Kolkata: The final time this occurred, Andres Iniesta began for Barcelona and Xavi was a substitute. Pep Guardiola and Manchester Metropolis had not linked arms, Kobe Bryant was in NBA, Roger Federer was three Grand Slam titles wanting the 20 he completed with and Neeraj Chopra wasn’t even a world under-20 medallist. Bear in mind the place you had been on Might 6, 2015? All these for whom blue and garnet are extra than simply colors are more likely to.
When Barcelona beat Bayern Munich 3-0 that evening in a Champions League semi-final by way of objectives from Lionel Messi and Neymar Jr, the darkish age, the fiscal issues, Messi leaving in tears appeared as possible as Covid-19. No surprise, Montjuïc, Barcelona’s short-term residence that appears like a sawn-off model of Camp Nou, shook after Bayern had been clinically dismantled 4-1; Raphinha getting a hattrick.
Bayern had not misplaced to Barcelona in six matches since. Overlook dropping, Barcelona hadn’t even scored in opposition to them because the 2-8 demolition in Lisbon. To Bayern’s six European titles, Barcelona boasted 5 however this was not a conflict amongst equals.
Which is what made Wednesday particular. Raphinha breezing previous Joshua Kimmich and rounding off Manuel Neuer could have surprised Bayern however not shocked them. They regrouped, Harry Kane scored twice however as a result of the opposite was marginally off-side, just one counted. It was 1-1 after 18 minutes. Who would have thought Bayern can be picked aside with surgeon’s precision earlier than the half was accomplished?
This being a contest between apostles of the excessive line meant groups staying with 20m of one another. A ledge of frenetic exercise with inviting acreage on both aspect. Beneath Hansi Flick, Barcelona are ready to do, nicely, un-Barcelona issues. Resembling go direct at pace and sacrifice possession; by the 73rd minute that they had performed practically 200 passes lower than Bayern. However they had been additionally 4-1 forward.
Concerned within the first two objectives had been the Fermin Lopez-Robert Lewandowski agency. Lewandoski’s hold-up play was carried ahead by Lopez discovering Raphinha. And it was Lopez’s chip, after an arm on Kim Min-jae’s again had helped him latch on to Lamine Yamal’s lob, from which Lewandowski scored the second. Within the defeat in opposition to Aston Villa, Bayern had paid for leaving centre-backs remoted. They had been responsible of that once more.
Raphinha took the sport away simply earlier than half-time. Marc Casado’s go that discovered him would have accomplished Xavi and Iniesta proud however Raphinha confirmed the shape he’s in by forcing Raphaël Guerreiro to backtrack and fireplace the shot at the same time as Dayot Upamecano arrived a micro-second late. Like his Brazil teammate Vinicius Jr, Raphinha accomplished a hattrick however he didn’t want until second-half stoppage time. He wasn’t even on the pitch then presumably with a watch on Saturday’s Clasico at Actual Madrid.
Raphinha confirmed composure, class and confidence to defy Bayern’s centre-backs Kim and Upamecano and place the ball nicely previous Neuer for his third purpose. The ending was worthy of a participant with 4 objectives and one help in three Champions League video games and 5 objectives and 7 assists in 10 La Liga rounds. Equally essential was Raphinha successful the ball deep in his half to begin the transfer.
“I’ve by no means had a participant like Raphinha, as a result of he’s extremely dynamic each with and with out the ball,” mentioned Flick. “Each single group wants him, however now we have him.”
“He all the time offers 100% in good and unhealthy instances. He’s working simply as laborious and giving all the pieces for all his teammates. I’m so joyful for him tonight,” mentioned defender Jules Koundé of Raphinha.
This was billed as a contest between Kane and Lewandowski who between them have 29 objectives in 24 matches. Each scored and Kane confirmed glimpses of his passing vary. There was Yamal, trickery and approach in a mix so nice for somebody so younger, a reverse go from Thomas Mueller, a back-heel from Kim and Pedri doing Pedri issues, all of them stunning. However this was Raphinha’s evening.
One which units up the season’s first Clasico with Barcelona main the standings on 27 factors and Actual second on 24. Flick is correct in saying it’s too early to say whether or not they’re contenders however the final time they beat Bayern, Barcelona did win the Champions League. Sure, the off-side entice, so integral to their defensive work, could not all the time work however Barcelona look prepared for Actual and extra.
