Pep’s homecoming to the sidelines at Barcelona was like déjà vu…for Barcelona.

The Chimera of Camp Nou (Messi, Neymar and Suarez) is an ever-attacking three-headed monster that stretches the defensive barriers of its adversary with dangerously dynamic precision. These three players for Barcelona are world-class in their own rights, and playing against a squad missing several key players, found lots of space to roam and pressure Bayern Munich high up the field without serious consequence in the first leg of their Champions league semifinal in Spain.

In the present moment, Barcelona (led by its offensive monster) showed why they have the most potent attack in the world. Having to deal with the brilliant dribbling and misdirection of Messi, Bayern’s defenders did well until the 77′ when the aforementioned Argentine’s first tally sparked a barrage of goals during the next several minutes. Before then, it was entertaining back-and-forth soccer with Neuer making some sublime saves.

Bayern Munich’s Lewandowski and Müller did well up top, considering they were consistently outnumbered on their counter-attacks. Unfortunately for them, their golden chance at a first half combination for the prized away goal was literally half a diving foot away. There were moments when Bayern Munich found space and exposed vulnerabilities in Barcelona’s defense, but Pep’s Boys (sans Robben, Ribery and Alaba) were unable to command a threat on the flanks that was necessary (and open) for that essential away goal/goals.

While Barcelona was going to find the back of the net, it is worth contemplating how many goals Bayern Munich could have scored if the two missing pieces in their 3-headed offensive monster were healthy? How would that have altered Barcelona’s tactics? How would Barca have performed if it was missing Messi and Neymar?

Curiosity aside, 3-nil was the final score. It was a result well earned for the Catalans.

Barcelona is elated.

Bayern Munich is deflated.