Bayern Munich the Best Team in Europe?

Real Madrid may have recovered some pride from Tuesday night’s 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund, however the same could not be said for Barcelona, who suffered another comprehensive defeat at home to Bayern Munich on Wednesday.

The 3-0 loss to the Bavarians raised the aggregate score to 7-0, the heaviest score line ever recorded in a Champions League semi final.

Barcelona were a team considered favourites for the trophy, and Bayern Munich dispatched them with ease.

Bayern’s rise should have been more predictable for most.  While Barcelona, Real Madrid and Manchester United are talked about as the favourites normally, it should not be forgotten that this will be Bayern Munich’s third final in four years.  While they may not have won the famous trophy, they should have been given more respect by journalists considering they only lost the last final on penalties.

This year they have moved up another level, reclaiming the Bundesliga title from fellow Champions League finalists Borussia Dortmund in record time, conceding only 14 goals so far, and within range of scoring 100 goals in the campaign (they have 91 with 3 games remaining).

Borussia Dortmund are the deposed Bundesliga champions, having won the title for two seasons in a row before this season.  It appears they have focused more energy on the Champions League this year as this is the first time they have reached the final since winning it back in 1997.

They go into the final as major underdogs against Bayern however due to the teams respective performance in the league this year.

This weekend however, they face Bayern in the league in a dress rehearsal for the Champions League final.

With Bayer already champions and Dortmund clear in second, it may be the case that both teams field a shadow side in order to save their star players for the showpiece event on the 25^th of May at Wembley Stadium in London.

The final should have extra spice as Dortmund player Mario Gotze has already agreed a move to Bayern Munich for next season, while Robert Lewandowski, tormentor of the Real Madrid backline has also been actively courted by the new champions.

Bayern will feel they are due the victory, having come so close in recent years, while Dortmund will want to make the most of their most talented team for a generation before the vultures of Europe, and their direct rivals Bayern, begin picking away at their team’s star players.

With the trophy and the humbling of Barcelona, Bayern Munich would rightly be regarded as the best team in Europe.  With one of Dortmund’s best players heading to Bayern, Dortmund may only be able to have a say in whether Bayern Munich are the best team in Europe this year.