Kai Pfaffenbach/Reuters
Robert Lewandowski, left, scoring one of his four goals in Borussia Dortmund’s 4-1 defeat of Real Madrid.
By JACK BELL
Published: April 24, 2013
Changes in the balance of power in Europe can take centuries, but when it comes to soccer, a revolution happened swiftly, in 180 minutes on the field. For the second consecutive day, a German club not only defeated but also thoroughly outplayed a Spanish one.
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On Tuesday, Bayern Munich perhaps ended Barcelona’s reign as the world’s best team, with a 4-0 victory. On Wednesday, it was Borussia Dortmund — behind a brilliant four-goal performance by the Polish striker Robert Lewandowski — thatvanquished Real Madrid, 4-1.
The victories came in first-leg matches of the semifinals of the UEFA Champions League, the top club competition in the world. The return matches will be played next week in Spain, but unless Barcelona and Real Madrid, the two top teams in their domestic league, can conjure some magic, Dortmund and Munich are poised to play in the first all-German Continental final, in London’s Wembley Stadium on May 25.
There have been only three other single-nation finals: Real Madrid-Valencia in 2000, Milan-Juventus in 2003, and Manchester United-Chelsea in 2008.
Although the final is not yet set, the performance of the two German clubs is the culmination of a changing of the guard in Europe that began with the 2006 World Cup, which Germany hosted, and that has continued with prudent financial management of the clubs.
The teams play before diverse crowds in modern all-seater stadiums. Germany’s youth development system is second to none in the world.
Bayern Munich has won four European titles (1974, ’75, ’76 and 2001), and Dortmund one (1997). Real Madrid still has hope of winning a record 10th, and Barcelona is seeking its fifth — but those hopes are quickly fading.
Collected from :http://www.nytimes.com
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