League semi-final with Bayern Munich. Photograph: David Ramos/Getty images

Newspapers in Madrid on Thursday morning proclaimed the end of the road for Barcelona's imperious era after Bayern Munich completed a ruthless 7-0 aggregate Champions League semi-final victory at the Camp Nou.

"The tie may already have been resolved after the 4-0 thrashing Bayern handed out in the first leg, but the Barça fans at least hoped for a dignified exit from Europe that in the end was only visible on the impressive mosaic held up by supporters before the game began," AS wrote.

"Barça have reached the end of a path that was glorious. They have lived the best era of their history. They will win the league, they will continue to win titles and their current model should remain, but if what happened on Wednesday was a casting to decide who is and who is not worth keeping for the future, the club will need to hire every removal company in Barcelona to help with the clearout."


-culled from guardian.co.uk