HARKING BACK: Real did to Bayern exactly what the Bavarians had done to Barca last year, when a 7-0 aggregate semi-final win had pundits predicting an era of dominance for the German side. Photo: REUTERS
MUNICH: Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola has admitted he was at fault as the holders suffered an historic 4-0 drubbing in the second leg of the Champions League semi-final to Real Madrid.
The holders suffered their worst European home defeat on Tuesday as two goals each by Madrid's Sergio Ramos and Cristiano Ronaldo saw the Bavarian giants crash out 5-0 on aggregate.
Having previously never lost at home by more than two goals in Europe, Bayern saw their dreams of reaching a third consecutive Champions League final crushed in what chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge dubbed a ‘debacle’.
"We lost heavily and we had only a few chances," admitted Guardiola. "We played badly and that's my responsibility.
"If you don't play well and you defend set pieces badly, that's just how it is. We are playing at the highest level in Europe, and such mistakes are punished right away."
Ramos exploited Bayern's weak set-piece defending with two bullet-headers from corners before Ronaldo grabbed two more, setting a new record of 16 goals in a single European campaign.
But Bundesliga champions Bayern are more concerned about their record defeat as Guardiola said he made a mistake by selecting Bastian Schweinsteiger alongside Toni Kroos in the defensive midfield.
Things improved after the break when Guardiola moved Schweinsteiger into the attacking midfield with Javi Martinez taking his place alongside Kroos.
"I told the players during the break that I had made a mistake," said Guardiola.
"We knew how Real played, so we always wanted to have a lot of possession and players in midfield.
"We couldn't control the defensive midfield in the first half and didn't put in a good performance, because the coach made a mistake.”
Coach doubts wisdom of ‘Tiki-Taka’
Despite Bayern boasting a star-studded squad, Guardiola questioned whether he has the players for to his brand of quick-passing, possession-orientated 'Tiki-Taka' football.
"Of course, we have to consider whether we have the right players to play this style of game," said Guardiola.
Having won the Bundesliga title in his debut season at Bayern with a record seven games to spare, Guardiola's side dropped just four league points in eight months before their league title was confirmed with a 3-1 win at Hertha Berlin on March 25.
Since then, they have dropped eight in just five weeks and the sudden dip in form of key players, plus their undignified Champions League exit, will concern club bosses.
Captain Philipp Lahm admitted the squad would need time to recover.
"This is a big disappointment which we have to analyse,” said Lahm. “But there is no need to speak ill of what we have achieved over the last two years," he said, after Bayern won the treble of European, league and cup titles last season.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ