Munich, December 9 (BNA): Barcelona were eliminated from the Champions League after their 3-0 defeat to Bayern Munich on Wednesday, and failed to move past the group stage for the first time since the 2000-01 season.
Thomas Muller and Leroy Sane’s first-half goals put the Germans, who have won all six matches at the top of Group E, firmly in the driving seat before Jamal Musiyala scored the third goal an hour later, Reuters reported.
Barcelona have advanced to at least the Round of 16 every time they have participated in the Champions League since 2001, but will continue to the European second division after finishing third in the group. Benfica qualified for the group runner-up by defeating bottom club Dynamo Kiev.
Barcelona, who did not have a single chance in the second half and scored only two goals in six group matches, lost their last two games in all competitions after new coach Xavi’s first defeat in training against Real Betis on Saturday.
“Bayern was better and better,” Xavi said. “This is the harsh reality that we have to face. I told the players that this is a turning point. Today begins a new era and we have to take Barcelona to where it deserves, which is not the Europa League.
“I’m disappointed because this is our reality. We start from scratch and we have to bring Barcelona back to fight for the Champions League. Now I feel the responsibility. Now we have to go out and win the Europa League.”
Despite claiming top spot in the group, Bayern Munich coach Julian Nagelsmann offered the strongest possible team, refusing to rest the best players after their 3-2 victory over Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga on Saturday.
The German champions have been struggling defensively, keeping just one clean sheet in their last eight matches before Wednesday.
Jordi Alba tested Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer with a long-range shot in the seventh minute and Ousmane Dembele hit the crossbar while the Spaniards pressed high at the start. But that was all that was to come from Barcelona’s attack for the rest of the match as the Germans gradually took control.
A scintillating Muller sprinting left caught Barca for a nap but his reduction came too late for Robert Lewandowski who failed to capitalize on a single meter.
The roles were reversed as Lewandowski hit the ball in the penalty area and Muller headed his 50th Champions League goal in the 34th minute, becoming only the eighth player in the history of the Champions League to reach this number.
Bayern scored again before the end of the first half with a Sani missile from a distance of 25 metres. Barcelona, who needed a win to advance, failed to grab a chance in the second half before Musyala came off in the 62nd minute.