A four goal humiliation for Barcelona at the hands of Bayern Munich had the air of a changing of the guard, as German football - long heralded as once dominant force destined to return to its position of power - administered a crushing humiliation to a side who have, for so long, embodied all that was exceptional about the dominance of the Spanish game. With the Catalans looking more impotent than any time since the arrival of Pep Guardiola in 2008, the Bavarians had the air of an unstoppable force, unwilling to stand on ceremony for their venerated visitors.
Former Ireland international David Connolly spoke with Newstalk Breakfast’s Oisin Langan this morning and analysed how Bayern had come away with a result that has shaken European football. Connolly felt the Barcelona team sheet would have given Bayern an instant boost, as the inclusion of an unfit Lionel Messi was a striking sign of desperation, and a major tactical mistake from Tito Vilanova.
“Barcelona are desperate here. Last night he definitely wasn’t fit.
“Vilanova approached it as if it was a one leg match. It was like playing with ten men.”
“He could have played Fabregas, he could have played Villa – he didn’t have to play Messi,” said Connolly.
Aside from the decision to play Messi, Connolly feels a tired looking Barcelona were exposed on the wings as their tactics were found out early on by the rampaging Bayern wingers Robben and Ribery.
“You looked at Robben and Ribery last night; their work rate was phenomenal.
“The space was huge down the flanks and Bayern knew that and exploited that.”
Beyond the action last night Connolly looked ahead to tonight’s tie, the mouth-watering prospect of Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid against Jurgen Klopp’s Borussia Dortmund. One thing Connolly felt confident predicting was that Madrid would not go to the Westfalenstadion with the same approach as Barcelona brought to the Allianz Arena last night.
“I’m sure they won’t be as naive as Barca, they will realise they have two legs to win this match, not one.”
Listen to David Connolly’s full analysis of last night’s game and preview of tonight’s semi-final first leg between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid via the player below
