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BAYERN MUENCHEN COMPLETE ALL-BUNDESLIGA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL

Line-ups:

Barcelona: Victor Valdes - Daniel Alves, Pique, Bartra (Montoya 87'), Adriano - Xavi (Sanchez 55'), Song, Iniesta (Alacantra 64') - Villa, Fabregas, Pedro

Bayern: Neuer - Lahm (Rafinha 77'), Boateng, van Buyten, Alaba - Schweinsteiger (Luiz Gustavo 66'), Martinez (Tymoshchuk 74') - Robben, Müller, Ribery - Mandzukic

Goals: 0-1 Robben (49'), 0-2 Pique (o.g. 72'), 0-3 Müller (76')

With a 4-0 lead to defend from the first leg, one of the options may have been to sit back and defend for 90 minutes, yet that thought did not appear to have crossed any minds in the Bayern camp. Although Barcelona were quick to parade their customary possessional prowess, Bayern sought every chance they could to get forwards themselves.

Philipp Lahm spent as much time marauding forwards down the right as he did caring for his defensive duties. Arjen Robben was often the beneficiary, but Gerard Pique lunged to deny him once before nullifying a chance for Lahm from Bastian Schweinsteiger’s backheel.
Robben opener

As the clock wound down, Barca had to throw caution to the wind, though, and they continued to surge forwards at every opportunity. Without the talismanic Messi, who had been surprisingly excluded from the starting XI, their attack was too blunt to penetrate. Pedro came closest with a shot which Manuel Neuer tipped behind before Xavi Hernandez volleyed over from close range and Adriano released a tame effort.

There was nothing tame nor harmless about the shot which Robben arced into the far corner of Victor Valdes’ goal early in the second half, effectively putting the game to bed. Pedro made the mistake of inviting the Dutch winger onto his deadly left foot, and the rest was history.
Dominant Bayern

With a place in the final under lock and key, Heynckes turned his attention to Wembley and withdrew Bastian Schweinsteiger, bringing Luiz Gustavo on. One of the Brazilian’s first duties was to send Franck Ribery down the left and his cross was deflected into the top corner of his own goal by Pique.

There were 20 minutes to go and Barca were already pining for the final whistle, but there was more embarrassment to come for the Spanish giants. Ribery again surged down the left and lifted the ball up to the far post where Müller rose to head in his third over the two legs, and the third on the night to set up the first ever all-German Champions League final with Borussia Dortmund.
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RIBERY: “SIMPLY PUT, WE’RE STRONGER”

One man who has been through the all the title-winning highs and final-losing lows in recent years is French international Franck Ribery. Talking exclusively to bundesliga.com ahead of the UEFA Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund, the 30-year-old discusses FC Bayern’s hopes of an historic treble, the rivalry with BVB and his chances of featuring in the running for the 2013 Ballon d’Or.

bundesliga.com: Franck Ribery, were you surprised at how quickly FC Bayern found their feet again this season after the 2011/12 campaign ended without a title?

Franck Ribery: No, not really. At that time, it was a shock for us all. We suffered greatly a year ago after finishing second in the league and losing the UEFA Champions League final to Chelsea, as well as the DFB Cup final against Borussia Dortmund. It was a terrible season and we were all at the end of our tethers in the changing room, but we managed to bounce back immediately and performed incredibly during the first half of the season. As a result we became even hungrier and wanted to put the shame of defeat behind us. We won the Bundesliga title fairly comfortably. That was our top priority. On top of that we also have the opportunity to play in another [European] final and we most certainly don’t want to relive our experience from May 19, 2012.

bundesliga.com: When you signed your contract with FC Bayern Munich in July 2007, did you in your wildest dreams ever believe that your team would reach the Champions League final three times in four years?

Ribery: Definitely not, but with time I’ve come to understand how big FC Bayern is. The organisation is perfect, the people involved are unbelievably friendly and open. I always ask myself: Is this what it’s like at every club? There’s everything you need in order to be successful here.

bundesliga.com: At the start of your Bayern career did you by any chance underestimate the team's ability to compete with the likes of FC Barcelona or Real Madrid long-term?

Ribery: I preferred to look at it as FC Bayern not being in the spotlight as much as the top Spanish clubs. However, one thing is clear: If you come to FC Bayern, you never want to leave.

bundesliga.com: What will be the key in this final?

Ribery: We know Borussia Dortmund inside-out. It will be crucial not to put too much pressure on ourselves. BVB are a difficult side to play against. First and foremost they’re physically strong and defend very well, but if we perform in the manner we did against Juventus in the quarter-finals and in the semi-finals against Barcelona, then we’ll win the encounter. I don’t know whether we’ll make it to the final of the Champions League ever again, which is why we want to give it everything we’ve got to finally hold the trophy. It will also be important from a mentality standpoint. If we’re all ready and willing to give 100 per cent then we’ll emerge victorious. Then there’s also the DFB Cup final against VfB Stuttgart. Imagine us winning the treble. That would be historic.

bundesliga.com: You're only two wins away from doing just that...

Ribery: We’re well aware of that, but we can also lose everything. We certainly don’t have any desire to let that happen.

bundesliga.com: The rivalry between the two teams seems to be growing with every passing season. Is there any hatred?

Ribery: I wouldn’t go that far, but it’s clear that there will be no love lost. Both clubs have been competing on roughly the same level for the last three years. It will be a special encounter.

bundesliga.com: Were you surprised that Dortmund reached the Champions League final?

Ribery: I was impressed how this team managed to dismantle Real Madrid in the semi-finals, but we should only be thinking of ourselves. Put simply, we’re stronger.

bundesliga.com: How satisfied have you been with your personal performances this season?

Ribery: I’m proud of my performances, but also of the players around me. We harmonise perfectly together. I’ve been playing here for six years and continue to have an incredible amount of fun on a daily basis. Everything is going perfectly.

bundesliga.com: Are you thinking about winning the Ballon d’Or 2013 at all?

Ribery: That’s not my priority. Right now it’s all about collecting the three titles. A few years ago I thought I had what it took to win the Ballon d’Or. Since then I haven’t wasted any more thoughts on the subject. Now it’s starting to get brought up again. However, the most important thing for me is to win the UEFA Champions League and then we’ll see what happens.

Interview by Alexis Menuge
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