1. Bayern’s intense start pays dividends
FROM THE KICK-OFF, Bayern pushed high into the Porto half and effectively penned the Portuguese side inside the 18-yard line. They strangled them, desperately seeking a first goal that would unsettle their guests and give them an impetus. Once Thiago found the net on 14 minutes, you feared the worst but no one could’ve predicted the ferocity of Bayern’s approach from there on.
They were certainly helped by a poor goalkeeping performance from Fabiano. He was initially embarrassed when allowing Jerome Boateng’s tame header squirm inside the far post but he failed to deal with a long-range effort from Thomas Mueller on 36 minutes that made it 3-0. By that stage, Porto were stunned and had little in the way of a response.
Still, we’re used to seeing a calm, composed and methodical approach from Bayern with Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery providing the flashes of high energy. Last night, the hosts still excelled in wide areas with Lahm and Bernat providing the width and proving critically important in pinning Porto back. But this was a hungry home team that had little interest in patient build-ups and meticulous approach play. It was direct and high-octane and so effective.
- Eoin O’Callaghan
2. David Luiz epitomises PSG’s woe
It was Roy Keane who perhaps delivered the most withering put-down of all when it came to David Luiz’s hopelessly inept performance against Barca last night.
Rather than simply slating the defender, he said he “felt sorry” for the Brazilian international and added that “doesn’t look like he knows what he’s doing”.
Luiz’s supporters claim critics go overboard in pouring scorn on the defender and there is no doubt that the centre-back is an easy target with his unconventional looks and penchant for the type of flair not usually associated with defenders.
Nevertheless, much too often, he comes up short in big games. In both legs against the Catalan side, he has made some basic errors that would be derided at League One level, let alone a Champions League semi-final. Moreover, Germany versus Brazil in the World Cup, the infamous 7-1 game, was another instance in which he patently underperformed (albeit, he was far from the only player out of his depth that day).
While PSG have delivered some great performances over the course of this season, most notably the last-16 second leg against Chelsea, their recent meetings with Barca illustrate that they are not quite ready to compete at the very highest level currently.
Instead, too many of their players, while looking very good in the French league and up to a certain point, do not have the necessary quality to succeed at the absolute pinnacle of the game — the Champions League.
Luiz, who cost an incredible £50million from Chelsea, in particular is a prime example of a player who struggles when the going gets tough.
- Paul Fennessy
3. The still kind-of underrated Thomas Mueller was a joy to watch (again)
He doesn’t carry the same kind of profile as other German players but Mueller continues to intrigue. I watched him closely at the 2012 Champions League final against Chelsea and I noticed he was constantly moving — it didn’t matter where but he wanted to give his marker something to think about constantly. That night, Gary Cahill was shadowing him and found it tough to get close enough.
But as much as being a defender’s nightmare, he also is a relentless goalscorer and still so young. Last night, he got lucky with his goal. It took a deflection and Fabiano really should’ve dealt with it but his all-round contribution was terrific and his touch to tee up Lewandowski for his second was delightful.
Though it was scrappy, his goal was his 27th in the Champions League — the highest ever tally by a German in the competition. Muller is still just 25.
Having come through the academy, the club means so much to him and you could see how much the result meant to him in the immediate aftermath of the full-time whistle. Relatively, it’s only a minor detail but he’s passionate about the club and plays like it.
- Eoin O’Callaghan
First published at 23.30 on 21 April
