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#3 Bayern Munich’s veterans shine as Barca’s fade
At an average age of 29 years and 329 days, Barcelona fielded their oldest starting eleven for a Champions League match. While the likes of Gerard Pique, Sergio Busquets, and Arturo Vidal brought a wealth of experience into the side, the lack of pace through the spine of the Barca side was clearly visible.
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This was exploited to the fullest extent by a pacy and hungry Bayern Munich side that pressed high up the pitch. The Bavarians did not allow Barcelona’s players any time on the ball whatsoever.
In the Bayern Munich camp, however, experienced Champions League campaigners were finding a new lease of life. While 31-year-old Robert Lewandowski has grabbed the headlines for his goal-scoring exploits this season, 30-year-old Thomas Muller has been revitalised under Hansi Flick.
Having already broken the record for most assists in a Bundesliga campaign this season, Muller broke the record for most Champions League appearances by a German player in this match and marked the occasion with a brace.
Combined with the skill and pace of Bayern Munich’s younger players, the German side seem to have found the ideal mix of youth and exuberance to hold them in good stead for some time to come. On the other hand, their Spanish opposition on the night seem to have gone the other way.
#4 Griezmann’s disappointing Barca career hits new low
A one-legged Champions League quarter-final against your toughest opponents in the competition yet seems to be the perfect occasion to start your high-profile, World Cup-winning striker.
However, for Barcelona and Antoine Griezmann, it just doesn’t seem to have clicked at all. The former Atletico Madrid man had to make do with a place on the bench for this crunch encounter against Bayern Munich.
Even after his introduction at half-time, Griezmann failed to make a claim for more starting roles in the future. The Frenchman was largely anonymous on the field and failed to make any contributions of note.
#5 Messi can’t do it all on his own anymore
Although Bayern Munich were considered to be the favourites ahead of this quarter-final tie, Barcelona did have an ace up their sleeve in the form of their Argentine playmaker.
The image of Messi making Bayern Munich defender Jerome Boateng fall flat en-route scoring past Manuel Neuer was dug up once again as a reminder of exactly what the Barcelona skipper was capable of.
However, a lot of time has passed since then. And now we are at the stage when Messi can’t drag an underperforming Barca side past quality opposition without the help of his teammates anymore.
He remained on the periphery of the game for the majority of the 90 minutes. The Argentine was restricted to shots from outside the box in frustration as he watched his side concede goal after goal without mounting any sort of a comeback.
