Munich (Germany) (AFP)
Bayern-Barcelona! The poster of the quarter-final of the Champions League next Friday is sumptuous, but the Germans will arrive in Lisbon as favorites, with a Robert Lewandowski in a state of grace, again author of a double Saturday against Chelsea (4-1) in the return match of the 8th.
Five months after their 3-0 victory in London in the first leg in March, the Bavarians lined up their 12th consecutive victory since the post-coronavirus recovery in mid-May.
Lewandowski opened the scoring from the penalty spot (10th), then scored the fourth goal (83rd) to consolidate his first place in the scorers classification of the C1 with ... 13 goals in eight matches! He also delivered two assists to Ivan Perisic (24th) and Corentin Tolisso (76th) for the other two goals for Bayern.
Tammy Abraham answered for Chelsea (2-1, 44th) and saved the honor of the Blues: only one goal in more than three hours of play against the champions of Germany.
The Bavarian coach Hansi Flick had given a clear signal, by lining up at the kick-off all his valid holders. Despite the three goals ahead, there was no question of taking the slightest risk. Only Benjamin Pavard (ankle) and Kingsley Coman (muscle problem) were missing.
- Triple in sight -
It is therefore a fully inflated Bayern that will fly to Portugal on Sunday, with the dream of achieving the second league-cup-Champions League treble in its history, after that of the Robben-Ribéry generation in 2013.
Statistics alone are enough to terrify adversaries. The "Rekordmeister" has become this season the best winner in the history of the C1 group stages, with six wins in six matches and a goal difference of +19 (24 goals scored, five conceded).
Its gunners are untenable. Lewandowski no longer has a competitor in the competition, especially after the elimination of Ronaldo with Juve by Lyon. And Serge Gnabry, the gifted winger, recorded his name in the annals by securing a quadruple in Tottenham (7-2) then a double in the first leg at Chelsea in March!
And there is no "Champions League" magic effect. On the national stage, Bayern swept everything away as well, winning the championship and the cup thanks to a streak of 11 consecutive victories after the post-coronavirus recovery in mid-May.
- "Any error is punished" -
Saturday night, the suspense did not last long. From the tenth minute of play, Lewandowski did justice to himself after being mown in the area by the Blues goalkeeper, Willy Caballero (1-0, 10th).
The Pole then offered the second goal to Ivan Perisic (2-0, 24th), to crown a start to the match entirely dominated by the Bavarians, more aggressive in the duels, omnipresent in the pressing and totally in their match, despite the strange atmosphere of an empty Allianz Arena.
At 5-0 over both matches, Bayern logically eased off, and Hudson-Odoi even deceived Neuer with a beautiful shot wrapped (28th). But the goal was disallowed for offside after VAR intervention. Just before the break, Tammy Abraham, however, reduced the gap, by taking a close ball repelled by Neuer (2-1, 44 ').
Corentin Tolisso, who entered on the hour mark, then scored with a good volley at six meters (3-1, 76th), on a cross from his indispensable Polish colleague, before the same Lewandowski completed the recital of the head (4-1, 83rd).
In Portugal, the opposition will be more serious, in cut-throat knockout matches. "We know that well with the national team", has already commented Manuel Neuer, "we know that in this format any error is punished".
An appointment is therefore made with Barça Lionel Messi for a great European "classic" on Friday.
© 2020 AFP