Neymar has scored a goal for Barcelona! Assist by L. Messi.
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOAL! NEYMAR MAKES IT 3-0! Messi times a pass in behind the Bayern defence to perfection, with the Brazilian wide man racing into the clear as a result! The former Santos man holds his nerve, before striding into the box and slotting an easy finish underneath the onrushing Neuer! That could be that for Die Roten in this competition!
90' +3
Bayern attempt to switch play out to the right-hand side, but Lewandowski doesn't quite have the legs to prevent the ball from running out. Die Roten just haven't had anything going forward in this contest, with the Polish striker's first-half miss looking all the more glaring now.
90' +1
Suarez manages to win a free kick on the left-hand side, which Xavi whips in, but Bayern clear their lines with ease. We're into the first of four minutes of stoppage time.
90'
Pique launches a long pass down the right-hand side, which is controlled by Suarez, but the Uruguayan forward sets possession back to Rafinha Alcantara. Barca are in absolutely no rush and are happy to go all the way back to their defence if needed.
89'
Marc Bartra enters the game and replaces J. Mascherano.
88'
The Blaugrana freshen things up by replacing Iniesta with Rafinha, with the latter having the chance to play against his brother Thiago. There's no room for brotherly sentiment at the moment, however, with Barca needing to close out a huge result.
87'
Rafinha enters the game and replaces Andrés Iniesta.
86'
Barca are happy to sit back for the remaining minutes, absorbing pressure, with their eye constantly on trying to release the likes of Suarez, Messi and Neymar. Rafinha Alcantara is being readied on the sideline by Enrique.
84'
Bayern just appear to be out of ideas, with Barcelona relentless on the break! Suarez is released down the right-hand side, before blasting a terrible effort high and wide of the near post! Enrique's system is excellent for quick transitions.
82'
Xavi enters the game and replaces I. Rakitić.
We're into the final 10 minutes and Bayern have just fallen apart! Xavi is thrown into the fray by Enrique, with the Spain international surely being introduced as an attempt to control proceedings. Barca are flying now, with Guardiola's men rattled.
Minute
Description
80'
L. Messi has scored a goal for Barcelona! Assist by I. Rakitić.
GOOOOOOOOOOAL! BARCA HAVE DOUBLED THEIR LEAD THROUGH MESSI! Chants of his name echo around Camp Nou, with the home fans making a ludicrous amount of noise now! It's a double salvo! The diminutive forward manages to lift a finish over Neuer, with a recovering defender unable to do anything about it! The Argentine scampers into the box, before scooping a lovely chip into the back of the net!
79'
M. Götze enters the game and replaces T. Müller.
Gotze replaces Muller, with Guardiola choosing to shuffle his pack immediately. Bayern were complaining that Neymar didn't receive a yellow card for simulation moments earlier, but the Camp Nou is bouncing now! Die Roten have it all to do!
77'
L. Messi has scored a goal for Barcelona! Assist by Dani Alves.
GOOOOOOOOOOOAL! MESSI GIVES BARCA THE LEAD! Moments after a penalty claim from Neymar was turned down, the hosts are ahead! Messi lashes an effort goalwards from the periphery of the box, with it squeezing its way beyond Neuer at the near post!
76'
Die Roten are starting to move the ball well, but chances have been decidedly restricted by Barca. The absence of Robben and Ribery is really being felt, with the Bavarian club looking to be unable to create something out of nothing.
74'
Bernat throws himself into a brilliant but risky tackle, with a few players needing to watch their step. The visitors are starting to grow into the contest as it progresses, but a pass directed towards Lewandowski finds its way to ter Stegen.
72'
Bernat breaks down the left, before cutting inside Alves. The Spaniard tees up his compatriot Thiago, but the midfielder sees a low drive deflected into the arms of ter Stegen. Bayern are merely 20 minutes away from a very impressive result at Camp Nou.
70'
Neymar needs to calm down, with the former Santos forward getting in the referee's face. The last thing that Enrique would want, would be for his side to go down to 10 men. Neuer hasn't been anywhere near as busy after the half-time interval.
69'
Neymar gets yellow.
68'
Alonso whips a free-kick delivery in towards the back post, but Busquets is able to flick the ball behind for a Die Roten corner. The set piece is aimed in towards the near upright, but easily cleared. This contest is very delicately poised, with tensions rising. Neymar gets a caution for a mixture of a cynical tackle on Muller and his reaction towards the referee.
66'
Piqué gets yellow.
With less than half an hour left on the clock, we are still awaiting the first goal in this game. Lewandowski attempts to drive at the heart of the Barca defence, but is felled by a terribly timed tackle by Pique. The Spain international gets a yellow card.
64'
Over from Neymar! Rakitic does well to win the ball back high upfield, before shifting possession out to the left-hand side! The Brazilian forward jinks onto his right foot, before curling the ball high and wide of the top corner!
62'
Messi dinks a wonderful through ball into the path of Neymar, but Neuer is alert to the danger and incredibly quick off his line to hoof a clearance away! Muller then attempts to lead the charge for Die Roten, but Mascherano steps out of defence to make a timely interception.
60'
Brilliant play from Neymar! The Brazil international goes on a mazy dribble towards the edge of the penalty area, beating two players, before sees a shot blocked. After a Bayern resurgence at the start of the second half, Barca have started to see more of the ball once again.
59'
Rakitic now blocks off Thiago, with a few fouls creeping into the game in the midfield third. Messi slides a pass into Neymar, before the former Santos man acts as a wall to tee up his Argentine teammate. The diminutive forward lets fly from 25 yards out, but guides a powerful effort straight at Neuer!
57'
Bayern win themselves a corner, but after a flick on, Boateng sees a close-range shot well blocked. Barca attempt to break at pace, but a cynical push from Bernat is enough to stop Messi in his tracks. The former Valencia wing-back gets a yellow card for his trouble.
56'
Juan Bernat gets yellow.
55'
Muller attempts to break in behind the hosts' back four, but the Germany international is caught narrowly offside. Messi is then nearly slipped in down the right-hand channel, but Benatia makes a timely clearance.
53'
Chances have been few and far between from the outset of the second half, with Bayern getting the chance to settle down slightly. Die Roten are really missing Robben, with the Dutchman providing some pace and unpredictability which could have hurt Barca.
52'
M. Benatia gets yellow.
51'
Bayern have managed to get hold of more of the ball in the second half, with the home fans forced to divert their efforts towards whistling at the opposition. Suarez makes a cynical tackle on Alonso in midfield, with the Uruguay international getting his final warning as a result. Next time the referee will go to his book.
49'
Ter Stegen starts a counter attack for the hosts, but it promptly comes to nothing after a misplaced pass in midfield. Bayern have started to win the ball back higher up the pitch, with the Blaugrana being forced deeper as a result. Messi, Neymar and Suarez are still dangerous on the break, mind you.
47'
Alves picks up a yellow card for a cynical tug on Lewandowski, as the Poland international looked to break into the penalty area on the left-hand side. Alonso stands over the dead ball, with the former Liverpool midfielder managing to win himself a corner due to a deflection.
46'
Dani Alves gets yellow.
We are back underway at Camp Nou! Guardiola's return hasn't gone according to plan thus far, with the Blaugrana having much the better of the chances, leaving Bayern to struggle their way towards a valuable away draw. All that can change very quickly, however!
45'
Thiago scampers inside from the left-hand side, but his cheeky pass in search of Lewandowski is cut out. Barca break up the other end, but Suarez sees a speculative effort from the periphery of the 18-yard box easily blocked.
43'
Rakitic attempts to set Suarez on his way, but Bernat comes across well to beat the former Groningen forward in the air! Moments later, Neymar and Suarez combine on the edge of the Bayern penalty box, but the loose ball can't be capitalised upon by the lurking Messi!
41'
A long-range shot from the hosts thuds into the advertising hoardings, with Neuer continuing to face the majority of clear-cut chances. Less than five minutes remain of the first half, with Bayern presumably desperate to hear the whistle.
40'
Messi beats two players, before whipping in a right-footed cross, but Boateng heads clear at the near post! The Argentine forward has been phenomenal in the first half! Neuer is forced into yet another good save, spreading himself excellently to deny Alves at the back upright.
38'
Brilliant play from Lewandowski! The former Lech Poznan striker takes a diagonal ball in his stride, before sprinting to the byline and cutting back a smart cross. Ter Stegen comes out to claim, with Bayern still only having one big chance to their collective name thus far.
36'
Messi dances past two challenges, with Alonso receiving a booking for bringing down the former Newell's Old Boys' striker. The Argentina international tries his luck from the resulting dead-ball opportunity, but curls the ball straight into the arms of Neuer.
35'
Xabi Alonso gets yellow.
34'
Barcelona are perfectly happy to take their time on the ball, with Bayern reluctant to press too high. Messi manages to rob the ball from Bernat and moves it on, before pressing into the penalty area and receiving a pass. Boateng, however, comes across well to deny the Argentine.
32'
Alba manages to squeeze a cross in from the left-hand side, but Benatia heads clear under no real pressure. Bayern then try to break, but Pique slides in brilliantly to break up interplay between Muller and Lewandowski. Die Roten's masked forward isn't having it all his own way, that's for sure.
30'
Wide from Thiago! The Spain international cuts in from the right-hand side, before curling a cross-cum-shot beyond the far post, with ter Stegen comfortable of his angles. The German goalkeeper has been completely untroubled in the opening half hour.
29'
Enrique's men are looking incredibly motivated at the moment, with Bayern struggling to get any kind of foothold in the midfield battle. Bernat scampers down the left-hand side, but the former Valencia man is robbed of possession brilliantly by Alves. It's all Barcelona, with the away team currently looking as though they'd bite someone's hand off for a draw.
27'
Over from Suarez! The former Liverpool striker is picked out by the resulting corner, but can't keep his header down! It spirals over the crossbar, with a goal proving to be elusive at Camp Nou. Messi tries to open play with a diagonal pass, but Neuer is alert to the danger and catches under no pressure.
26'
Thiago jinks his way to the edge of the penalty area, but Mascherano steps out to tackle the former Barcelona midfielder. Busquets releases Alba in behind the Bayern back four, but a cross from the left-hand side is put into touch by Boateng! Messi and Neymar were lurking dangerously! The Blaugrana are playing brilliantly at the moment.
24'
Bayern win themselves a free kick, around 35 yards out from goal, but Alonso's attempted delivery bounces behind for a goal kick. Lewandowski attempts to sprint behind Pique moments later, but a deflection off the latter denies Die Roten's break.
22'
Messi breaks into the penalty area, before chopping onto his left foot and curling a cross-cum-shot beyond the back post! Neuer is just about comfortable enough to let the ball zip wide and out of play for a goal kick! The home fans will be pleased with how their side have started, but Neymar and Suarez should have a goal apiece at this point.
20'
Bayern are now organising themselves with a back four, with Muller pulling out to the right-hand side to provide some additional width. The visitors have a midfield diamond, of sorts, with Barcelona continuing to look good in the opening 20 minutes. A long shot is easily caught by Neuer, with the Germany international having a solid start to the game.
18'
Wide from Lewandowski! Muller breaks down the right-hand side, before cutting back an excellent cross, but his masked strike partner can only pass an awful effort wide of the left-hand post! Chances are being missed with worrying regularity at the moment! It could easily be 2-1 to Barcelona at this point.
17'
Messi beats Bernat with ease, with the Argentina international, Suarez and Neymar having an absolute field day at the moment. Bayern have suffered all of the early pressure, with Lewandowski and Muller seeing very little of the ball.
15'
Suarez dances his way to the right byline, with the Uruguay international cutting back a very inviting cross! Neymar slides in and pokes an attempt goalwards, but the Brazil international's shot bounces off Rafinha and wide! The resulting corner comes to nothing, however.
14'
Schweinsteiger curls a cross in from the left-hand side, with Lewandowski rising well in the penalty area to divert a header wide of the far upright! Barcelona continue to look extremely potent on the break. Rakitic drives down the right-hand side, but a cross from the Croatia international is well blocked.
12'
Benatia slides in physically on Neymar, with the Morocco international definitely letting his man know that he's there. Moments later, Suarez races in behind back the back four and into acres of space, but the former Ajax striker is denied in a one-on-one situation by Neuer! The Germany international made himself very big indeed!
10'
Iniesta tries down the left-hand side, before Messi is found in a more central area. The Argentine forward attempts to clip a ball in behind for Neymar to chase, but his pass is easily intercepted. The opening minutes have been rather subdued, but Messi and Suarez look to be dangerous on the break.
8'
Mistake from Pique! Muller swings in a cross from the right-hand side, with the former Man United defender miscontrolling in terrible circumstances! Lewandowski picks up the loose ball, but can't make anything happen, with Muller eventually seeing a shot blocked. Moments later, the hosts break, but Suarez sees a tame shot roll into Neuer's grasp.
6'
At the moment, Rafinha is playing on the left-hand side of a back three, with Thiago spending time out on the right flank as a wide midfielder. Guardiola's personnel have the potential to mix it up tactically throughout, with Die Roten unlikely to keep the same system for the entire 90 minutes.
4'
Die Roten are looking very fluid in the opening stages, with Thiago being dragged out to the right-hand side occasionally in search of the ball. Suarez races into the box, before attempting to gain control of a loose ball, but Boateng follows the Uruguay international all the way! Neuer collects, with the Barca forward claiming contact and a penalty!
2'
The away side are starting with a back four, with Bayern immediately coming under pressure. A lofted ball over the top from Busquets finds the run of Neymar, but Benatia covers across well being Boateng to defuse the danger. Camp Nou is making plenty of noise!
1'
We are underway in the first half! The home side are in their customary burgundy and blue, with Bayern in a changed away strip of all white. The Champions League anthem rings out in the evening air, with Guardiola nipping onto his away bench without anything in the way of ceremony. This should be a cracker!
Hello and welcome to live coverage of tonight's Champions League semi-final first leg in Catalonia! It is Pep Guardiola's return to Camp Nou, as Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich travel across Europe to face Luis Enrique's in-form Barcelona. Die Roten arrive with some important players on the treatment table, with defeats against Bayer Leverkusen and, albeit on penalties, Borussia Dortmund in their last two outings.
I'm Simon Harrison and I will be keeping you up to date with all of the action developing at Camp Nou, as the home fans welcome back their former coach who enjoyed such unprecedented success with the Blaugrana many moons ago. Bayern did manage to wrap up another German top-flight title a fortnight ago, but the Bavarians giants have a completely different task on their hands this evening. The hosts have won their last seven home matches, with two losses at the hands of Celta Vigo and Malaga the only upsets to spoil a wonderful season on familiar turf.
Bayern could line up with either a three-man defence and five players in midfield, or with a back four and a midfield diamond. A lot will depend on the position of Rafinha, with the Brazilian right-back ready to deployed either at full-back, or on the left-hand side of a back three. Guardiola is known to be a tinkerman, but there can be no doubts about how his opponent will line up. It will be the usual 4-3-3 for the Blaugrana tonight.
While Bayern have only scored twice in their last two outings in cup and league fixtures, Barca have managed to rack up a stunning 14 goals. Enrique's men will be high on confidence after absolutely dismantling both Getafe and Cordoba in recent weeks, regardless of their opponents' league positions. Fortunately for Guardiola, the visitors have been able to welcome back a couple of additional faces from injury over the past couple of weeks.
TEAM NEWS: Marc-Andre ter Stegen continues as Barca's cup goalkeeper, with no other selection surprises for the home side. Jeremy Mathieu misses out due to an Achilles problem, with the Frenchman replaced at the heart of the hosts' defence by the capable Javier Mascherano. After being passed fit in recent weeks, Thomas Vermaelen is included on the bench. Ivan Rakitic and Andres Iniesta are chosen to sit ahead of Sergio Busquets in midfield, while the usual trio of Lionel Messi, Neymar Junior and Luis Suarez start up top.
Barcelona starting line-up (4-3-3): ter Stegen; Dani Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Jordi Alba; Rakitic, Busquets, Iniesta; Messi, Suarez, Neymar.
Barcelona substitutes: Xavi, Pedro, Rafinha Alcantara, Bravo, Bartra, Adriano, Vermaelen.
TEAM NEWS: Arjen Robben, Franck Ribery, David Alaba and Holger Badstuber miss out due to injury for the away side. Javi Martinez is fit enough to feature on the bench, after an hour's run out versus Leverkusen last weekend. Mehdi Benatia is preferred to Dante in defence, with Philipp Lahm being asked to do a job on the right-hand side of midfield. Thiago Alcantara will be tasked with the role of supporting Thomas Muller and Roberto Lewandowski, against his former employers. The latter is forced to play with a protective mask, after fracturing facial bones and suffering a concussion in a collision with Dortmund goalkeeper Mitchell Langerak.
'We are ready' is the slogan of the home fans' choreography, with both teams streaming out of the tunnel and onto the Camp Nou turf! It's a full house, as would be expected, with this contest being undisputedly the biggest of the football season thus far!
HALF TIME! We reach the interval at Camp Nou without a goal, despite Neymar, Suarez, Alves and Lewandowski having fantastic opportunities to take the lead! Neuer has had to be at his best in the Bayern net, with Barcelona and Messi having much the better of the opening 45 minutes! Don't go anywhere, as we will be back amongst the action before long! There's still everything to play for!
FULL TIME! Barcelona wrap up the perfect evening in Camp Nou with a 3-0 victory over Bayern in the Champions League semi-final stage! Goals from Messi and Neymar make things much simpler for the Blaugrana heading into next week's tie, with an injury-ravaged Die Roten outfit looking to be all but out of the competition! What a game! That's all that we have time for from Catalonia, I've been Simon Harrison and I hope to see you again next time!
Commentary
More…