Magnficent Bayern Munich maul Porto

Bayern Munich 6 Porto 1 (Bayern win 7-4 on aggregate): Pep Guardiola’s reputation as the world’s greatest football coach, under threat this week amid rumours could be jettisoned by Bayern Munich in the summer, has been spectacularly and emphatically revived by a breathtaking 6-1 victory over Porto in the Champions League that sends his side into the semi-finals and keeps the Treble dream alive.

The Spaniard, who built his aura of invincibility during four remarkable years at Barcelona in which he won the Champions League twice, has appeared a little more fallible recently amid criticism of Bayern’s style of play and a perceived under-achievement on the European stage. But this was a landmark moment in his new career.

Two defeats to Real Madrid in last year’s Champions League, when Bayern were defending the trophy, had this season been compounded by a 3-1 away defeat in Portugal that threatened to send the German side out for a second year in a row.