Champions League semi-final: patch between “breathtaking” and “maximum cruelty”

After a football spectacle for the history books, Hansi Flick rank for version. The German Barça trainer had to explain what can hardly be explained. After a famous catch-up hunting, his team thought he was already in the Champions League final before the “maximum cruelty” followed-as the Spanish newspaper “Marca” described the turn in added time and the following end in extra time.

Despite the painful departure against Inter Milan in the semi -finals, Flick appeared as possible as it is possible after such an emotional game. “I am disappointed, but not about the team’s presentation,” commented the football teacher Milan 4: 3 (3: 3, 2: 0) victory after extra time. “You did everything you could and did a really good job.”

“Gloral, unfiltered madness”

Of course that was only half the truth. Because the defensive department of FC Barcelona had not done a good job again. As with the 3: 3 in the first leg, the stormy Barça team conceded too many goals. What made the wonderful wild back and forth and the 13 goals in two semi-final games for neutral fans all over the world, however, a football enjoyment, which the British broadcaster BBC immediately classified as a “all-time classic”.

The “Daily Mail” also came to a similar assessment and wrote: “It was glorious, unfiltered madness-the best Champions League semi-final in history.” Prime commentator Jonas Friedrich enthused: “It was a game that we will tell about our grandchildren!” According to data service provider Optaffranz, the 13 goals meant the adjustment of the record for most hits in a Champions League semi-final.

Dream of triple burst

Flick resisted the usual reflex, the trouble about the end and the bad mood associated with referee Szymon Marciniak. Although the former national coach complained that “every 50:50 decision he made” in favor of Inter Milan. But even when asked, the coach, which had seen yellow (90.+3) after Francesco Acerbis Acerbis Last-Minute compensation, remained as calm and factual as possible as in such a situation. The former national coach replied: “I told him what I think, but I won’t say it here.”

The dream of clearing all three big titles with Bayern in 2020 is ended for the 60-year-old. And on Sunday the next important, possibly preliminary game for Flick and his team is on the program. In the Spanish championship, the Catalans receive the defending champion Real Madrid.

Ideally, FC Barcelona could extend the lead to seven points that can hardly be obtained. On the other hand, in the event of a defeat, the big nerve flutter threatens and in the end there is another big disappointment. “We have to get up again,” said Flick. “This is the message that I want to give my players.”

The special return to Munich

While the international season for Flick has ended since Tuesday evening, Yann Sommer can look forward to a triumphal return to Munich. The former Bundesliga goalkeeper, who was not exactly overwhelmed with praise in his short Bayern guest game, was the outstanding player at the San-Siro spectacle.

The Swiss was rightly honored as “Man of the Match” – even if the final spoink of the memorable football evening belonged to the winning goal scorer Davide Frattesi in the 99th minute. “The decisive player in this game,” said “Marca”, “the goalkeeper. The Swiss “look” raved about “monster parades”.

“I came to tears right after the final whistle,” said Sommer. “I couldn’t be happier!” His team “was almost outside,” said Sommer. Then, however, it was seen what a “giant belief” in the team and what force was in the time-honored Giuseppe-Mazza Stadium. “The power that develops in this stadium gives us a lot,” said the long-time Swiss national goalkeeper, who had the Barcelona attacker despair several times at the offensive fireworks.

Not only summer experienced “an incredible game” that team -mate Acerbi described as “breathtaking”. The goalkeeper, who was briefly employed by Bayern as Manuel-Neuer replacement and sold by Bayern with loss to Milan, is now looking at the final on May 31: “I’m really looking forward to Munich! I’m now 36 years old, no longer the youngest.”