Bayern stuns Barca 4-0 in champions league semifinal

Bayern Munich's Thomas Muller (2nd R) celebrates with team mates Franck Ribery (2nd L), Mario Gomez (L) and Javi Martinez after scoring against Barcelona during their Champions League semifinal first leg soccer match at Arena stadium in Munich, April 23, 2013. [Photo/Agencies]

MADRID - Bayern Munich all but assured their place in the final of the Champions League with a crushing 4- 0 win over FC Barcelona in the first leg of their Champions League semifinal on Tuesday night.

Barca need a miracle to reach the final as the Catalans were blown away by Bayern's pace and power and need a miracle next Wednesday in the Camp Nou if they are to overturn the two goals scored by Thomas Muller, plus those of Mario Gomez and Arjen Robben on a magnificent night for last year's beaten finalists.

The big news for Barcelona before the game was the return of Lionel Messi to their starting 11 after the Argentinean had missed the past two league matches with a hamstring injury, and Marc Bartra's inclusion at center half alongside Gerard Pique. However, as events would show, perhaps Messi should have been left out as he did not look fit and hardly came into contact with the ball.

Bayern, who have already assured the German league title for this season, were able to put a powerful 11 on the pitch with Bastian Schweinsteiger and Javi Martinez in central midfield and Mario Gomez, Arjen Robben, Frank Ribert and Thomas Muller in attack.

Barcelona's Lionel Messi reacts during his Champions League semifinal first leg soccer match against Bayern Munich at Arena stadium in Munich, April 23, 2013. [Photo/Agencies]