“They didn’t know what was happening” - Manuel Neuer on how ‘amazing’ Bayern destroyed Barcelona at Camp Nou
German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has spoken about his Bayern Munich side's 2013 Barcelona thrashing for the first time since the match. German giants Bayern Munich downed the Spanish side 7-0 on aggregate. Neuer recently said that the opponents did not know what had hit them.
Prime Video Sport interviewed the protagonists of the match, including manager Jupp Heynckes, Thomas Muller, and Neuer. Bayern Munich faced Barcelona in the semifinals of the 2012-13 UEFA Champions League, looking for redemption and a place in the final.
The German club had lost the final to Chelsea in front of its own fans the previous year and was keen to win the competition this time. It had defeated the Spanish side 4-0 at the Allianz Arena in the first leg before proceeding to the Camp Nou for the second leg.
Manuel Neuer said that his side did something teams rarely do to Barcelona by running rings around them on their own turf. The Spanish side had Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Lionel Messi, and all of its regular stars.
"They didn't know what was happening or why it was happening, and particularly in their stadium, they have a very wide pitch, with a lot of possession, but we were on amazing form, we ran rings round them in a way I've rarely ever seen."
Bayern Munich progressed to the final of the tournament in the 2012-13 season, with Neuer keeping a clean sheet in both legs. The German side went on to defeat Borussia Dortmund in the final to claim the title and a treble.
Barcelona keen for UEFA Champions League success
In the last decade, Barcelona has won the UEFA Champions League only once — in 2015 under Luis Enrique. The Spanish giants have seen their performances get progressively worse in the competition over the years.
In each of the last two seasons under Xavi, Barcelona have failed to make it out of their group in the competition. They finished third both times, dropping to the UEFA Europa League and failing to win even the second-tier competition.
The Blaugrana have tasted great success domestically, but their Achilles heel has been continental competition. The Spanish champions have begun this season excellently in the competition, with two wins from two matches, and look set for a place in the next round.
Xavi has already led his boyhood club to a league triumph, and will surely be looking to win the UEFA Champions League next.