Ekun Samuel, 13 May 2015, 5:56AM.
The trident of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez made the margin insurmountably for Bayern in the first half early minutes of the game. It all looked as though Bayern was about to do what they did to FC Porto and Shakhtar Donetsk as Mehdi Benatia gave Bayern the lead with an early header with just seven minute of match played. It took a counter attack that began with Lionel Messi from midfield to Suarez as he raced down to the right side to the penalty and passes the ball to Neymar who converted it neatly to level up the game 15 mins of play. Another counter play and Suarez was on the run again who found Neymar and chipped the pass to him and was a close ball to the wood work that beats Manuel Neuer in the 29th minute and it was goal number two for Neymar. The goal from Neymar made it his 52nd goal for Barcelona.
At this point it looked as though Bayern was already waxing cold as Pep Guardiola reaction on the bench was looking demoralised and disappointed. Second half goals from Lewandoski in the 59th minute and Thomas Muller in the 74th minute was not enough for Bayern to go through as the game ended 5-3 aggregate in favour of Barcelona who now awaits the result between Madrid and Juve to know who they meet with the final to be played in Olympiastadion on June 6th in Berlin.
Bayern ended Barcelona's 18 match unbeaten run but could not stop them from progressing to the final since 2011. Barcelona will be seeking their fifth European title and fourth in nine years.
Pep Guardiola said at the end of the game that the "better" team had gone through. Who are we to gripe? Yet Bayern could have won this by a much bigger score line than 3-2, even putting Barcelona's place in the final in doubt.
All said and done would not be complete without acknowledging and recognising the stunning saves made by Marc-André ter Stegen. Saves from Muller's header, and Lewandoski shots saved the day for visiting Catalonia's.
