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Thiago backed for Liverpool success by Souness - however there is 'question mark' about Diogo Jota

The former Mohun Bagan winger is all set to reunite with Suhair VP and Gurjinder Kumar and NorthEast United FC…

Britto PM is all set to join Indian Super League (ISL) side NorthEast United for the upcoming season, Goal can confirm.

The winger, who plied his trade with Mohun Bagan last season, had appeared in 11 I-League matches and was an integral part of the title-winning Green and Maroon side.

Britto made his professional debut with Kozhikode-based club Quartz FC before moving to Eagles FC. He came into prominence very late in his career during the 2017-18 I-League season at Churchill Brothers when he played at the top tier of Indian football for the first time.

His impressive show for the Red Machines prompted Mohun Bagan to sign him in 2018-19 season. In his maiden year at Kolkata, the Malayali winger won the Calcutta Football League (CFL) title.

Britto is employed with the Indian Navy and has played for the their football team. During Durand Cup 2019, Britto had to leave Mohun Bagan for a brief period to ply his trade with his employers. After the Durand Cup, he rejoined the club.

The 27-year-old will now reunite with his former Mohun Bagan teammates Gurjinder Kumar and Suhair VP at NorthEast United.

The Highlanders have so far signed Ponif Vaz from Churchill Brothers, Gurjinder Kumar and VP Suhair from Mohun Bagan and Aizawl FC duo Lalkhawpuimawia and Rochharzela.

The Guwahati-based club who had finished on the ninth position in the ISL table last year will hope to turn things around this time.

Original author: Ritabrata Banerjee

ISL: East Bengal show the way by hiring a setpiece coach in Terence McPhillips

The Blaugrana was annihilated by the Germans in the last eight of Europe's premier competition - but where does it rank amongst their biggest defeats?

Barcelona's 8-2 thrashing at the hands of Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-final was not the worst defeat in the club's history.

Friday evening's match at Estadio da Luz was the first time in 74 years that the Blaugrana had conceded eight goals in a game - when they were beaten 8-0 by Sevilla in the Copa del Rey in 1946.

But the Bayern masterclass was short of the biggest loss ever suffered by Barcelona, with the Catalans twice losing 11-1 in the 1940's.

The most humiliating of these defeats came against El Clasico rivals Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey in 1943.

After winning the first leg of the semi-final 3-0, Barcelona completely fell apart in the second leg to lose 11-1.

Three years earlier, the Blaugrana were beaten by the same scoreline in a La Liga match against Sevilla.

Incredibly, Barcelona took an eighth minute lead in the match before all 11 of Sevilla's goals came within an hour period - from the 23rd to 83rd minutes.

And at the end of the season, Barcelona finished in fourth in the La Liga standings - one position ahead of fifth-placed Sevilla.

In 1935, Barcelona were also beaten 8-2 by Real Madrid with Fernando Sanudo scoring four goals - the most ever by a single player in a fixture between the two sides.

It didn't look like Friday's match against Bayern was going to be a bloodbath, when Bayern defender David Alaba put the ball through his own net in the seventh minute - cancelling out Thomas Muller's strike 180 seconds earlier.

But three more Bayern goals - courtesy of Ivan Perisic, Serge Gnabry and Muller - before half-time put the Bundesliga champions in a commanding position.

Luis Suarez gave Barcelona hope of an extraordinary comeback with his goal 13 minutes after the restart, but Joshua Kimmich found the net shortly to extinguish the La Liga team's chances.

Between the 82nd and 89th minutes, Bayern scored twice through Philippe Coutinho and once through Robert Lewandowski to put the exclamation on a horrible night in Barca's history.

This season has been the first that Barcelona has gone without a single trophy since the 2007-08 campaign.

Original author: Kieran Francis

Wave sign Barcenas, 15; youngest NWSL player

The Bavarians boss spoke to the media following the incredible destruction of the Blaugrana in the last eight

Bayern Munich head coach Hansi Flick refused to get carried away with his team's stunning 8-2 demolition of Barcelona in the Champions League quarter-finals, insisting there is still plenty of work to do.

Bayern humiliated Lionel Messi's Barca in Lisbon on Friday as the La Liga giants conceded eight goals in a game for the first time since 1946 .

Flick's Bayern – who led 4-1 at half-time – ran riot thanks to braces from Thomas Muller and Philippe Coutinho, while Robert Lewandowski, Ivan Perisic, Serge Gnabry and Joshua Kimmich were also on target.

Bayern became the first team in Champions League history to score eight goals in a knockout match, and the first in the European Cup since Real Madrid in 1990-91.

Flick, however, remained grounded post-match as Bundesliga champions Bayern await either Manchester City or Lyon in the final four.

"I think we can enjoy an excellent game from our team today," Flick told reporters. "Of course we are delighted with the way in which we have achieved this 8:2.

"But we all know - and you could feel it in the cabin - that we still have a lot to do. We know how fast that can happen in football. It is important to look ahead to the next game.

"Our goal was to get to the semi-finals. We did that impressively. We are all very happy about that. But we also know that it is still a tough job to be where we want to be in the end."

"The way it was is impressive," he added. "And we have set a small fragrance brand. But even our experienced players know that it's about performing the same in the next game. We are preparing for this.

"The team put a lot of pressure on in the first half, forcing their opponents to make mistakes, and then the game of switching over the ball was just great. These are the things we wanted to do. And the team did a great job on the pitch."

Bayern have now become the competition favourites - ahead of likely semi-final opponent Manchester City - with PSG and Leipzig squaring off in the other semi for a spot in the decider.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan joins Inter on free transfer following Roma exit

The Blaugrana midfielder discussed the embarrassing defeat in the competition's quarter finals

Frenkie de Jong said Barcelona's embarrassing 8-2 Champions League loss to Bayern Munich showed the beleaguered La Liga giants have a lot of problems.

Barca conceded eight goals in a game for the first time since 1946 as the Spanish powerhouse were mercilessly put to the sword by Bundesliga champions Bayern in Lisbon on Friday.

Bayern raced out to a 4-1 lead at half-time and they did not take their foot off the pedal following the interval – Barca eliminated in the Champions League quarter-finals for the fourth time in five seasons.

With Barca in crisis after the result and head coach Quique Setien reportedly set to be sacked, star midfielder De Jong addressed the result.

"I think today showed that we have a lot of problems in the team," De Jong, in his first season at Camp Nou following his high-profile arrival from Ajax, said. "I think tonight showed that and we know we have to make a lot of changes.

"It's difficult for the fans to take too so sorry to them. We have to change a lot of things I think.

"We believed we could beat Bayern. The first 15-20 minutes because they scored early but we scored the equaliser and had two good chances so believed in it of course. You could see that at the beginning.

"But they were much better than us. I don't think it's too much about talent, I think it's about putting in intensity and hard work and we need to change these things.

"Of course it's a big disappointment but not only for me, for the whole club because this club is used to winning trophies. It's the biggest club in the world so we have to perform a lot better than we did tonight."

Asked if anyone can stop Bayern – who will face either Manchester City or Lyon in the semis – Netherlands international De Jong replied: "I think City are also a really good team. Lyon are good.

"But...I don't care too much at this moment. I'm sorry but they were really good tonight and deserved to win of course."

'Has he got the time to sit there and wait?' - Ferdinand hints Messi could consider Barcelona exit

The Argentine will see his contract expire next year and may be forced to ponder a move away

Rio Ferdinand has said Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi may consider leaving the club following their 8-2 humiliation at the hands of Bayern Munich on Friday. 

The Blaugrana conceded four goals in either half as they were put to the sword by the rampant Bundesliga champions in the Champions League quarter-final. 

The result will likely see several changes made at Barcelona, with president Josep Maria Bartomeu hinting as much after the match.

Head coach Quique Setien and director of football Eric Abidal are among those rumoured to be departing, while Bartomeu himself may not be safe with presidential elections set to take place next year.

No departure would hurt Barca nearly as much as Messi, though, with the club still reliant on the 33-year-old superstar. 

Messi's contract expires next year and he has yet to sign a renewal, leaving many to ponder the previously unthinkable scenario of the Argentine playing for another club. 

Ferdinand is among that group, with the former Man Utd defender wondering if Messi has the patience to stay at Camp Nou through a rebuild. 

"The question is what is Messi thinking? What is he thinking going home tonight?" Ferdinand said on BT Sport.

"The level of performances that club has given and how the squad is looking at the moment in comparison to other teams around Europe. That's the big question he will be thinking about.

"Has he got the time to sit there and wait? Football comes and goes very quickly in your life so these next two years, where he is going to have power to influence games the way he does.

"Is he going to want to do that not competing for the big titles? I don't know."

Another former Man Utd star, Owen Hargreaves, added that Barca do not have the talent around Messi that they did during the club's heyday under Pep Guardiola.

"[Luis] Suarez and Messi are looking round thinking 'I miss Iniesta, Xavi, I miss [Carles] Puyol' because those guys aren't there any more," Hargreaves said.

"Ansu Fati came on and he looked great, but he's a 17-year-old kid.

"The gap between Messi and who's going to be next, you can't [see them being successful]."

Original author: Goal

'It was fun beating Messi' - Bayern star Goretzka has no sympathy for Barcelona and their superstar

The Bavarian midfielder sunk the boot into the Argentine legend as the Germans progress into the competition's semi finals

Bayern star Leon Goretzka says it was fun to take down Lionel Messi and co. during the extraordinary 8-2 humiliation of Barcelona in the Champions League quarter-finals.

The Bundesliga giants humiliated the Spanish giants and their Argentine star at the Estadio da Luz on Friday evening, with former Barca playmaker Philippe Coutinho grabbing a double, as did Thomas Muller.

There were also single goals to Ivan Perisic, Serge Gnabry, Joshua Kimmich and Robert Lewandowski, with Bayern now meeting the winner of Manchester City and Lyon in the last four of the competition.

Post-match, Goretzka was asked if it hurt to embarrass a possible childhood idol such as Messi, to which he replied: "No, it didn’t hurt, it was fun actually."

With Bayern now favourites to win the competition, Goretzka was pleased by their performance but insisted the team has to stay focused to reach the ultimate goal.

"It’s difficult to put this into words so soon after the game. I think it will take a couple of days to process this result," Goretzka told Sky Sports.

"We have so much confidence, but as we just said in the changing room we've taken the first of three steps."

Muller, who scored the opening goal of the game in the fourth minute, struggled to explain why Bayern were so dominant in the match.

But he insisted the team were only thinking about their next match when the result against Barca means nothing.

"It's tough to explain. I think in this moment our team is in incredible shape," Muller said to BT Sport.

"Thanks for the man of match trophy - maybe we have 12 to 15 players who deserve it. We worked so hard and have this intensity. It's tough to beat us. It was so much fun today.

"For our style of players it doesn't matter about the names of players we are facing. When someone presses and dribbles, it's not a problem. Then we catch the ball and have so much talent in the offensive line.

"We feel good, but now we have to be quiet and regenerate.

"This is a big statement but the next game we start at 0-0. The statement doesn't matter. The other teams will watch our game and they can be impressed or not. We start at 0-0 and have to win the next game.

"Today we have to be very happy. After we wake up and answer the messages on the phone then we have to focus.

"I know about these tournament situations. Most of the time after the big wins (he played in the 7-1 win over Brazil at the 2014 World Cup) it's difficult."

Original author: Kieran Francis

Conte: Spurs squad may be technically weaker

The Benfica playmaker lauded the qualities of his compatriot after signing a five-year deal with Antonio Conte's team

Benfica midfielder Adel Taarabt thinks Inter Milan new signing Achraf Hakimi will need to work on the defensive part of his game in the Serie A.

Hakimi moved to Italy on a permanent deal from Real Madrid in July, following the conclusion of his two-year loan with Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga.

The 21-year-old proved his versatility in Germany during his temporary stint and doubled his defensive roles with attacking responsibilities.

During the 2019-20 campaign, Hakimi returned nine goals and 10 assists for Dortmund in all competitions.

Ahead of his new adventure in Italy, Taarabt praised Hakimi as the fastest player he’s ever seen.

“He is a great player, he is a young player. I have never seen a fast player like him,” Taarabt told Sky Sport Italia.

“In Italy he will have to learn to defend, not it's what he likes most, but on the offensive level he can bring a lot to Inter.”

Six years ago, Taarabt joined AC Milan on a six-month loan from QPR for the second half of the 2012-13 campaign.

The 31-year-old made his Uefa Champions League debut with the Rossoneri and also scored four goals in 14 Serie A games.

He expressed his and also regrets after missing out on a return to the San Siro as he spent the 2017-18 loan at Genoa.

“When I think of Italy, I think of Milan,” he said. “It’s a top club where I had the opportunity to play with great players like Kaka.

“It was a pleasure, I enjoyed myself and I think I did well. I was very sorry not to continue my adventure with the Rossoneri because my head was still there.

“If Seedorf had stayed, the story might have been different because they brought in Inzaghi, who had a different idea of football.

“In the following years, I didn’t have the opportunity to come back, even if I would have liked to.”

Original author: Taiye Taiwo

Virgil van Dijk admits Premier League return was 'mental hurdle'

Goal takes a look at the biggest transfer news and rumours from the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A and around the world

Andreas Pereira to snub Everton for Flamengo

There will likely be several people leaving Camp Nou as Barca reflect following an embarrassing Champions League exit

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has indicated that there will be changes at the club after Friday night's humiliating 8-2 defeat at the hands of Bayern Munich

Bayern entered the Champions League quarter-final in Lisbon as the favourites, but few could have predicted the thrashing they would dish out to the Catalans.

Thomas Muller and Philippe Coutinho each scored a brace on the night, with further goals coming from Ivan Perisic, Joshua Kimmich, Robert Lewandowski and Serge Gnabry. 

The result meant Barcelona ended the 2019-20 season without winning any trophies, which will not go down well with the club's fans or leadership. 

Bartomeu hinted at changes after watching his team be thrashed, saying that some decisions had even been made before the game.  

“It has been a very, very tough night. I am sorry for the Barca fans and members, for the players … For everyone,"  Bartomeu told Movistar+. "We were not the club that we represent, I am so sorry.”

“There are some decisions that we had already made, and others that we will make over the next few days. Announcements will be made from next week, we need to make decisions after things have calmed down.

"Today is a day for reflection. Tomorrow we will try to raise our fans’ spirits following such a heavy defeat.

“It was a devastating result. I congratulate Bayern, they played a great game and deserved to go to the semi-finals. We were not up to the occasion, and we can only apologise to the members and fans.”

One of those most likely to see their time at Barcelona end is head coach Quique Setien, who took over from Ernesto Valverde in January.

Setien is widely expected to be sacked imminently, and Bartomeu did little to shut down that speculation.  

"I prefer not to say anything about the coach," Bartomeu said. "Many decisions were already made before playing the Champions League, but today is not the day [to talk about them]."

Another name who could be on the way out is director of football Eric Abidal, who will reportedly be replaced two years after taking the role. 

Bartomeu himself could see his position called into question, as Barcelona prepare to hold presidential elections next year.

With Lionel Messi yet to sign a contract extension, he could force Bartomeu's hand as the Argentine continues to be dissatisfied with the state of affairs at the club.

Original author: Goal

LIVE: Spain vs Poland

The Germans have unfinished business in the competition, according to their midfield star

Joshua Kimmich has sent a warning to the remaining teams in the Champions League, insisting Bayern are 'not done yet' after their 'brutal' 8-2 thrashing of Barcelona in the competition's quarter-finals.

The midfielder was among the scorers as the Germans embarrassed their Spanish opposition at the Estadio da Luz on Friday night to move into a semi-final against either Manchester City or Lyon.

Former Blaugrana star Philippe Coutinho scored a double, as did Thomas Muller, with single strikes from Ivan Perisic, Serge Gnabry and Robert Lewandowski.

When asked about the nature of Bayern's performance, Kimmich said to Sky Sports: "Brutal. It’s hard to comprehend beating Barcelona 8-2.

"We were so focused from the first minute, we wanted to get forward with intent. An incredible result in the end, but we’re not done yet."

Muller, who opened the scoring in the fourth minute and hit the fourth goal well before half-time, struggled to elucidate why Bayern were so dominant in the match.

The German World Cup winner said it was important for the team to focus on their match because the performance against Barcelona won't count for anything when the ball is kicked off.

"It's tough to explain. I think in this moment our team is in incredible shape," Muller said to BT Sport.

"Thanks for the man of match trophy - maybe we have 12 to 15 players who deserve it. We worked so hard and have this intensity. It's tough to beat us. It was so much fun today.

"For our style of players it doesn't matter about the names of players we are facing. When someone presses and dribbles, it's not a problem. Then we catch the ball and have so much talent in the offensive line.

"We feel good, but now we have to be quiet and regenerate.

"This is a big statement but the next game we start at 0-0. The statement doesn't matter. The other teams will watch our game and they can be impressed or not. We start at 0-0 and have to win the next game.

"Today we have to be very happy. After we wake up and answer the messages on the phone then we have to focus.

"I know about these tournament situations. Most of the time after the big wins (he played in the 7-1 win over Brazil at the 2014 World Cup) it's difficult."

Manchester City and Lyon will play on Saturday evening to determine which team will face the Bavarians in the Champions League semi final.

The other semi will be contested between French giants PSG and German underdogs Leipzig.

Pau Torres explains why he rejected Tottenham transfer

The last time neither superstar reached the final four was in 2004-05, when Liverpool lifted the trophy in Istanbul

For the first time in 15 years, both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo will miss out on the Champions League semi-final. 

Messi's Barcelona side were eliminated on Friday in humiliating fashion,  falling to Bayern Munich 8-2 in the quarter-final in Lisbon. 

That result followed another disappointing Champions League exit for Ronaldo and Juventus, who were bounced by Lyon last week in the round of 16.

Those two results mean that for the first time since the 2004-05 Champions League – a competition that ended with Liverpool's memorable comeback win in the final over AC Milan – neither Messi nor Ronaldo have reached the final four. 

It also meant that for the first time since the 2006-07 Champions League, there will be no Spanish sides in the semi-finals. Ronaldo reached the last four that year as a member of Manchester United, who fell to eventual champions AC Milan in the semi-final. 

This year could be just a blip, or it could mark the beginning of the end of an era that has seen Messi and Ronaldo establish their dominance of European club football.

Messi has taken home six Ballons d'Or while Ronaldo has five, with Luka Modric in 2018 the only player to have won the award other than Messi or Ronaldo since 2008.

The Argentina superstar has also won the Champions League on four occasions, though he has not won the competition since the 2014-15 edition. 

Messi has been bested in that particular category by Ronaldo, who has won the Champions League five times: once with Manchester United and four times with Real Madrid

The pair's dominance has led to plenty of debate over who is superior, with Messi's former Barcelona team-mate Arda Turan recently underlining why he prefers the Argentina man over the Portuguese.

"Messi is present in every moment of football. He can dictate the game in every aspect," Turan told  beIN Sports Turkey.

"There's nothing bad to say about Ronaldo but he's a goalscorer, albeit a very special one. Messi does everything in this game. He does things you can't even imagine to do. His intelligence, his vision, his passing are all much different. And every person I have talked to about this agrees with me.

"Except the people who are close to Ronaldo, his team-mates, who say it's Ronaldo as they answer politically. Ronaldo is my friend and it's not my place to question his quality. But I think Messi is better."

Original author: Goal

Chelsea predicted lineup vs AC Milan - Champions League

The ex-Betis boss believes it is too soon to discuss his role at Camp Nou but agrees with Pique that big changes might be needed
Original author: Goal

'8-2 say this' - Africa reacts to Bayern Munich's humiliation of Barcelona

The Spanish giants were destroyed in the quarter-final stage of the elite European competition at Estadio da Luiz on Friday

Bayern Munich's 8-2 victory over Barcelona in the Uefa Champions League quarter-final has got football enthusiasts across Africa talking on social media.

Four goals in each of the Friday's encounter saw Barcelona bow to their heaviest defeat in the European competition.

David Alaba's own goal and Luis Saurez's 57th-minute strike was not enough for Quique Setien's men as Thomas Muller and second-half substitute Philippe Coutinho both found the target twice while Ivan Perisic, Serge Gnabry, Joshua Kimmich, Rober Lewandowski scored a goal each for the Bundesliga champions.

The triumph propelled Bayern Munich to the semi-final stage and would face the winner between Manchester City and Lyon, however, the margin of goals conceded by Barcelona - five-time Champions League winners - left fans embarrassed.

 

Original author: Taiye Taiwo

Brilliant Bayern Munich set multiple records with Barcelona hammering

Robert Lewandowski and Hansi Flick were among those who found themselves in the record book after humiliating the Catalans

Bayern Munich became the first team to score eight goals in a Champions League knockout match with their 8-2 demolition of Barcelona on Friday. 

That wasn't the only record the Bavarians set on an incredible night in Lisbon, with Hansi Flick's men cruising past the Catalans and into the Champions League semi-final. 

Of course, Bayern weren't the only side who set records on the night, with the historic result also condemning Barca to some humiliating marks, including one that saw them reach a 74-year low.

After winning the Bundesliga and DFB Pokal this season, Bayern will take some stopping if they are to be denied a treble. 

Thomas Muller and Philippe Coutinho each scored a brace on the night, with further goals coming from Ivan Perisic, Joshua Kimmich, Robert Lewandowski and Serge Gnabry. 

Lewandowski, the Champions League's top scorer this season, became the first player to score in eight or more consecutive Champions League matches since Cristiano Ronaldo in April 2018 (11 games) when he netted in the second half. 

It was the 50th Champions League goal for Bayern Munich in Lewandowski's 60th appearance for them in the competition. Only Ronaldo has reached that mark in fewer games for a single side (50 appearances for Real Madrid).

For Flick, the result continued a memorable debut season in charge after the 55-year-old took over from the sacked Niko Kovac in November 2019. 

He has become only the third manager in Champions League history to win his first six matches in charge, after Fabio Capello in 1992-93 and Luis Fernandez in 1994-95.

And the Bayern boss has a record all to himself as well, with no manager having seen his side score as many goals as their 26 in his first six Champions League games in charge.

The Bavarians are on an incredible run of form under Flick, having won their last 19 matches in all competitions, a record run in German top-flight football in all competitions.

Bayern will now move on to the semi-final, where they will face either Manchester City or Lyon. It will be the team's 12th Champions League semi-final – only Real Madrid with 13 have reached that stage more times.

Original author: Goal

Race for Premier League promotion hots up, Juve, Inter in action

The defender believes nobody in the Blaugrana squad should be spared from scrutiny as he reeled from Friday's record reverse

Gerard Pique admitted that Barcelona require wholesale changes to avoid future humiliations like that suffered at the hands of Bayern Munich - even if it means his own days at the club are numbered. 

The highly anticipated Champions League quarter final between two of Europe's biggest clubs turned into a procession for Bayern, who waltzed to an 8-2 thrashing over the hapless Blaugrana. 

Thomas Muller and Philippe Coutinho both netted twice, the latter scoring two late goals against his parent club, while Ivan Perisic, Serge Gnabry, Joshua Kimmich and Robert Lewandowski also made the scoresheet for the Bundesliga champions. 

Only Luis Suarez in turn managed to break through the Bayern defence, with Barca's other goal coming courtesy of a freak mistake by David Alaba in turning Jordi Alba's cross past his own goalkeeper. 

Pique did not mince his words after the final whistle as he called on Barcelona to make tough decisions following their embarrassing defeat.

“Shame is the word. You can't play like that, you can't play in Europe like that," the defender fired to Movistar after the game in Lisbon's Estadio da Luz.

"It is neither the first, nor the second, nor the third time. It's very hard, we all have to reflect.

"The club needs changes and I'm not talking about the coach, about the players. I don't want to point at anyone. Structurally we needs changes of all kinds, because it is neither the first, nor the second nor the third time.

"The first one to volunteer will be me, if new blood has to come in and change this dynamic I will be the first to go, to step aside.

"Now we have hit rock-bottom. I think we all have to look and reflect internally and decide what is best for Barca, which is the most important thing."

Friday's defeat draws the curtain on a forgettable season at Camp Nou, the first in which Barca have failed to win at least one piece of silverware since the final campaign prior to Pep Guardiola's arrival in 2008. 

The Catalans finished distant runners-up to Real Madrid in La Liga and also failed to retain the Supercopa, which was won in its new format by the Merengue after Barca went out to Atletico Madrid in the semi-final stage.

Original author: Goal

Inter Miami predicted lineup vs Charlotte FC - Leagues Cup

The attacking midfielder has fallen down the pecking order at Old Trafford and is considering an exit in the summer transfer window
Original author: Charlotte Duncker

Barcelona 2-8 Bayern Munich: Bundesliga champions obliterate dismal Blaugrana to book semi-final spot

Barcelona were humiliated by Bayern Munich as Hansi Flick's side ran riot at Estadio da Luz to reach the Champions League semi-finals.

Bayern Munich made a grand statement in the Champions League as they hammered Barcelona 8-2 to book their semi-final place in remarkable fashion.

Lionel Messi and his team-mates were swept aside by the dominant Bundesliga champions in a chaotic first half, with Philippe Coutinho then coming on to deal further blows to his parent club in the closing stages.

Thomas Muller's sublime strike got things started and, although David Alaba's own goal drew Barca level, Ivan Perisic and Serge Gnabry had Bayern 3-1 up by the 27th minute.

Muller's second piled further misery on Barca – who conceded four goals in the first half of a Champions League match for the first time – and while Luis Suarez responded after the break, Bayern had more to give.

Joshua Kimmich restored a three-goal cushion with a goal set up by the brilliance of Alphonso Davies, before Coutinho set up Robert Lewandowski and helped himself to a double within the space of seven minutes to compound the misery of the club that owns him.

LIVE: Can Man City find their true form?

Not since the 1940s had the beleaguered Catalans conceded eight goals in a single match, but they had no answer to Muller and Co.

Luis Suarez finally ended his seemingly endless scoring drought in the Champions League, but it proved barely a consolation as Barcelona were utterly dismantled in Friday's record-breaking 8-2 defeat for the Catalans. 

The Uruguayan led the line for his team alongside Lionel Messi at Lisbon's Estadio da Luz as they took on Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-finals. 

Unfortunately for the Blaugrana, the highly anticipated tie quickly turned into a nightmare thanks to their own weaknesses in defence and Bayern's brilliant forward play. 

Thomas Muller fired the Bundesliga champions ahead after just three minutes and, while David Alaba's own goal briefly levelled matters, Ivan Perisic and Serge Gnabry were on hand to restore Bayern's supremacy before Muller hit again before the break. 

Trailing 4-1 at half-time after a disastrous opening 45 minutes, Barca needed an early goal to keep their hopes alive. 

And Suarez duly obliged with a fine finish before the hour to banish his Champions League woes. 

Not since September 2015 against Roma had the forward managed to net in an away match in the competition, a startling record for a player of his calibre and marksmanship. 

It took 1,952 minutes of action and no less than 69 shots to end that drought - an act that was soon made to look futile by the rampant Germans. 

No sooner had Suarez given his side a shred of hope than Bayern replied with their fifth goal of the evening, this time converted by Joshua Kimmich. 

Forty-four years had passed since the last time Barcelona had conceded five in a single European clash, when they went down 5-4 to Levski Sofia in March 1976 in the UEFA Cup.

But if Barca thought at that point the worst had passed, they were sorely mistaken. 

Lewandowski hit a sixth for unstoppable Bayern before Philippe Coutinho added insult to injury with a late double against his parent club, sealing a final, humiliating scoreline of 8-2. 

Yet another historic worst was thus recorded, with Barca conceding eight goals in a single match for the first time since 1946, when Sevilla inflicted an 8-0 thrashing on the Catalans in the Copa del Rey.

Bayern now advance to the semi finals of this rescheduled Champions League competition, which is being decided by a single match from the last eight onwards due to the postponement of the planned calendar during the coronavirus lockdown. 

The semi will take place on August 19 against the winner of Manchester City's encounter with Lyon on Saturday.

Original author: Goal

Ryan Giggs Denies Allegations of Assaulting Girlfriend Following Arrest

The Catalans were put to the sword by the rampant Bundesliga champions, exiting Europe in embarrassing fashion

Barcelona's attempt to bring the Champions League back to Camp Nou after a five-year absence ended in humiliation on Friday, as Bayern Munich trounced them 8-2 in the quarter-final. 

The match in Lisbon started poorly for the Catalans as Thomas Muller gave Bayern the lead inside four minutes. Though a David Alaba own goal gave them hope, Barcelona were ultimately undone by the ruthless German champions. 

Ivan Perisic, Serge Gnabry, Joshua Kimmich, Robert Lewandowski, a brace from Philippe Coutinho and another goal from Muller would add further misery for Barca, who got a second-half goal from Luis Suarez that was a mere consolation. 

The Bavarians will move on to face either Manchester City or Lyon in the semi-final while the Catalans will head back to Spain to lick their wounds and contemplate a season with no trophies.

There was plenty of reaction as Lionel Messi and Co. were humiliated in the Champions League last eight. 

 
Original author: Goal

Rohr: Super Eagles must step up against Tunisia

The former Bafana Bafana international was impressed by Amakhosi's performance in their midweek draw with the Clever Boys

Kaizer Chiefs legend Josta Dladla says his former side should be wary of Polokwane City, who will be looking to 'spoil' Amakhosi's party.

The Soweto giants have a chance to extend their lead to six points at the top of the PSL standings when they take on Rise and Shine at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Saturday.

Chiefs are currently three points above second-placed Mamelodi Sundowns, who dropped points on Friday by drawing 1-1 with Highlands Park.

Dladla turned out for both Chiefs and Sundowns during his playing days, but he is backing Amakhosi to clinch the coveted PSL title. 

“When at the top, everybody wants to spoil the party. It will be a crucial match for Kaizer Chiefs," Dladla told the club's official website.

The retired midfielder was impressed with how Amakhosi performed in their first game after a five-month break, due to the Covid-19 epidemic, against Bidvest Wits on Wednesday night as the two teams drew 1-1.

“We played well and the boys looked sharp. We looked set to win the match until the 89th minute – one mistake and we got punished. That’s football for you," he said.

“Willard Katsande, as usual, did well too. I was impressed with the youngster, Nkosingiphile Ngcobo, who looks to have a bright future ahead of him.

"Credit also to coach Ernst Middendorp for having the courage to field him in such an important match, as not too many PSL coaches would do that.”

Chiefs will be seeking revenge against Polokwane, who secured a 1-0  victory over the Soweto giants in the first-round clash at FNB Stadium in September last year.

“Polokwane City likes to play against us. They are one of those high-risk football teams in the way they play," Dladla continued. 

"You can’t give them space. They are also fighting relegation, which will make them like wounded lions."

Dladla, who won two PSL titles with Chiefs, urged Amakhosi to take it one game at a time as they look to end their five-year trophy drought. 

“However, we should just stay calm. The coach should tell the players, ‘we want to keep smelling the blood [league title] and show how hungry we are,'" he added.

"There are still seven matches to go, including the one on Saturday. We have to take it one game at a time.”

Original author: Austin Ditlhobolo

FutPost.com