Bayern, drawn with Valencia, Lille, and BATE Borisov, cruised. Thomas Müller scored. Toni Kroos orchestrated. And a new signing from Athletic Bilbao, Javi Martínez, gave them steel.
The Legacy: The German Crossing.
For the first time ever, .
Bayern destroyed Arsenal 3–1 at the Emirates and finished them 2–0 at home. No drama. Just precision. Dortmund faced Shakhtar Donetsk. A 2–2 draw in Ukraine felt shaky, but a 3–0 win at the Westfalenstadion sent them through. But the real shock came in the other ties. Milan beat Barcelona 2–0 at San Siro —Kevin-Prince Boateng’s volley a symbol of power against possession. But Barça clawed back 4–0 at Camp Nou. Messi was injured, but still, they survived. And then there was Malaga . The Andalusian fairy tale, led by Pellegrini and Isco, knocked out Porto on away goals. They were minutes from the semifinals. But fate had other plans. champions league 12 13
First half: Both teams pressed like demons. Dante and Hummels ruled the air. Reus hit the post. Robben missed a one-on-one with Weidenfeller. 0–0 at half. Bayern, drawn with Valencia, Lille, and BATE Borisov,
“Never again,” Philipp Lahm whispered in the dressing room that night. “We go again. And we finish it.” And a new signing from Athletic Bilbao, Javi