wage bill.
@Jim Demps: the only other Irish our half is like to see at Ravenhill next season apart from Ross Byrne is Jonny Sexton , and that won’t happen . So Ross Byrne is the best Irish option available and that was the case before Carbery went to Munster .
@Peter Dickson: and I have fat fingers.
@Jim Demps: Chris doesn’t rate them. The rest of us do.
@Peter Dickson: Ross Byrne isn’t going to Ulster
@Conor Paddington: I haven’t seen anything of frawley but Byrne is a fine player. Not perfect like Chris wants but he’s only 23.
I’d imagine the Irfu IQ team are negotiating with someone from abroad who’s got Irish ties that no one has suggested yet. ( I was thinking Simon Hickey but he’s signed for Edinburgh) Mike Haley was a bolt from the blue but a fine signing for us.
@Jim Demps: frawley yes I rate him very highly but he’s very inexperienced , Byrne is a very good player but plays too deep and I’m not sure of his defence. Just not my cup of tea.
My point is if sexton gets injured Leinster will buy and the carrot of playing for them and a shot at another World Cup would be hard to resist.
Mad Dog?
@Philip Farrell: They can’t buy him as the petition to rename the RDS has enough signatures I hear….
@grandslamkbo: What’s it to be El Madrigal or Madigan Square Gardens?
Magidan has really improved in both and defence under pat lamb. Started most games and great breaks and tackles this season. He is great option but is already on lucrative contact.
@slyi: Madigan has been playing 2nd tier rugby . If he didn’t look good/better something would be very wrong .
I dont know why people mention Madigan for Ulster? he’s reported to be on a €500,000 salary double what Jackson was being paid and he isaqq half the player at outhalf.
Has only made first choice 10 in the second tier, couldnt push past Gopperth, Jackson, Keatley or Hinkley.
He’s not worth what Ulster were paying Jackson, so would he really move to Ulster for less than half of what he is being paid now? Its a non starter.
DN said it wouldnt be someone already at a province and I cant see Steenson moving at this stage of his career. All the NH would be signed up for the season and if Ulster have troubke getting McFarland early i cant see them biying someone out of contract. It all points to a non capped super rugby player with a Irish parent/grandparent we didnt know about.
Has to be either Steenson, Madigan, Bleyendaal or JJ.
@Peter Nagle: why not keatley?
Burns brothers IQ?