Barcelona Light Up Bayern, Chelsea Dispense With Liverpool, Champions League Thrown Wide Open

Wow. I need to take a deep breath just so my fingers can stop shaking so I can actually type properly. Here are some thoughts on today's 4-0 brushing aside of Bayern:

1. Bayern looked shell shocked. The entire team with the exception of van Bommel (who somehow avoided getting booked despite elbowing Messi in the face) and Ribery to a more limited extent looked completely lost, and had no idea of what the hell to do. This was especially true after the first twelve minutes, by which time Barca were already 2-0 up. Again, I don't think this says a lot about Bayern's character or their fortitude -- I just think it says something about the type of team that Barca is (brilliant) and the way they play (relentless), and the fact that Bayern simply haven't seen this before.

Look, this is completely understandable (and I'm really not trying to be condescending or patronizing here): when you come across something you haven't seen before, you tend to freeze -- whether it's a killer job interview or a football match. Bayern froze, and now barring a miracle in 6 days, are out.

2. I loved the Sid Lowe vs. Raphael Honigstein "debate" on the Guardian blogs in the run-up to the game. Sid Lowe (their La Liga guy) thought that Barca would beat Bayern. Honigstein (their Bundesliga guy) also thought Barca would beat Bayern. This was a debate the same way the actual football was a contest.

3. You can't deny the impact of the injuries to Bayern's backline (or maybe you can, who knows?). I don't know enough about Bayern to say for sure if the replaced players Lucio and Lahm would have made a difference, but I do know that Bayern's backline showed an alarming proclivity to pass it to one of Barca's front five in their own half, consequently putting themselves under too much pressure. But in a way, you have to credit the Barca frontline for that (especially Eto'o), whose collective work ethic and chasing down panic-stricken defenders was almost cruel to watch. For all the flash and slick passing, one of the most important elements of Barca's game is getting after the opposition and not letting them settle on the ball. It's constant 90 minutes pressure, and combined with having to chase the ball for large stretches (don't know the stats, but the possession had to be in the order of 65-35), it wreaks havoc with a team's mental and physical well-being.

4. Messi? Yeah. For his performances this year, they should invent a new trophy -- all this World Player of the Year crap doesn't cut it. Give him his own mountain or Pacific island or something. One clear penatly denied, two goals, two set ups, about six or seven slick moves in and around the penalty area, about 17 run-by-the-guy-ostensibly-marking-yous, and about 40,000 migraines caused to Bayern fans.

5. Speaking of that not-given penalty, that has to be one of the worst decisions I've ever seen. Not only was it a CLEAR penalty, but the ref somehow conspired to give Messi a yellow for diving. Pep was INCENSED and managed to get himself thrown out of the dugout for his troubles. I don't know exactly what Uefa's rules are on rescinding yellows upon review, but if ever there was a candidate, this was it.

6. Ok, the neutrals and the Bayern fans are really going to want to smack me for saying this, but I'm getting kind of tired of Barca's habit of taking their foot off the pedal in the second half of blown-open games. Against Malaga, they have six in the first 55 minutes, none in the last 35. Against Lyon they had four in the first half, then added just one right at the end. I suppose it's natural to have a drop-off in intensity when you the know the game's over, but isn't it the manager's job to ensure that players play their hardest no matter what?

7. Rafa Marquez, you beauty. You did nothing all game except pick up a very smart yellow. Well done. For those who missed it, Rafa was going to be suspended for the next game upon receiving a yellow. Seeing as how this tie is basically over barring a miracle, he time-wasted his way to getting one at the end of the game. Brilliant. Now he's suspended for a near-inconsequential game, and will be back for the semis against Chelsea.

8. A big thumbs-up to Yaya Toure and Dani Alves, who kept Ribery and Toni from even threatening, let alone actually doing anything of note. Pockets and all that. By the way, shouldn't Ribery have waited until the final whistle to give his jersey to Henry? Or did he not think he was going to be played in the second half?
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Quick thoughts on the other games:

Damn Chelsea, that was impressive. You know, it's clear that picking a winner in any game involving the English top four is a prognostication minefield. I don't know anyone who would have picked that scoreline before the day started. Well, there you go: that's why the games are played on the pitch, and not on paper.

Most exciting second leg award goes to ManU-Porto, where any of four results (outright wins for either, away goals win, penalties) could be plausible.

Arsenal aren't home free just yet.

UPDATE: Please watch this video of a 5 year-old Messi. By the way, I'm pretty sure one of those vicious tackles at 1:05 and 1:25 was by del Horno.