adminBERLIN. — Thomas Mueller says Bayern Munich fans cannot expect another miracle fight-back, 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 13 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.
But Mueller said their fans can forget another fight-back which saw Bayern reach the semi-finals with a 6-1 quarter-final drubbing of Porto at home having lost 3-1 away.
“You cannot 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.”
Bayern’s dreams of a treble-winning season have evaporated in a little over a week after their German Cup semi-final exit on penalties to Borussia Dortmund last Tuesday and their heavy defeat in Barcelona having wrapped up their 25th Bundesliga title 10 days ago.
While it is mathematically possible for Bayern to progress, they need a footballing miracle similar to Deportivo La Coruna’s 4-0 rout of AC Milan, having lost the first-leg 4-1 in Italy, in the 2004 quarter-finals.
But 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.
But Guardiola said Messi made the difference, as the Argentinian ruined Pep’s homecoming on his return after winning 14 trophies in four years with Barcelona from 2008-12.
“We did well for a long period,” said Guardiola before the game fell dramatically away from his team on 77 minutes.
“We wanted to control the game and keep the ball away from Barcelona as much as possible — which we did. But Messi simply made the difference and it’s a pity we conceded the third goal.
“The return leg will now be complicated, but we will fight hard.”
Guardiola looked like every inch the beaten man after Messi’s master-class. “You are always exposed when you face Messi,” he said. “We knew what we were up against.”
The former Barcelona coach made much of his team having the greater share of possession and said he had no reason to reproach his players.
Guardiola said: “We controlled the game in the first half, but then the goals come. The last goal is a great shame because with just 2-0 you have more of a chance. The third goal was avoidable. We were unable to keep the ball after the break, but I’m proud of the players.”
Players from both sides paid tribute to Messi. ‘There are no words for him; you just have to watch him play and enjoy,” said Barcelona keeper Marc Andre Ter Stegen. For the man at the other end of the pitch it was difficult to see things the same way.
Manuel Neuer said: “We saw against Porto that it is never over until it’s over. We must try to believe. But we know that we are playing against a very different team this time.”
Bayern had held out for 77 minutes and had the greater share of possession, but chances were few and far between.
“We were very good defensively,” said Gerard Pique. “Bayern barely had a shot at goal in the 90 minutes. We made the most of their weak points.”
Asked about the second leg next Tuesday, Javier Mascherano said: “We have Messi, so it’s advantage to us you would think.
“We played the game that we wanted to play, we are very happy. We know it will be difficult in Germany, but this is a good advantage to take there.”
Injuries have cost Bayern dearly in recent weeks, with wingers Arjen Robben, who has scored 19 goals this season before tearing stomach muscles, then his calf on his return, and Franck Ribery both sidelined.
Striker Robert Lewandowski played with a mask in Barcelona after fracturing his cheekbone and nose in the defeat to Dortmund.
“You can’t complain about the way the team has performed up until now, they fight and give everything,” said Bayern’s director of sport Matthias Sammer.
“Against Barcelona, we were pushed to the limits because of the whole situation.
“We stood up well for 77 minutes against a team that is at the top of its game and are probably the best in Europe.
“We lost a bit of our order at the end and tried too hard. We’ll be at home in the return leg and our fans need to get behind us.
“We need to shake off this defeat and digest the result.” — AFP.
Online Reporter