“I did the same in the World Cup final” - When Manuel Neuer made emphatic claim about showing Lionel Messi who is the ‘boss’ on the pitch

Bayern Munich legend Manuel Neuer once made emphatic claims ahead of facing Lionel Messi's Barcelona in May 2015. In an interview with L'Equipe (via Goal), Neuer opened up on Bayern Munich's UEFA Champions League semifinal against Barcelona.

The German shot-stopper mentioned that he had a lot of respect for Messi, but would go to any lengths to silence the then-Barcelona forward in the clash. Neuer's comments were made ahead of the first leg of the semifinal at Camp Nou. This was also their first meeting since the 2014 World Cup final.

Neuer referred to the fact that he had kept Messi quiet in that famed final, which Germany went on to win 1-0, at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro.

"I have a lot of respect for Lionel Messi and for everything that he has achieved. He is very humble. But it's crucial to show authority when we meet on the pitch and show him who's boss. I did the same in the World Cup final and this worked out pretty well. We will be looking to do the same on Wednesday night. It is vital to obtain a position of dominance and instil respect. We have to make good use of our physical presence, our character and show a certain ruthlessness," Neuer had said.

Lionel Messi's Barcelona eventually went on to lift the Champions League title

Manuel Neuer had also mentioned that the game against Barcelona would be 'a final before the final.' Quite naturally, Bayern's goal was to make it to the final, to be held at the Olympiastadion in Berlin.

"The game against Barcelona is a final before the final. Our goal is to make it to the showpiece in Berlin. We dominated Barcelona in both legs in the semi-finals two years ago, but the situation has changed. This time, they have no injuries and (Lionel) Messi is back to his best, while we are misisng several key players. We know that we face a tough task, but I am confident we will get our chances," Neuer had said.

In the event, however, Barcelona went on to win 3-0 in the first leg at Camp Nou. Although they lost 2-3 in the second, Lionel Messi's team qualified for the final with a 5-3 aggregate over Manuel Neuer's Bayern Munich.

Messi, who is now plying his trade for Inter Miami in the MLS, scored twice in the first leg of the semifinal and was instrumental in leading his team to the final. In the summit clash, Barcelona beat Juventus 3-1 to lift the 2014-15 Champions League title.