Champions League 12 13 – Plus & Free

First half: Both teams pressed like demons. Dante and Hummels ruled the air. Reus hit the post. Robben missed a one-on-one with Weidenfeller. 0–0 at half.

The 2012 final had left Munich in shreds. On their own turf, in the Allianz Arena, Bayern Munich had dominated Chelsea for 120 minutes—only to lose on penalties. The image of Bastian Schweinsteiger on his knees, tears cutting through the sweat, while Didier Drogba took off his shirt in triumph, became a scar the club wore for a full year. champions league 12 13

Bayern destroyed Arsenal 3–1 at the Emirates and finished them 2–0 at home. No drama. Just precision. Dortmund faced Shakhtar Donetsk. A 2–2 draw in Ukraine felt shaky, but a 3–0 win at the Westfalenstadion sent them through. But the real shock came in the other ties. Milan beat Barcelona 2–0 at San Siro —Kevin-Prince Boateng’s volley a symbol of power against possession. But Barça clawed back 4–0 at Camp Nou. Messi was injured, but still, they survived. And then there was Malaga . The Andalusian fairy tale, led by Pellegrini and Isco, knocked out Porto on away goals. They were minutes from the semifinals. But fate had other plans. First half: Both teams pressed like demons