Bayern Munich are on the verge of their third Champions League final in four years after routing Barcelona 4-0 in Tuesday's semifinal, first leg at the Allianz Arena.
It was the Spanish giants' worst Champions League defeat since the 4-0 loss to Dynamo Kiev in the group stage in 1997.
Germany star Thomas Mueller was Barca's chief tormentor with a goal in each half while striker Mario Gomez and Dutch winger Arjen Robben also netted to give Bayern a huge advantage for the return leg at the Camp Nou on May 1.
Barcelona assistant coach Jordi Roura admitted his team would need a near miracle to now reach their third Champions League final since 2009.
"Miracles are always hard to make real, 4-0 is a huge deficit to make up," said Roura.
"I don't know if anyone has come back from a score like that in the history of the Champions League, but we'll do what we can.
"This is a big defeat which hurts us a lot."
"They thrashed us," admitted Barca defender Gerard Pique. "It is almost impossible, but we have to show face in the return leg."
In contrast, Bayern, who are bidding to become the first German team to win a treble of European as well as domestic league and cup titles, were buoyant.
"That's crazy, hard to believe," said Robben. "They've dominated Europe in the last few years and then we go and win 4-0. The key was we fought and defended together."
But Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes warned the job is only half done.
"Of course, we're all very happy about the win, especially the size of the margin. We were first-class," he said. "But we know we still have 90 minutes ahead of us in Spain.
"We want to enjoy tonight, but nothing more."
An exceptional day for Bayern got off to an unusual start when it was announced they had signed young Germany star Mario Goetze from arch-rivals Borussia Dortmund for a reported 37 million euros ($48.1m).
Then it was reported that, in March, club president Uli Hoeness, caught up in a tax evasion scandal, was arrested and released on bail after a police raid on his home, but he was at the Allianz Arena to witness an incredible night.
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