Bayern Munich’s demolition job on Porto enhances treble dream

Bayern Munich’s 6-1 demolition of Porto on Tuesday for a spot in the Uefa Champions League semi-finals was just what the doctor ordered for an injury-plagued team chasing a treble.

Despite a string of absences, including Arjen Robben, David Alaba, Franck Ribery and Medhi Benatia, and internal turmoil following the sudden departure of their long-time doctor, Bayern were sublime in the first half, scoring five times.

“It is difficult to find the right words to explain this,” Bayern’s Thomas Mueller, whose goal made him Germany’s all-time top scorer in the competition with 27, said. “It could not have worked better than it did.

“A lot was said before the game about us but to play such a first half is absolutely amazing.”

Bayern, with Bastian Schweinsteiger back from injury but left on the bench, struck three times in 13 minutes and added two more late in the first period to blow away the Portuguese and wipe out the 3-1 first-leg deficit.

“Now we can joke about it but it was a huge piece of work. When you’re with your back to the wall then sometimes that is a good thing,” Mueller said.

“There are times in a season when you win something from a game and that was one such game,” he added, referring to the confidence boost from such an important victory.