Ace Thomas tears apart Messi and Co in shock rout

THOMAS MULLER led Bayern to a stunning win over woeful Barcelona to install the Germans as hot favourites for the Champions League title.

In an extraordinary quarterfinal in Lisbon, the Bundesliga champions scored four times in the first 31 minutes and became the first team to hit eight past the Catalans since Sevilla in 1946.

It was a ruthless display reminiscent of Germany’s 7-1 humiliation of Brazil at the 2014 World Cup when Bayern boss Hansi Flick was assistant boss.

Barca defender Gerard Pique pulled no punches and said: “We have hit rock bottom. It cannot be masked any more. The club needs changes of all kinds.”

The Bavarians will face the winners of Manchester City and Lyon on Wednesday but Barca boss Quique Setien will be sacked after finishing the season without a trophy and shredded of all dignity.

Flick’s team have now scored over 150 goals this season – including 39 in nine Champions

CARL ASKEW AT ESTADIO DA LUZ

League games – and have won 19 consecutive matches. Robert Lewandowski also netted his 54th goal of the season.

The last time they beat Barca in the 2013 semi-finals they went on to win the title. Few would bet against the only previous winners now left in the Champions League adding a sixth success on August 23.

A breathtaking start saw the Germans take the lead after only four minutes when Muller exchanged passes with Lewandowksi before netting.

The Catalans were level three minutes later when David Alaba sliced home a Jordi Alba cross and a Messi cross hit the post before Bayern took control.

Serge Gnabry released Ivan Perisic down the Barca left after 21 minutes to slam home before Gnabry added another from a Leon Goretzka dink. Muller