The Bayern Juggernaut rolls on

Jupp Heynckes, the 67 year old manager of Bayern Munich had this to say after his team's decimation of Barcelona on Tuesday night: ""We've been playing extraordinary football all season. It was not a really big surprise to me that we scored four goals. We have played to a high level all season."

THE BEATING
The beating that Barcelona received at the hands of Heynckes' team was a first; it was the first time any team had suffered a 4-0 defeat in the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League. For a lot of Barca fans as well as other football aficionados not entirely attuned to the exploits of Bayern Munich this season, the result was a shocker. But, as Heynckes so gleefully pointed out, they have been playing "extraordinary football" all season and this result was if anything, a strong reinforcement of that very fact.

“They were physically very strong,’’ said Xavi. “In fact they were superior. We didn't create chances. It’s a dreadful result. No excuses.’’ added Xavi afterwards. “They have been the better team and we congratulate them.” This is an uncharacteristic line towed by Barca and Xavi, where upon previous exits to Chelsea and Inter Milan, the Spanish midfielder had taken the moral high ground saying the opposition did not play football the right way and that they attempted to play a 'dirty' game.

Tuesday's beating though was different. There was a sense amongst almost all Barca players that they had just been taken to the cleaners by a far superior footballing unit. Lionel Messi too agreed: “Bayern were the better team, in everything,’’ said Barcelona’s No 10, who had clearly not recovered from a recent hamstring problem. “They’re stronger, scored twice from set-pieces, every second ball was for them.’’

Gerard Pique, never one to shy away from giving his thoughts was candid, “They thrashed us, the referee didn't have an influence. It is almost impossible for us, but we have to show some face in the return-leg. They were quicker, stronger and better.”

THE BAYERN BEAST

Bayern were Runners-Up to Chelsea in last year's edition of the Champions League. In all fairness, it was a game that they dominated, but somehow contrived to lose in front of their home supporters. That disappointment has only added to their desire to conquer all and sundry that appear before them this term. In making the semi-finals this year, Barcelona had achieved a rare distinction of making 6 consecutive semi-final appearances. It is in a way a fair reflection of the dominance that the team from Catalonia has exerted on this competition.

The German club have not been far behind; Heynckes has led Bayern to two of the last three finals, and a third in four years, looks an inevitability after Tuesday's demolition job. The sourness from their inability to cross the final hurdle on a couple of occasions still lingers and Heynckes pointed it out after the game - "Falling short of success in the past two years has only made them hungrier to win this year. The tactical awareness of this team is top notch as well, just like their willingness to run and fight for one another. Today's (Tuesday's) game was a perfect example of that."

This is a team that has been built carefully by Heynckes, who will be stepping down at the end of the year. After being outgunned to the Bundesliga title the last two years by Borussia Dortmund, Bayern addressed key areas of the squad in the summer. In central defence, Jerome Boateng and Holger Badstuber, were being exposed against more physical teams and pacy forwards. Dante, the tall bushy-haired Brazilian defender, was bought from Borussia Monchengladbach for about €4 million to help solve matters. The second piece of the puzzle was securing the services of Javi Martinez from Athletic Bilbao for a record transfer fee of €40 million. Mario Mandzukic after his stellar season last year for Wolfsburg, was poached for €13 million and the Swiss international Xherdan Shaqiri was purchased from FC Basel for €9 million to beef up the attack.

The addition of these players has helped address some of the shortcomings from previous seasons. Bayern have conceded only 14 goals in 30 Bundesliga games, an average of 0.46 goals per game, the best out of any leading side in the respective leagues - Barcelona have conceded 33 from 32 games (1.03), PSG 20 from 33 (0.60), Juventus 20 from 33 (0.60), Manchester United 35 from 34 (1.03), Ajax 31 from 31 (1.00).

They are also pressing the ball a lot better thereby allowing teams very little time on the ball. Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Lionel Messi constantly found themselves shackled and harassed by a player in a red shirt and the various channels that Barca constantly use were expertly cut out. ”You have got to analyse how an opponent plays, where they run, how they attack. Then find something you can hold against that. And I did that, I had a PowerPoint presentation, you could see all the runs they do. Defensively we were very strong, we worked very hard. Barcelona couldn't really do anything, they had one and a half chances.“, added Heynckes complimenting his team on their superlative effort.

The Bavarian giants have lost just 3 games all season, 1 in the league and 2 in the Champions League. Bayer Leverkusen are the only ones who have managed to upstage the Red Army of Munich domestically, while BATE Borisov and Arsenal registered unexpected convincing wins over them in Europe. Those results were merely an aberration in a season where the word 'thumping' has followed quite a few of Bayern's footballing encounters. Tuesday night was the 14th instance where Bayern had scored 4 or more goals in a match in all competitions. Over the weekend, they destroyed Hannover 6-1, even after the title had been well wrapped up and with several first-team regulars not playing! (Just to add, Hannover are 11th in the German league and not a bottom club). In 8 of those games, they've hit 5 or more - Stuttgart (6-1), Fortuna Dusseldorf (5-0), Hannover (5-0, 6-1), Werder Bremen (6-1), Hamburg (9-2), Wolfsburg (6-1), Lille (6-1) have all been at the receiving end of those maulings.

One striking feature of their play this season has been the spread of goals as well as the areas of attack. Of all their forward forays, 35% have come through the left flank, 39% through the right flank and 26% through the middle. In the Bundesliga, Mario Mandzukic is their top scorer with 15 goals while Thomas Muller has chipped in with 12 and the remainder of their 89 goals in total have come from others. Last year most of the goals were shared by Mario Gomez, who had 26 himself, and Ribery/Robben.

In the assist category, Franck Ribery, Muller and Philip Lahm are the joint top assisters in the Bundesliga with 10 each. Muller who bagged a double against Barca is their leading man in the Champions League with 7 and Bayern before Tuesday boasted one of the best attacks in this year's edition with 22 goals, second only to Real Madrid with 23.

The big picture hence shows a team that holds no dependence on any one player and hence Barca had an uphill task from the very first minute as they were going up against a superior team with strength and depth in all areas of the pitch and a team that has meticulously stuck to a system all year.


THE YOUNG BREED

Bayern's superb squad has been assembled with an excellent blend of marquee signings and young players who have come through from the Youth team. In fact, one of the features of Heynckes' current tenure has been his blooding of youngsters such as David Alaba, Thomas Muller and Toni Kroos who have made the transition from the youth team to being seasoned internationals amongst the best in the world.

The core of Bayern's team is made up of their own, players promoted through their academy. Both captain and vice-captain, Philip Lahm and Bastian Schweinsteiger, are Bayern through and through, having joined the club as teenagers. Defenders David Alaba, who has been a revelation the last 2 seasons, along with Holger Badstuber also made the progression up from junior ranks.So have midfielders Thomas Muller and Toni Kroos. This composition has helped in the excellent team chemistry that these players share much like Barcelona do with their core having played with each other so often. And all these players are first-teamers occupying key positions for the Bundesliga giants.

With the likes of dangerous wingers such Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery also in the squad, this is a team that is as dangerous as they come and one that makes for a heady concoction of talent.

THE BRAINS

The contribution of Jupp Heynckes to the Bayern project should not be undermined. The former Monchengladbach striker, is a master tactician when it comes to coaching and is one of the most decorated German coaches of all time. As evidenced from the transcripts above, his preparation for games is meticulous and is as animated as they come on the touchlines. Nicknamed 'Osram', for the way that his face tends to redden when under pressure or when agitated during a game, Heynckes in 34 years of management has authored many a success story in Germany as well as Spain.

In his first stint with Bayern Munich (1987-1991), he won two back-to-back Bundesliga titles. He moved on to Athletic Bilbao in 1992 and in his second season there led the Basques to a UEFA Cup (erstwhile Europa League) spot by finishing 5th in the league. He returned to Spain with Tenerife in 1995 and led them to a UEFA Cup spot in the very first season. Following his success with Tenerife, Spanish giants Real Madrid came calling in June 1997 and that would be where he would celebrate his greatest triumph till date.

In the 1997-98 season,  he delivered the Champions League trophy to the 'Los Blancos'. That win in Amsterdam, where they beat Juventus by a solitary goal, broke a 32 year barren run without Europe's premier trophy for Real. However, as has come to be with fickle owners, the German's contract was terminated at the end of the season due to Madrid finishing 4th in La Liga, 11 points behind champions Barcelona.

After not so successful short stints at a host of clubs, 'Osram' returned to the Allianz for a third stint (had a brief spell as caretaker manager after Juergen Klinsmann's sacking in April 2009) with the Bavarian club, which has so far been a successful run. A 22nd Bundesliga title has been wrapped up, reclaimed from Dortmund, in record time even; the title has never been won this early ever.

Heynckes' teams are well known for their discipline and commitment to team ethic. They are very well drilled and are very efficient in picking teams apart with ruthless elan. To an extent, the wily German coach has been  a little disappointed at the way Guardiola was appointed to succeed him even before the end of the season and he has expressed his willingness to leave with his head held high having delivered a historic treble to the club.

THE BAVARIAN SUPREMACY
Bayern before the game announced the addition of Dortmund's talented attacking midfielder Mario Goetze to  their ranks from next season, and there are rumors rife that his teammate and prolific striker Robert Lewandowski is poised to join him. Bayern's ambitions stretch far beyond any amount of success that comes their way this term; they are building for domination of the European club scene in years to come.

That spells bad news for Bayern's opponents, as not only are they going up against a very, very talented team with the wherewithal to bully opponents into submission, as Barcelona found out, but also a group of players smarting from the heartbreaks of recent seasons, and an incumbent manager determined to leave with a bar set at  a near stratospheric level for his successor to match.

Brilliant Bayern crush Barcelona at the Allianz Arena

A quite brilliant team performance from Bayern Munich saw them deliver a seemingly knock-out blow to Barcelona as they beat them 4-0 in the 1st leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final at the Allianz Arena.

It is not often that Barcelona get mauled by that margin in a game, but it was a special night in Munich, one that belonged to Bayern from start to finish. A double from Thomas Mueller, who was outstanding on the night, and a goal a piece for Mario Gomez and Arjen Robben left Barca needing nothing short of a miracle in the return leg in 8 days time to overturn this deficit.

Gomez came in for suspended striker Mario Mandzukic while Jerome Boateng replaced Daniel Van Buyten in defence in the only 2 changes made by Jupp Heynckes from the team that beat Juventus. Barcelona were missing the services of Carles Puyol and Javier Mascherano through injury, and that meant a start for youngster Marc Bartra alongside Gerard Pique. Lionel Messi was passed fit to play, but through his performance in the game gave the impression that he wasn't exactly a 100%.

Bayern got off the blocks quickly; after scoring a 2nd minute goal against Juve, they once again fashioned a scoring opportunity after just 4 minutes when Robben after some good work with captain Philip Lahm found himself in the box and stabbed a shot at goal that was saved by Victor Valdes. After the initial flurry, Bayern were quite content to give the ball to Barcelona, but ensured that they didn't get much beyond the half-way line as they pressed and harried the Catalan side when on the ball.

And, after retrieving it, they used it to devastating effect by playing balls into the space left behind by Barca's full-backs - Alves and Jordi Alba as Robben and Franck Ribery were let loose on the visitors. Bayern looked threatening every time they went forward and were unlucky to be denied a penalty early on when Pique looked to have stuck his arm out to keep out a Lahm effort.


Bayern broke through in the 23rd minute from a corner, 1 of 8 corners that they earned in the first half. After Barca failed to effectively clear Ribery's delivery, the ball fell to Robben who put in an uncharacteristic right-footed cross that was met by the head of Dante to guide it to Mueller who scored with a diving header of his own.

Every time the ball was lifted into the box, Bayern looked capable of scoring with Barcelona looking susceptible to a long known weakness. Bayern created a few more good openings but couldn't muster a second goal and proceeded to half-time with a 1-0 lead.

Barcelona did not have a single shot on target in the first half with Bayern keeper Manuel Neuer hardly called into action. Bayern's defence and midfield did such an excellent job of shackling Barcelona, not allowing them any time on the ball, that they ensured the visitors created next to nothing with limited forward passing.

In the second half, Bayern came out firing, looking to pick up from where they left off and Gomez soon doubled their advantage. From another corner, Robben's delivery was headed across goal by Mueller, and Gomez lashed in a left-footed finish from close range as Barca were undone once again by a ball into the box. Gomez did look marginally offside though.

Two goals to the good, Bayern afforded to sit back a bit deeper and hand Barcelona some more possession. It was an exercise in futility for Tito Vilanova's side who could not get anything going against an organized and well-drilled Munich side. Messi ghosted through much of the game and even when he got the ball at his feet, he was met with swift tackles and challenges from the Bayern players. Javi Martinez and Bastian Schweinsteiger had a colossal game in the heart of that Bayern midfield.

By now Barcelona were growing frustrated and it increasingly looked like Bayern would score a third rather than the 'Blaugrana' snatching a goal back as Mueller, Ribery and Robben were swamping all over Barca. Robben scored on 73 minutes after one of his trademark mazy runs and went on to finish from a tight angle on the right to make it 3-0; he was helped by a rather generous screen by Mueller on Jordi Alba before the Dutchman composed a cool finish past Valdes.

The Allianz Arena was delirious by now and Barcelona weren't able to find any answers to the threat that Bayern posed downt he flanks with David Alaba and Lahm also joining in towards the latter stages. That produced a fourth on 82 minutes, when Alaba and Robben combined to devastating effect with the Austrian lashing in a devilish low cross that was turned in by Mueller for his second and to enlarge the scoreline to 4-0.

Frustration boiled over for some of the Barcelona players towards the end and Jordi Alba was lucky to get just a yellow as he threw the ball onto Robben's face in an unsportsmanlike gesture. He will miss the second leg at the Camp Nou.

Just like the game, Bayern Munich were headline makers through the day. They began the morning with the news that they have acquired the talented Mario Gotze from rivals Borussia Dortmund, and they ended the night with a performance that lit up the Allianz Arena as they put Barcelona to the sword in a 4-0 thrashing.

Jupp Heynckes before the game told reporters that they had a plan. He mentioned that it wasn't the same as the one against Juventus, but they did have a plan. Bayern executed their plan to perfection and looked like a team set to dominate the European scene for a few years to come. Heynckes and his men after tonight are well on the Road to Wembley.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH

Thomas Mueller/Arjen Robben - Mueller normally reserves his best for the big games and showed his class tonight with a superb performance. Bayern's leading scorer in the tournament bagged a brace and ran the Barca defence ragged with his well-timed runs and link play as the 2nd striker at times.

Arjen Robben has just gotten better as the tournament has progressed and never stopped running like an Energizer bunny. His forays down the right flank kept Alba pegged back and he was a constant thorn in Barcelona's flesh. Was involved in all the goals on the night and displayed great commitment to team ethic by even getting back to defend and sharing the ball well.

Bayern Munich inflict first loss on Juventus

A strong home showing from Bayern Munich laid the platform for their progress into the semi-finals as they beat Juventus 2-0 in their 1st leg Quarterfinal match at the Allianz Arena. Juventus had not lost a single game in this year's competition coming into this tie and were distinctly average on a night when Bayern put them to the sword and would consider themselves fortunate to be down with only a 2 goal deficit.

The game began disastrously for Juve when they conceded after just 25 seconds to a speculative David Alaba shot from distance that took a deflection and bounced in front of 'Gigi' Buffon who could not stop it going into goal. Juve though recovered well from the early setback and hogged possession for a good period passing the ball around neatly and pegging Bayern back in their own half. But that was that for the Italians as it was all Bayern from then on.

Toni Kroos went off injured in the 21st minute with what looked like a groin strain and in came Arjen Robben who went out right with Thomas Mueller coming into the middle. The Dutchman's introduction actually helped the hosts as Robben, who looked sharp and was full of running, brought about an immediate impact. His ranging runs down the right flank opened up the Italians, who were playing with a back three, on numerous occasions. He had a left-footed drive from inside the box saved by Buffon and then fired just wide when Mueller burst forward down the right and squared to him. The combination of Ribery and Robben on the flanks was too much for Juve to handle and they were unable to cope with the increased threat. 

The Italians held on though and went to half-time just a goal behind. Forwards Alessandro Matri and Fabio Quagliarella barely had a sniff of the ball in the first half as they were predominantly left chasing lost causes. And it was a similar pattern of play in the second half as Munich pressed forward in search of more goals. Antonio Conte would have been very disappointed with his side's showing as they did not take care of the football with numerous mispasses dotting their game. The forwards too were unable to hold possession for any amount of time and this just increased the pressure on their defensive line as the match wore on.

It was only a matter of time before the second goal came, and when Luiz Gustavo's shot from outside the box was parried by Buffon it fell to Mario Mandzukic who unselfishly passed it to Mueller for a simple tap-in. Mandzukic who was impressive all night led the line superbly for the Bavarians chasing down Juve's defenders when they were on the ball denying them time to play the ball out of defence. Though he didn't get a goal, he was one of Bayern's standout performers on the night.

With the game slipping away, Conte brought on Mirko Vucinic and Sebastian Giovinco as Juventus went in search of a precious away goal in the last 15 minutes of the game. The change did help as Juve looked a much better side with the introduction of the duo and posed more of a threat on the Bayern goal. But, for all of the improvement in their play, they failed to create any clear cut opportunities. 

Bayern performed exceptionally after their somewhat below par showing against Arsenal in the previous round. Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben put on arguably their best European performance of the season and were a constant thorn in Juve's flesh. They will be confident of progress as they head to Turin with a 2 goal advantage and crucially with no away goals conceded. For Juve, it was a disappointing day at the office with their play well below their usual standards, and in the return leg they will have to do without the services of Arturo Vidal and Stephan Lichtsteiner who both picked up Yellow cards.

Bayern brush aside Arsenal in resounding victory

Bayern Munich produced a solid display as they brushed Arsenal aside to come away with a 3-1 away win at the Emirates in the 1^st leg of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 clash. Against an Arsenal team that looked low on confidence and a bit disjointed, Bayern took full advantage to thrust open the gates and take a stranglehold on their Round of 16 tie.

Arsene Wenger chose to start Theo Walcott in a central role up front with a midfield 5 led by Jack Wilshere. Due to Nacho Monreal being cup tied and Kieran Gibbs injured, captain Thomas Vermaelen started at left-back which left Per Mertesacker to partner Laurent Koscielny in central defence. There were no surprises in the Bayern line-up as Jupp Heynckes opted for his tried and tested unit this season.

The game started off at a super tempo with both teams playing some end-to-end football. Though Arsenal had good possession they failed to create any real openings from it. Bayern on the other hand looked more incisive and took the lead in the 7^th minute, when Toni Kroos thundered in a right footed effort from outside the box which had the beating of Wojciech Szceszny. On 21 minutes, the deficit was doubled as Thomas Mueller took full advantage of some hapless defending from Arsenal. The Bavarians took control of the midfield and effectively snuffed out all of Arsenal’s chances as their key men in Walcott, Wilshere and Cazorla were completely isolated.

The Gunners began the second half much better with Wilshere coming into his own. Driving them on from midfield, he began to win more of his battles with Bayern’s enforcers Bastian Schweinsteiger and Javi Martinez. The spell of sustained pressure yielded a goal as former Bayern man Lukas Podolski found himself free in the penalty box to head home on 55 minutes when Manuel Neuer came off his line to collect the corner and missed it. With no further breakthrough coming, Wenger brought on striker Olivier Giroud and he had an immediate impact as he almost drew Arsenal level; his effort saved by Neuer.

But, Arsenal were shaky at the back all night and every time Bayern ventured forward, they looked capable of opening Arsenal up. On 77 minutes, Arjen Robben, on as a sub for Franck Ribery, latched onto a through ball on the right and passed up to an overlapping Philip Lahm whose low cross was deflected in by Mario Mandzukic.

This latest loss heaps more pressure on manager Arsene Wenger as Bayern literally have 1 foot (if not both feet) In the Quarterfinals and Arsenal look down the road at another season without a trophy.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH

Toni Kroos - was superb on the night with his passing and vision. Initiated most of Bayern's attacks and ventured forward to assist in attack grabbing the opener in the process. Struggled a bit when Wilshere upped his game, but by then he'd done his bit to secure Bayern a resounding win.