Heynckes delighted with Bayern triumph

Bayern Munich coach Jupp Heynckes hailed his side after their 3-0 win over Barcelona but acknowledged injuries hampered the La Liga giants.

Bayern, who have already won this season’s Bundesliga, moved into the Champions League final after completing a 7-0 aggregate victory on Wednesday.

Their meeting with Borussia Dortmund in the final at Wembley on May 25 will mark a third appearance in the decider from the last four campaigns, after they lost to Inter Milan in 2010 and Chelsea last year.

While Heynckes was surprised by the ease of his side’s win, he praised his players for their performance at Camp Nou and throughout the campaign.

“I was impressed with the high intensity we showed on the pitch for the whole 90 minutes,” he said.

“I have to give massive credit to my players, from the beginning we were convinced that we were able to reach the final.

“For the whole of this season my team has played some outstanding football which is beyond our expectations.

“Everybody in the squad has stuck together whatever has happened, the atmosphere is brilliant and we have a squad that allows us to play in three different competitions – the league, the cup and the Champions League.”

Barcelona were without several first-team regulars due to injury, including the likes of Lionel Messi, who was an unused substituted, as well as Javier Mascherano, Carles Puyol and Sergio Busquets.

Heynckes said the absences helped his side and believes Barcelona are a different team with Messi on the pitch.

“We have to admit that Barcelona had personnel problems and were affected by injuries and absences tonight,” he said.

“Obviously if Messi doesn’t play they are not going to be the same team as they would be with him on the pitch.”

A German team will win the Champions League for the first time since 2000/01, when Bayern beat Valencia in the final.

“I think both Dortmund and ourselves have reached a big goal. For the first time there are two German teams who have qualified for a Champions League final,” Heynckes said.

“After a long wait there will also finally be a German Champions League winner. That is an outstanding achievement for the country.”