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UEFA Champions League 2012/2013
- Thread starter Weidenfeller
- Start date
Bayern Munich 4 Barcelona 0: Muller brace seals comfortable win as Messi and Co face uphill task to make Wembley final
By MARTIN SAMUEL PUBLISHED: 20:33 GMT, 23 April 2013 | UPDATED: 22:55 GMT, 23 April 2013
They did not get to win the trophy at home, but they may yet lift it at Wembley. The dream of a dahoam finale collapsed for Bayern Munich last year, but a new one, more compelling, has risen.This was the performance that confirmed what many see as a power shift in European football. Barcelona, small but perfectly, beautifully formed, were blown away by the better team in a cacophonous Allianz Arena.Munich are the daddies now.
Going ahead: Thomas Mueller celebrates giving his side the lead
What went wrong? Barcelona's star player Lionel Messi is left to stew after the comprehensive 4-0 loss
Match facts:
Bayern Munich: Neuer, Lahm, Boateng, Dante, Alaba, Javi Martinez, Schweinsteiger, Robben, Muller (Pizarro 83), Ribery (Shaqiri 88), Gomez (Gustavo 71).
Subs not used: Starke, Van Buyten, Rafinha, Tymoschuk.
Booked: Gomez, Javi Martinez, Schweinsteiger.
Goals: Muller 25, Gomez 49, Robben 73, Muller 82.
Barcelona: Valdes, Dani Alves, Pique, Bartra, Jordi Alba, Xavi, Busquets, Iniesta, Sanchez, Messi, Pedro (Villa 83).
Subs not used: Pinto, Fabregas, Thiago, Montoya, Abidal, Song.
Booked: Bartra, Sanchez, Jordi Alba, Iniesta.
Attendance: 68,000
Referee: Viktor Kassai (Hungary)
Quicker, sharper, more incisive, relentless in their pursuit of victory, they were the better team in every way last night, stronger defensively but with greater attacking verve, too.Barcelona had 63 per cent of first-half possession, which amounted to one chance. Bayern’s 37 per cent looked like a slaughter. They made it count, they pierced, they hurt, they won by four for heaven’s sake. This was a victory beyond the wildest imagination.It will take a performance so much greater than the 4-0 takedown of AC Milan for Barcelona to progress next week. The same scoreline will only net a draw and Bayern are a different class to the Italians.
They had good fortune with the second goal, which looked offside, but the scoreline, incredibly, did not flatter them. This Munich team has rewritten the record books domestically and may one day do so on a grander stage.They have nothing to fear in Europe this season, and with a young team and money to burn, that may be true for a while.They must get to Wembley first, obviously, but with Pep Guardiola soon to succeed Jupp Heynckes and major signings to be made, there is a very ominous feel about Bayern’s supremacy now. English football may be striving to keep up with the wrong mob. Bayern could have won this by more.
One foot in the final: Bayern Munich's Mario Gomez and team mate Javi Martinez celebrate after going 2-0 up
As it was, they stopped at four and the second was a gift. Mario Gomez looked suspiciously offside when he converted Thomas Muller’s header from no more than two yards but, if he was, the addition of more officials proved no help to the process.The extra official merely looked over to the linesman and, seeing no flag raised, kept his counsel. It does not help that UEFA insists on the refereeing team being from the same country. Does Hungary possess six world class officials? Not on this evidence.The build-up to Bayern’s third included a significant body check by Muller that was again ignored by the officials, but such was the dominance of the home team that feelings of injustice were increasingly irrelevant.
Three and easy: Arjen Robben celebrates scoring the third goal against Barca
Remember the name: Robben celebrates in front of the fans after his goal
Having gone past Jordi Alba once, Robben then took advantage of Muller’s intervention to kick on and curl a lovely finish into the far corner. The fourth, Muller’s second, took fervour inside the stadium to a new high. They knew Bayern were good, but this good?It was a peach of a goal, too. Bastian Schweinsteiger found Franck Ribery on the left, Ribery sent David Alaba on the overlap, Alaba crossing and Muller arriving with special timing to score from close range.Barcelona were done and have little way back. They gambled on Lionel Messi but he was plainly unfit and looks unlikely to be much improved by next week. A smart man, Guardiola. It was almost as if he saw it coming.
Feeling down: Barcelona forward Lionel Messi looks dejected
No way back? Messi and Barcelona face an uphill task in the second leg
This felt, strangely, like more than a football match. It felt like the arrival of a new European order, one created by the wealth of UEFA and the regulations that will make the mighty mightier.Bayern do not feel so much like a club as a giant financial powerhouse, one that has used its position of power within the European Clubs Association to shape the playing field to its advantage.It has won the Bundesliga by a record margin already this season — the competition was concluded six weeks before the end of the season. As if to emphasise their position of strength, this week brought the announcement of the first signing of the Guardiola era, the best player at rivals Borussia Dortmund, Mario Gotze, for £31.5m. The word is that Manchester United and Arsenal can forget about Dortmund’s Robert Lewandowski, too.He will be joining Gotze at Munich in the close season of 2014, when his contract expires.
Wheeling away: Muller celebrates scoring his second and Bayern's fourth to set Barca Mission Impossible
All on one: Franck Ribery attempts to dribble the ball past Barca players including Busquets, Xavi and Alves
The noise, the sense of entitlement and supremacy, the wall of red, it all contributes to the sense that here are football’s new masters of the universe, except this time decrees have been passed to ensure it stays that way. For Chelsea to have beaten this team, albeit on penalties, in this stadium for the greatest prize in club football a year ago remains one of the sporting feats of this century. On nights like this, it is hard to imagine how Bayern ever lose a game. Particularly as they are not immune to pulling the odd stroke too. Whether by accident or design, the pitch had been ferociously watered immediately prior to the game. It was a dry day in Munich, beautiful, sunny, the best of the year by all accounts, yet the surface played as if affected by a recent cloud burst — most noticeably in the areas where Barcelona’s tiki-taka gets going, around the centre circle. Not that Munich are long ball merchants, but nothing slows a quick, short passing game more than the ball aqua-planing when it should be skipping to its intended recipient.Naughty, that.
Disaster: Barcelona's star midfielder Andres Iniesta looks on helpless as his side capitulate
Deserved: Munich's head coach Jupp Heynckes (left) celebrates with his coaching staff
Teams of this quality are good enough to play off levels. Dirty tricks are for inferiors. And Munich are far from that.They dominated the first-half, genuinely, in a way that surprised even those unconvinced by Barcelona’s recent displays against Paris St Germain and AC Milan in the San Siro.They should have been ahead after three minutes, took a deserved lead after 25 and had two penalty appeals rejected, at least one of which looked irresistible. Perhaps it was Barcelona’s good fortune that the first chance of the game fell to Robben.The Dutchman can be brilliant but also frustrating in his failure to see the bigger picture and so it proved with the play barely formed. Robben played the ball in to Javi Martinez who laid it back into his path, Robben surging deep into the penalty area with only keeper Victor Valdes to beat. A square pass could have sealed it, but Robben went alone, with a poor finish aimed directly at Valdes and Barca were spared.
Leaping: Robben jumps to win a header against falling Barcelona attacker Alexis Sanchez (right)
Heroes: Bayern players, with Mario Gomez centre, celebrate at the end of the game with their fans
Not so on 25 minutes when a half clearance fell to Robben, whose floated right-foot cross was met by Dante, towering above Dani Alves, the Barcelona full-back left to deal with Bayern’s most dangerous aerial threat.His header across was read by Muller, arriving ahead of Gerard Pique to convert with a stooping header at the far post. Either side of this goal were penalty shouts, one optimistic, the other mystifyingly unheeded — and another triumph for Michel Platini’s extra officials. It would have been harsh indeed had Philipp Lahm’s shot from 25 yards, which struck Pique on the arm, been adjudged a foul. Pique appeared to be making no attempt to play the ball illegally and Lahm has a viciously powerful right foot. The second seemed better grounded in reason. Dante was close to Alexis Sanchez when he won his header but the ball clearly struck the Chilean’s arm. Desperate appeals to the goal-line official followed, but to no avail. Would the fifth or sixth best official in Hungary be brave enough to make such a call? What do you think?
Going ahead: Thomas Mueller celebrates giving his side the lead
What went wrong? Barcelona's star player Lionel Messi is left to stew after the comprehensive 4-0 loss
Match facts:
Bayern Munich: Neuer, Lahm, Boateng, Dante, Alaba, Javi Martinez, Schweinsteiger, Robben, Muller (Pizarro 83), Ribery (Shaqiri 88), Gomez (Gustavo 71).
Subs not used: Starke, Van Buyten, Rafinha, Tymoschuk.
Booked: Gomez, Javi Martinez, Schweinsteiger.
Goals: Muller 25, Gomez 49, Robben 73, Muller 82.
Barcelona: Valdes, Dani Alves, Pique, Bartra, Jordi Alba, Xavi, Busquets, Iniesta, Sanchez, Messi, Pedro (Villa 83).
Subs not used: Pinto, Fabregas, Thiago, Montoya, Abidal, Song.
Booked: Bartra, Sanchez, Jordi Alba, Iniesta.
Attendance: 68,000
Referee: Viktor Kassai (Hungary)
Quicker, sharper, more incisive, relentless in their pursuit of victory, they were the better team in every way last night, stronger defensively but with greater attacking verve, too.Barcelona had 63 per cent of first-half possession, which amounted to one chance. Bayern’s 37 per cent looked like a slaughter. They made it count, they pierced, they hurt, they won by four for heaven’s sake. This was a victory beyond the wildest imagination.It will take a performance so much greater than the 4-0 takedown of AC Milan for Barcelona to progress next week. The same scoreline will only net a draw and Bayern are a different class to the Italians.
They had good fortune with the second goal, which looked offside, but the scoreline, incredibly, did not flatter them. This Munich team has rewritten the record books domestically and may one day do so on a grander stage.They have nothing to fear in Europe this season, and with a young team and money to burn, that may be true for a while.They must get to Wembley first, obviously, but with Pep Guardiola soon to succeed Jupp Heynckes and major signings to be made, there is a very ominous feel about Bayern’s supremacy now. English football may be striving to keep up with the wrong mob. Bayern could have won this by more.
One foot in the final: Bayern Munich's Mario Gomez and team mate Javi Martinez celebrate after going 2-0 up
As it was, they stopped at four and the second was a gift. Mario Gomez looked suspiciously offside when he converted Thomas Muller’s header from no more than two yards but, if he was, the addition of more officials proved no help to the process.The extra official merely looked over to the linesman and, seeing no flag raised, kept his counsel. It does not help that UEFA insists on the refereeing team being from the same country. Does Hungary possess six world class officials? Not on this evidence.The build-up to Bayern’s third included a significant body check by Muller that was again ignored by the officials, but such was the dominance of the home team that feelings of injustice were increasingly irrelevant.
Three and easy: Arjen Robben celebrates scoring the third goal against Barca
Remember the name: Robben celebrates in front of the fans after his goal
Having gone past Jordi Alba once, Robben then took advantage of Muller’s intervention to kick on and curl a lovely finish into the far corner. The fourth, Muller’s second, took fervour inside the stadium to a new high. They knew Bayern were good, but this good?It was a peach of a goal, too. Bastian Schweinsteiger found Franck Ribery on the left, Ribery sent David Alaba on the overlap, Alaba crossing and Muller arriving with special timing to score from close range.Barcelona were done and have little way back. They gambled on Lionel Messi but he was plainly unfit and looks unlikely to be much improved by next week. A smart man, Guardiola. It was almost as if he saw it coming.
Feeling down: Barcelona forward Lionel Messi looks dejected
No way back? Messi and Barcelona face an uphill task in the second leg
This felt, strangely, like more than a football match. It felt like the arrival of a new European order, one created by the wealth of UEFA and the regulations that will make the mighty mightier.Bayern do not feel so much like a club as a giant financial powerhouse, one that has used its position of power within the European Clubs Association to shape the playing field to its advantage.It has won the Bundesliga by a record margin already this season — the competition was concluded six weeks before the end of the season. As if to emphasise their position of strength, this week brought the announcement of the first signing of the Guardiola era, the best player at rivals Borussia Dortmund, Mario Gotze, for £31.5m. The word is that Manchester United and Arsenal can forget about Dortmund’s Robert Lewandowski, too.He will be joining Gotze at Munich in the close season of 2014, when his contract expires.
Wheeling away: Muller celebrates scoring his second and Bayern's fourth to set Barca Mission Impossible
All on one: Franck Ribery attempts to dribble the ball past Barca players including Busquets, Xavi and Alves
The noise, the sense of entitlement and supremacy, the wall of red, it all contributes to the sense that here are football’s new masters of the universe, except this time decrees have been passed to ensure it stays that way. For Chelsea to have beaten this team, albeit on penalties, in this stadium for the greatest prize in club football a year ago remains one of the sporting feats of this century. On nights like this, it is hard to imagine how Bayern ever lose a game. Particularly as they are not immune to pulling the odd stroke too. Whether by accident or design, the pitch had been ferociously watered immediately prior to the game. It was a dry day in Munich, beautiful, sunny, the best of the year by all accounts, yet the surface played as if affected by a recent cloud burst — most noticeably in the areas where Barcelona’s tiki-taka gets going, around the centre circle. Not that Munich are long ball merchants, but nothing slows a quick, short passing game more than the ball aqua-planing when it should be skipping to its intended recipient.Naughty, that.
Disaster: Barcelona's star midfielder Andres Iniesta looks on helpless as his side capitulate
Deserved: Munich's head coach Jupp Heynckes (left) celebrates with his coaching staff
Teams of this quality are good enough to play off levels. Dirty tricks are for inferiors. And Munich are far from that.They dominated the first-half, genuinely, in a way that surprised even those unconvinced by Barcelona’s recent displays against Paris St Germain and AC Milan in the San Siro.They should have been ahead after three minutes, took a deserved lead after 25 and had two penalty appeals rejected, at least one of which looked irresistible. Perhaps it was Barcelona’s good fortune that the first chance of the game fell to Robben.The Dutchman can be brilliant but also frustrating in his failure to see the bigger picture and so it proved with the play barely formed. Robben played the ball in to Javi Martinez who laid it back into his path, Robben surging deep into the penalty area with only keeper Victor Valdes to beat. A square pass could have sealed it, but Robben went alone, with a poor finish aimed directly at Valdes and Barca were spared.
Leaping: Robben jumps to win a header against falling Barcelona attacker Alexis Sanchez (right)
Heroes: Bayern players, with Mario Gomez centre, celebrate at the end of the game with their fans
Not so on 25 minutes when a half clearance fell to Robben, whose floated right-foot cross was met by Dante, towering above Dani Alves, the Barcelona full-back left to deal with Bayern’s most dangerous aerial threat.His header across was read by Muller, arriving ahead of Gerard Pique to convert with a stooping header at the far post. Either side of this goal were penalty shouts, one optimistic, the other mystifyingly unheeded — and another triumph for Michel Platini’s extra officials. It would have been harsh indeed had Philipp Lahm’s shot from 25 yards, which struck Pique on the arm, been adjudged a foul. Pique appeared to be making no attempt to play the ball illegally and Lahm has a viciously powerful right foot. The second seemed better grounded in reason. Dante was close to Alexis Sanchez when he won his header but the ball clearly struck the Chilean’s arm. Desperate appeals to the goal-line official followed, but to no avail. Would the fifth or sixth best official in Hungary be brave enough to make such a call? What do you think?
Bayern were close to defensive perfection, says Lahm
The Bavarians' captain believes their 4-0 thrashing of Barcelona proves they are capable of beating any side in the world on their day
Ribery: We knew we could trouble Barcelona
The Bayern Munich winger says his team was always confident they could cause Barcelona problems following their 4-0 triumph at the Allianz Arena
Robben hails Bayern Munich's 'greatest display' against Barcelona
The Netherlands international believes his side's decimation of Barcelona on Tuesday was "almost inconceivable" but has warned his team-mates to remain humble
Rummenigge: Battering Barcelona 'like a dream'
The former West Germany international was blown away by the Bavarians' performance against the Blaugrana, but acknowledged the advantage of facing an unfit Lionel Messi
Roura bemoans refereeing bad luck after Bayern Munich battering
By John-Paul Tooth
Apr 23, 2013 11:31:00 PM
The Blaugrana assistant believes his side have suffered at the hands of officials this season after a number of controversial decisions in their 4-0 defeat to Bayern Munich
Barcelona assistant coach Jordi Roura feels his side have been made to suffer from poor officiating in this season's Champions League.
The Blaugrana were hammered 4-0 by Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena on Tuesday night, courtesy of a Thomas Muller double and goals from Arjen Robben and Mario Gomez.
However, Roura was left fuming after Gomez's goal was allowed to stand despite the the player appearing to be offside, whilst claims for a foul on Jordi Alba in the build-up to Robben's goal were also turned down.
"We have had bad luck with the refs [in] this [season's] Champions League," the 45-year-old told reporters.
Despite their misfortune at the hands of officials, Roura was quick to pay tribute to a scorching display from their German counterparts on the night.
"The first thing we have to do is to congratulatute Bayern," he said. "They're very strong, a great team.
"Bayern played a great game, they were the better team. In the first half, we competed well, but in the second half we lacked power."
Xavi sickened by Barcelona's 'worst result ever'
By Mark Doyle
Apr 23, 2013 10:55:00 PM
The playmaker has conceded it is now 'almost impossible' for the Blaugrana to progress to Wembley, admitting they were clearly second-best at the Allianz Arena
Xavi has described Tuesday's humiliating 4-0 defeat at the hands of Champions League semi-final opponents Bayern Munich as Barcelona's "worst result ever".
The loss at the Allianz Arena was the biggest in the competition's history at the last-four stage and represented the Blaugrana's heaviest away defeat in European competition, and their principal playmaker admitted afterwards that the Catalans could have no complaints about the final scoreline.
"It's the worst result ever," Xavi told reporters. "They were better - and I don't mind saying that."
The Spain international also conceded that the Liga leaders have little hope of turning the tie around in the second leg at Camp Nou next week.
"It's almost impossible," he confessed. "But we must try to, for this club and for everyone."
Barcelona made history in the quarter-finals by recovering from a 2-0 loss away to AC Milan to progress 4-2 on aggregate after a stirring second-leg fightback.
Messi: I was fit but not '100 per cent'
By Mark Doyle
Apr 23, 2013 11:15:00 PM
The Argentine has confessed that he was rusty after a couple of weeks on the sidelines after rushing back from a hamstring injury in time to face PSG in the quarters
Barcelona attacker Lionel Messi has admitted that he did not feel "100 per cent comfortable" in Tuesday night's devastating 4-0 defeat by Bayern Munich - but insisted that he was fit to start at the Allianz Arena.
The Argentina international had not featured for the Blaugrana since making a rapid return from a hamstring strain to lead his side into the last four at the expense of Paris Saint-Germain on April 10.
Messi struggled terribly to get into the game against Bayern and appeared to be struggling physically at one point in the second half, but he dismissed the suggestion that he should not have been risked in the first leg.
"It was some days since I played and I didn't feel 100% comfortable but I was not injured, so I could play," the 25-year-old told reports after the game.
Barcelona's loss represented their heaviest defeat in European competition and Messi conceded that the odds are against the Catalans turning the tie around at Camp Nou next week.
"It's 4-0 and it will be difficult because they are a great team," he conceded. "But we'll try to score at home and do our best.
"We must go on. Now we must win la Liga soon."
Meanwhile, Messi's team-mate Gerard Pique was distraught with his side’s showing in Bavaria, but admitted that the visitors had come off a clear second best.
"They were quicker, stronger and played better football," the centre-half told TV3. "They were the superior team.
"[Winning the tie] is almost impossible. We will have to turn around and go out and win the next match for our fans.
"We have been given a refresher."
Mario Gomez appeared to have been offside when he slotted home Bayern's second goal, while Thomas Muller fouled Jordi Alba in the build-up to Arjen Robben's goal moments later.
However, Pique did not want to lay the blame on officials for Barcelona's humiliating defeat.
"The referee did not have any influence on the result," the former Manchester United defender stated.
The second leg will take place at Camp Nou on May 1.
Heynckes: We were tactically brilliant
By Mark Doyle
Apr 23, 2013 10:25:00 PM
The Bayern Munich coach heaped praise on his troops after their 4-0 rout of Barcelona, describing the performance as the peak of their "extraordinary year"
Bayern Munich boss Jupp Heynckes paid tribute to his players for executing his game plan "brilliantly" in their sensational 4-0 trouncing of Barcelona in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final.
Two goals from Thomas Muller and a strike apiece from Arjen Robben and Mario Gomez secured a memorable victory at the Allianz Arena and see Bayern place one foot in the final, and Heynckes was thrilled at the all-round effort from his charges.
"We have played extraordinary football all year," he told Sky Sport Germany. "The appetite for success is huge after the last two years.
"My team made our tactics work brilliantly. We ran and we fought, and that's down to our strength and class."
With Bayern having already wrapped up the Bundesliga and booked their place in the DFB Pokal final, Heynckes is well on course to complete an historic treble before being replaced by former Barca boss Pep Guardiola in the summer.
We did not announce Gotze signing to distract Dortmund, insists Sammer
By Alex Moretto
Apr 23, 2013 8:24:00 PM
Bayern Munich's sporting director has conceded that the "timing is not perfect" after the news that the BVB starlet had agreed to a move was revealed
Bayern Munich sporting director Matthias Sammer insists the decision to announce the signing of Mario Gotze was not designed to distract rivals Borussia Dortmund ahead of this week's Champions League semi-finals.
News surfaced late on Monday that the talented playmaker had agreed to join the Bundesliga champions this summer, forcing Bayern to confirm the news prior to their clash with Barcelona on Tuesday.
Although he admits the timing of the announcement was far from ideal, Sammer has refuted the notion that it was intended to unsettle their German rivals prior to Wednesday's meeting with Real Madrid.
“If we would have wanted to announce the transfer (to affect Dortmund), we would have done it tomorrow, directly ahead of Dortmund's match,” he told Sky Sports.
“The timing, of course, is not perfect.
“Our aim was to play the first legs of the Champions League semi-finals and then announce it in the middle or at the end of this week.”
Gotze had long been linked with a host of other European sides, and Sammer admitted the 20-year-old had been subject of a number of other bids prior to his decision to move to the Allianz Arena.
“Mario had incredible offers from other clubs," Sammer stated. "I would say let’s be happy he stays in the Bundesliga.”
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Bayern Munich 4 : 0 Barcelona
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Bayern Munich 4 : 0 Barcelona
Messi's father told me he wasn't fit, claims Minguella
The Argentine was rushed back to face Bayern on Tuesday and put in a toothless performance as Barcelona lost 4-0 at the Allianz Arena
Reus brimming with confidence ahead of Madrid clash
The former Monchengladbach star is eagerly anticipating the semi-final tie and believes his side can spring a surprise if they keep up their recent form
Barcelona must remain optimistic, says Bartra
The defender has admitted that his side face a tough task to make it to the final, but is refusing to throw in the towel just yet
Putting Barcelona under pressure paid off, says Schweinsteiger
The midfielder has hailed coach Jupp Heynckes' tactical plan in Tuesday evening's encounter in Munich
Messi: Bayern defeat a disgrace
The Argentine was very disappointed with his side's defeat in Munich, while Gerard Pique admitted that the Bundesliga champions were simply too good
Dani Alves: I tip my hat to Bayern
The right-back has voiced his respect for the Bavarians and realises his side face a near-impossible task to turn things around in the second leg at Camp Nou
Reus: Timing of Gotze announcement 'stupid & unfortunate'
By Mark Doyle
Apr 24, 2013 2:42:00 PM
The Dortmund forward has urged fans to get behind the Bayern-bound forward for the rest of the season as they enter a crucial part of their campaign
Borussia Dortmund's Marco Reus has labelled the timing of the announcement of Mario Gotze's move to Bayern Munich "stupid and unfortunate" as his side prepare to host Real Madrid.
The Germans' preparations for the Champions League semi-final have been completely overshadowed by the previous day's news that the 20-year-old will move to the Allianz Arena this summer.
Reus admits that the news could not have come at a worse time for Dortmund bus has urged fans to get behind Gotze in a key part of the season.
"Today is THE game," the former Borussia Monchengladbach man wrote on his Facebook page.
"We're looking forward to Real Madrid and we want to reach the Champions League final. Nothing will distract us from our goal - not even the news which everyone in Germany has been talking about.
"Mario has made a decision for his future. We have to respect that. The timing of the announcement was certainly stupid and unfortunate. But no one should believe that Mario is responsible for that.
"I think that some of the comments about Mario which I heard or read on Facebook are below the belt. He doesn't deserve that. He has a lot to thank you and Dortmund for, but BVB also owe him. Let's not forget that.
"Please, let's look forward and celebrate a great night of football together - including Mario of course!"
Another BVB star linked with a controversial move to Bayern is Mats Hummels, whose father and advisor Hermann has moved to quash rumours.
"There's nothing to it," he told Express. "My son has a contract with Dortmund until 2017."
Hummels started his career at Bayern but joined BVB on a permanent basis in 2009 after a successful loan spell.
Dortmund 4 Madrid 1: Lewandowski runs riot on Real with FOURsome display as Spanish Wembley dreams are shredded
By MARTIN SAMUEL PUBLISHED: 20:38 GMT, 24 April 2013 | UPDATED: 07:16 GMT, 25 April 2013
Just what everyone was hoping for at Wembley next month. The first all-German European Cup final. Fussball’s coming home, everybody. Enjoy.And we will. No complaints here. Why should there be? It is nigh impossible to dispute the top two clubs in the Bundesliga as also the best in Europe right now, and while they might be 20 points apart domestically, to see them go at it hammer and tongs, donner und blitzen, for 90 minutes will still be a privilege. After Bayern Munich took Barcelona apart on Tuesday, last night saw Borussia Dortmund dominate Real Madrid in a manner few thought possible, given the legendary cussedness of their coach, Jose Mourinho
On fire: Robert Lewandowski scored all four goals as Dortmund crushed Real Madrid in their semi-final first leg
Helpless: Real Madrid head coach Jose Mourinho
Dejected: Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo
MATCH FACTS
Borussia Dortmund: Weidenfeller, Piszczek (Grosskreutz 83), Subotic, Hummels, Schmelzer, Bender, Gundogan (Schieber 90),
Blaszczykowski (Kehl 82), Gotze, Reus, Lewandowski.
Subs Not Used: Langerak, Leitner, Sahin, Felipe Santana.
Booked: Lewandowski.
Goals: Lewandowski 8, 50, 55, (pen) 67.
Real Madrid: Diego Lopez, Sergio Ramos, Varane, Pepe, Fabio Coentrao, Khedira, Alonso (Kaka 80), Ozil,Modric (Di Maria 68), Ronaldo, Higuain (Benzema 68).
Subs Not Used: Casillas, Albiol, Callejon, Nacho.
Booked: Khedira, Ozil, Sergio Ramos.
Goals: Ronaldo 43.
Att: 65,829
Ref: Bjorn Kuipers (Holland).
An incredible, scarcely believable four goals from Robert Lewandowski sealed the deal, but this was no mere one-man show.Dortmund won the midfield, the defensive battle, had the better goalkeeper and Lewandowski was head and shoulders the best forward on the field, closely followed by team-mate Marco Reus. It comes to something when Germans give up the right to take a penalty, but Dortmund’s nationals stood aside for Lewandowski to claim number four. It is hard to imagine Madrid have a way back from here, needing to win 3-0 to progress on away goals. It is not impossible, but it is unlikely. For the plain fact is that Borussia Dortmund are a better team than Real Madrid. They were last night, and they have been this season. Madrid have played Dortmund three times in this campaign, losing twice and drawing once. The aggregate score between the clubs reads Borussia Dortmund 8 Real Madrid 4. And between the countries after the first round of Champions League semi-finals: Germany 8 Spain 1.
Perfect start: Lewandowski put Dortmund ahead as early as the eighth minute
Even his Specialness sounded beset by gloom as he raked over the ashes of his most humbling night in European competition. ‘Dortmund were the best team by far,’ he said. ‘They deserved it. We lost easy possession. Many of our boys didn’t perform, many didn’t have a good night. They were stronger collectively and in every individual duel. ‘We had so many difficulties. They were better physically and mentally. How did it go from 1-1 to 4-1? I don’t know. Everything happened in such a short space of time. We couldn’t cope with their counter attack and their transition.’
Lead: Lewandowski peeled away at the far post to guide Mario Gotze's cross into the far corner
'The best team won,' admits Mourinho after Dortmund demolition
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This was hardly comfortable viewing for England manager Roy Hodgson, either, considering his defenders must find a way of containing Lewandowski in the shirt of Poland later this year. He was immense, his three second-half goals coming in the space of 17 minutes, Madrid shaken to the core throughout by his movement and clinical finishing. He could have added a fifth were it not for a fine save from Real Madrid goalkeeper Diego Lopez late on. It was Dortmund who dictated the tempo of the game and Lewandowski who set the standard in front of goal. He is the first player to score a hat-trick in the Champions League against Real Madrid and only the fifth player to score four in one game in this competition in the quarter-finals or beyond.
Level: Cristiano Ronaldo equalised for Real Madrid just before half-time
Alfredo Di Stefano, Ferenc Puskas, Sandor Kocsis and Lionel Messi are the others. Some roll call. Some player.Pepe is Mourinho’s rock in defence and not the type to take prisoners but he was exposed almost from the opening. Dortmund’s first chance came after seven minutes when Sven Bender won a fierce tackle in the heart of midfield and released Reus on a run full of possibility.He seemed to glide with the minimum of effort past a succession of white shirts before attempting a delicate finish to which Lopez got a hand. It was only temporary respite. From the next attack, Dortmund were ahead. Mario Gotze supplied an outstanding cross and Lewandowski’s use of space was quite superb, giving Pepe the slip and making room at the far post to force the ball past Lopez. The Yellow Wall, as the south terrace is known at this most colourful of grounds, went wild.
Ahead again: Lewandowski held off Raphael Varane's challenge to give the Germans a 2-1 lead
It did not matter to them that Gotze’s £31.5m transfer to rivals Bayern Munich had just been announced. It did not seem to trouble them, even before he supplied such a superb pass. There had been protests earlier in the day but the locals had decided that beating Real Madrid was a bigger issue on the night. And by the end, they were all one.Before that, however, came 60 seconds that could have changed the game. Reus broke into the Madrid penalty area, at which point Raphael Varane appeared to latch on to his arm. It was not the most forceful contact, but Reus fell and referee Bjorn Kuipers could easily have awarded a penalty. Instead, from the resulting counter-attack, Madrid equalised.
No 3: Lewandowski smashed home in the 55th minute to complete his hat-trick
To be fair, it also required a horrendous mistake by Mats Hummels to do the harm, under-hitting a back pass which Gonzalo Higuain seized like a cheetah on a stricken antelope. He drove at goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller, but at the last unselfishly squared for Cristiano Ronaldo to convert into an empty net.It could have ripped the heart from lesser teams. Instead, Dortmund emerged for the second half spoiling for a fight.There was vengeance in their play, and verve, and helped by some pretty pitiful defensive work they ripped Madrid to shreds.
Straight and hard: Lewandowski fired home a penalty to score his fourth goal and complete the rout
Drilled: Real Madrid goalkeeper Diego Lopez was left with no chance of saving the clinical penalty
The second half was five minutes old when a lame shot by Reus was inexplicably ignored by the back line of white, Mourinho’s players preferring to seek an offside flag against Lewandowski. In vain, as it transpired. Sami Khedira, sluggish to push up, played him on and the ball rolled to the striker who, realising his good fortune, made no mistake, turning it expertly past Lopez.If that goal had a hint of fortune, Lewandowski’s third was high art. Marcel Schmelzer hit a low ball across the face of goal, it was deflected into Lewandowski’s path and he held off Pepe before completing a breathtaking manoeuvre, dragging the ball back in one deft, fluent exercise before firing a shot into the top of the net.
Jubilation: Lewandowski leads the celebrations at the final whistle on a famous night for Dortmund
Pat on the back: Manager Jurgen Klopp and Jakub Blaszczykowski congratulate the Polish striker
Embrace: Mario Gotze celebrates as Lewandowski hugs team-mate Ilkay Guendogan
The gasps soon gave way to a sound more raucous.At that stage a 2-0 win in the Bernabeu would still have seen Madrid through. The goal that may have taken the tie away from them came as the Spaniards collapsed in disarray. Xabi Alonso clattered into the back of Reus going for a header, referee Kuipers awarded the penalty and Lewandowski finished it in style. It was the best of times and for those hoping to celebrate an English occasion at Wembley next month, maybe the wurst of times, too.
On fire: Robert Lewandowski scored all four goals as Dortmund crushed Real Madrid in their semi-final first leg
Helpless: Real Madrid head coach Jose Mourinho
Dejected: Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo
MATCH FACTS
Borussia Dortmund: Weidenfeller, Piszczek (Grosskreutz 83), Subotic, Hummels, Schmelzer, Bender, Gundogan (Schieber 90),
Blaszczykowski (Kehl 82), Gotze, Reus, Lewandowski.
Subs Not Used: Langerak, Leitner, Sahin, Felipe Santana.
Booked: Lewandowski.
Goals: Lewandowski 8, 50, 55, (pen) 67.
Real Madrid: Diego Lopez, Sergio Ramos, Varane, Pepe, Fabio Coentrao, Khedira, Alonso (Kaka 80), Ozil,Modric (Di Maria 68), Ronaldo, Higuain (Benzema 68).
Subs Not Used: Casillas, Albiol, Callejon, Nacho.
Booked: Khedira, Ozil, Sergio Ramos.
Goals: Ronaldo 43.
Att: 65,829
Ref: Bjorn Kuipers (Holland).
An incredible, scarcely believable four goals from Robert Lewandowski sealed the deal, but this was no mere one-man show.Dortmund won the midfield, the defensive battle, had the better goalkeeper and Lewandowski was head and shoulders the best forward on the field, closely followed by team-mate Marco Reus. It comes to something when Germans give up the right to take a penalty, but Dortmund’s nationals stood aside for Lewandowski to claim number four. It is hard to imagine Madrid have a way back from here, needing to win 3-0 to progress on away goals. It is not impossible, but it is unlikely. For the plain fact is that Borussia Dortmund are a better team than Real Madrid. They were last night, and they have been this season. Madrid have played Dortmund three times in this campaign, losing twice and drawing once. The aggregate score between the clubs reads Borussia Dortmund 8 Real Madrid 4. And between the countries after the first round of Champions League semi-finals: Germany 8 Spain 1.
Perfect start: Lewandowski put Dortmund ahead as early as the eighth minute
Even his Specialness sounded beset by gloom as he raked over the ashes of his most humbling night in European competition. ‘Dortmund were the best team by far,’ he said. ‘They deserved it. We lost easy possession. Many of our boys didn’t perform, many didn’t have a good night. They were stronger collectively and in every individual duel. ‘We had so many difficulties. They were better physically and mentally. How did it go from 1-1 to 4-1? I don’t know. Everything happened in such a short space of time. We couldn’t cope with their counter attack and their transition.’
Lead: Lewandowski peeled away at the far post to guide Mario Gotze's cross into the far corner
'The best team won,' admits Mourinho after Dortmund demolition
<center></center>
This was hardly comfortable viewing for England manager Roy Hodgson, either, considering his defenders must find a way of containing Lewandowski in the shirt of Poland later this year. He was immense, his three second-half goals coming in the space of 17 minutes, Madrid shaken to the core throughout by his movement and clinical finishing. He could have added a fifth were it not for a fine save from Real Madrid goalkeeper Diego Lopez late on. It was Dortmund who dictated the tempo of the game and Lewandowski who set the standard in front of goal. He is the first player to score a hat-trick in the Champions League against Real Madrid and only the fifth player to score four in one game in this competition in the quarter-finals or beyond.
Level: Cristiano Ronaldo equalised for Real Madrid just before half-time
Alfredo Di Stefano, Ferenc Puskas, Sandor Kocsis and Lionel Messi are the others. Some roll call. Some player.Pepe is Mourinho’s rock in defence and not the type to take prisoners but he was exposed almost from the opening. Dortmund’s first chance came after seven minutes when Sven Bender won a fierce tackle in the heart of midfield and released Reus on a run full of possibility.He seemed to glide with the minimum of effort past a succession of white shirts before attempting a delicate finish to which Lopez got a hand. It was only temporary respite. From the next attack, Dortmund were ahead. Mario Gotze supplied an outstanding cross and Lewandowski’s use of space was quite superb, giving Pepe the slip and making room at the far post to force the ball past Lopez. The Yellow Wall, as the south terrace is known at this most colourful of grounds, went wild.
Ahead again: Lewandowski held off Raphael Varane's challenge to give the Germans a 2-1 lead
It did not matter to them that Gotze’s £31.5m transfer to rivals Bayern Munich had just been announced. It did not seem to trouble them, even before he supplied such a superb pass. There had been protests earlier in the day but the locals had decided that beating Real Madrid was a bigger issue on the night. And by the end, they were all one.Before that, however, came 60 seconds that could have changed the game. Reus broke into the Madrid penalty area, at which point Raphael Varane appeared to latch on to his arm. It was not the most forceful contact, but Reus fell and referee Bjorn Kuipers could easily have awarded a penalty. Instead, from the resulting counter-attack, Madrid equalised.
No 3: Lewandowski smashed home in the 55th minute to complete his hat-trick
To be fair, it also required a horrendous mistake by Mats Hummels to do the harm, under-hitting a back pass which Gonzalo Higuain seized like a cheetah on a stricken antelope. He drove at goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller, but at the last unselfishly squared for Cristiano Ronaldo to convert into an empty net.It could have ripped the heart from lesser teams. Instead, Dortmund emerged for the second half spoiling for a fight.There was vengeance in their play, and verve, and helped by some pretty pitiful defensive work they ripped Madrid to shreds.
Straight and hard: Lewandowski fired home a penalty to score his fourth goal and complete the rout
Drilled: Real Madrid goalkeeper Diego Lopez was left with no chance of saving the clinical penalty
The second half was five minutes old when a lame shot by Reus was inexplicably ignored by the back line of white, Mourinho’s players preferring to seek an offside flag against Lewandowski. In vain, as it transpired. Sami Khedira, sluggish to push up, played him on and the ball rolled to the striker who, realising his good fortune, made no mistake, turning it expertly past Lopez.If that goal had a hint of fortune, Lewandowski’s third was high art. Marcel Schmelzer hit a low ball across the face of goal, it was deflected into Lewandowski’s path and he held off Pepe before completing a breathtaking manoeuvre, dragging the ball back in one deft, fluent exercise before firing a shot into the top of the net.
Jubilation: Lewandowski leads the celebrations at the final whistle on a famous night for Dortmund
Pat on the back: Manager Jurgen Klopp and Jakub Blaszczykowski congratulate the Polish striker
Embrace: Mario Gotze celebrates as Lewandowski hugs team-mate Ilkay Guendogan
The gasps soon gave way to a sound more raucous.At that stage a 2-0 win in the Bernabeu would still have seen Madrid through. The goal that may have taken the tie away from them came as the Spaniards collapsed in disarray. Xabi Alonso clattered into the back of Reus going for a header, referee Kuipers awarded the penalty and Lewandowski finished it in style. It was the best of times and for those hoping to celebrate an English occasion at Wembley next month, maybe the wurst of times, too.
Pepe: Real Madrid can still make it to Wembley
The Portugal international has not given up hope of making it to the final yet as and believes los Blancos can set the record straight at home
Subotic: Whatever Klopp says is God's word
The centre-back credited the trainer as the brains behind his side's brilliant performance on Wednesday night
'The final is all that counts' - Lewandowski humble after four-goal haul
The Poland international struck four times during the game to give his side a strong lead going into the semi-final second leg at the Santiago Bernabeu next week
Dortmund were the better side, admits Ramos after drubbing
By Daniel Edwards
Apr 24, 2013 10:10:00 PM
The centre-back pulled no punches in his analysis of a comprehensive loss in Signal Iduna Park, and stated that Real Madrid would have to attack from the start in the second leg
Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos offered no excuses for his team after they suffered a bruising 4-1 reverse at the hands of Borussia Dortmund, admitting they were outplayed by the Germans in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final.
The Blancos were overwhelmed by a stunning exhibition of finishing by Robert Lewandowski, who netted all of his side's goals as they inflicted a punishing defeat on their rivals. Madrid were given a lifeline by Cristiano Ronaldo's away goal, but will have to turn around a three-goal deficit on home soil if they wish to reach the final.
Speaking after the final whistle, Ramos recognised his team were defeated by a far superior outfit.
"We had no attitude. They were better, that's all. We still got 90 minutes but it's so difficult with a German team," the centre-back confided when questioned by reporters on Wednesday evening.
"People thought we were lucky, but they are a good team. Team spirit and the hard work won today."
Asked whether he thought Madrid's hopes were still alive in the tournament, Sergio gave a tepid response.
"It will be difficult to pass [into the final]. We must try hard from the begining to have options in this competition," he added.
Madrid will host Dortmund in the Santiago Bernabeu on April 30, knowing they must score at least three times to have a chance of reaching the final.
Mourinho: Our defending gave Lewandowski man of the match
By Daniel Edwards
Apr 24, 2013 10:30:00 PM
While acknowledging Dortmund's superiority, the outspoken trainer was clearly vexed at seeing BVB's attacking star hit four times against an under-par defence
Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho could not hide his disappointment at going down to Borussia Dortmund in the first leg of the Champions League semi-finals, putting the blame on his defence for helping Robert Lewandowski achieve a remarkable scoring feat.
The Poland international hit all of his side's goals in a dominant 4-1 victory at Signal Iduna Park, becoming the first man to reach such a tally in a single semi-final match during either the European Cup or Champions League eras. The win leaves Dortmund on the verge of reaching the final, although Madrid will have the chance for revenge next week on home soil.
Speaking after the match, the Portuguese trainer was irritated with his backline, slamming them for failing to control Lewandowski even though they knew what to expect from the striker.
"We know everything about Lewandowski, absolutely everything, we studied him from every detail possible and we lose him in three goals - i don't talk about the penalty - where we know exactly what he does," Mourinho explained in the post-match press conference.
"It's of course very disappointing. When I lose and I don't deserve to lose, for me it's a drama, when I lose and I deserve to lose, it's a situation I don't accept."
While careful not to take away merit from Dortmund, whom he described as "by far the best team," Jose was frank as he described his side's failings on what was the biggest game of their season so far.
"We prepared the game as well as we do always but also in the semi-finals we were ready for everything, we were very confident about the work we did," he added.
"I think many of the boys did not have a good night, and this is exactly when you can't make mistakes because at club level this is the second most important night in the world of football."
Mourinho and Madrid will attempt to make amends for the defeat this coming Tuesday, when they host Dortmund in the Santiago Bernabeu needing at least three goals.
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