Barcelona were left stunned by a ruthless Bayern Munich side in the Champions League semifinal first leg at the Allianz Arena, with the German champions winning 4-0.
If Barca were to produce a comeback against all odds in the second leg at the Camp Nou, then there wouldn't be an adjective in the dictionary big enough to describe the achievement.
Barcelona respond well to adversity - as the second leg against AC Milan in the last-16 will show. They lost 2-0 at the San Siro, only to blow away the Italians in the second leg with a 4-0 victory, courtesy a brace from Lionel Messi.
The same scoreline was also produced against Bayern Munich, in the Champions League quarterfinal first leg in 2009. Another Messi double inspired Barca to a big win that year, before a 1-1 draw in the second leg moved them to the semifinals and eventually the final, where they outclassed Manchester United.
But then, Barcelona were indisputably the best team in the world at that time - near unbeatable. Now, this Barca team are not as intimidating as the 2009 vintage. In fact, it is safe to say the tables might have been turned now, with Bayern being the dominant force and Barcelona the fading wonders.
Bayern have been the best side in Europe this season, and with each passing game they just seem to get better. Even a close look at the squad will show little or no chinks in their armor.
In the first leg, they overran the Barcelona midfield, with Javi Martinez in particular instrumental to Bayern's success. Along with Bastian Schweinsteiger, the Spaniard dictated the pace of the game and style of play, leaving the Barcelona midfield devoid of ideas.
Of course, Barca's screening and calming presence Sergio Busquets was not fully fit in that game and it certainly showed. The Spanish international is again a doubt for the second leg as he tries to overcome a groin strain.
Javier Mascherano, though, is ruled out against Bayern, leaving the Spanish club short on defenders. Adriano, who was suspended for the first leg, is likely to partner Gerard Pique, with Marc Bartra struggling to cope with the physical and technical prowess of the Bavarians. However, with Jordi Alba suspended, Adriano might be needed at fullback, although Eric Abidal is also an option.
One bright spot for Barca, however - and it is a huge bright spot - was the form shown by Messi in the La Liga game against Athletic Bilbao at the weekend. The Argentine came on as a second half substitute and turned the game in Barca's favor, scoring a goal as well as assisting in one.
Messi looked lost out there at the Allianz Arena in the first leg, clearly struggling for fitness. The Barcelona superstar could not go on a single one of those trademark mazy runs, as the Bayern defense was left largely untroubled, with Andres Iniesta and Xavi Hernandez also having disappointing games.
"Bring on the comeback," Messi said, and all three of the big players will need to have the 90 minutes of their lives if they are to garner any hopes of a stunning reversal.
Bayern will be a little worried about the six players -- Philipp Lahm, Javi Martinez, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Dante, Luiz Gustavo and Mario Gomez - who face suspension from the final if they pick up a yellow card, although Bayern manager Jupp Heynckes insisted he would not be taking that into account when naming the final XI for Wednesday.
Heynckes will also have Mario Mandzukic back available after serving his one-match suspension.
If Bayern score even a single goal at the Camp Nou, Barcelona will then need to score at least six to progress. And with the leaky defense that Barca have had in recent games, Bayern finding the back of the net at least once is very much within the realms of possibility.
Every single spirit and cloud needs to align in order for Barcelona to progress into the final at Wembley, and any thoughts of Barca's impending demise can quickly be dispelled; Bayern, though, have been just a cut above the rest this season, and there been no signs that suggest it is about to change.
But then, with Barcelona and the Champions League, you never know....
Expected lineups: Barcelona: Valdes; Alves, Pique, Bartra, Adriano; Xavi, Busquets, Iniesta; Pedro, Messi, Villa.
Bayern Munich: Neuer; Lahm, Boateng, Dante, Alaba; Martinez, Schweinsteiger; Robben, Muller, Ribery; Mandzukic.
Prediction: 3-2 to Barcelona
