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Bayern Munich made a grand statement in the Champions League as they hammered Barcelona 8-2 to book their semi-final place in remarkable fashion.

Lionel Messi and his team-mates were swept aside by the dominant Bundesliga champions in a chaotic first half, with Philippe Coutinho then coming on to deal further blows to his parent club in the closing stages.

Thomas Muller's sublime strike got things started and, although David Alaba's own goal drew Barca level, Ivan Perisic and Serge Gnabry had Bayern 3-1 up by the 27th minute.

Muller's second piled further misery on Barca – who conceded four goals in the first half of a Champions League match for the first time – and while Luis Suarez responded after the break, Bayern had more to give.

Joshua Kimmich restored a three-goal cushion with a goal set up by the brilliance of Alphonso Davies, before Coutinho set up Robert Lewandowski and helped himself to a double within the space of seven minutes to compound the misery of the club that owns him.

Gerard Pique admitted that Barcelona require wholesale changes to avoid future humiliations like that suffered at the hands of Bayern Munich - even if it means his own days at the club are numbered. 

The highly anticipated Champions League quarter final between two of Europe's biggest clubs turned into a procession for Bayern, who waltzed to an 8-2 thrashing over the hapless Blaugrana. 

Thomas Muller and Philippe Coutinho both netted twice, the latter scoring two late goals against his parent club, while Ivan Perisic, Serge Gnabry, Joshua Kimmich and Robert Lewandowski also made the scoresheet for the Bundesliga champions. 

Only Luis Suarez in turn managed to break through the Bayern defence, with Barca's other goal coming courtesy of a freak mistake by David Alaba in turning Jordi Alba's cross past his own goalkeeper. 

Pique did not mince his words after the final whistle as he called on Barcelona to make tough decisions following their embarrassing defeat.

“Shame is the word. You can't play like that, you can't play in Europe like that," the defender fired to Movistar after the game in Lisbon's Estadio da Luz.

"It is neither the first, nor the second, nor the third time. It's very hard, we all have to reflect.

"The club needs changes and I'm not talking about the coach, about the players. I don't want to point at anyone. Structurally we needs changes of all kinds, because it is neither the first, nor the second nor the third time.

"The first one to volunteer will be me, if new blood has to come in and change this dynamic I will be the first to go, to step aside.

"Now we have hit rock-bottom. I think we all have to look and reflect internally and decide what is best for Barca, which is the most important thing."

Friday's defeat draws the curtain on a forgettable season at Camp Nou, the first in which Barca have failed to win at least one piece of silverware since the final campaign prior to Pep Guardiola's arrival in 2008. 

The Catalans finished distant runners-up to Real Madrid in La Liga and also failed to retain the Supercopa, which was won in its new format by the Merengue after Barca went out to Atletico Madrid in the semi-final stage.

Bayern Munich became the first team to score eight goals in a Champions League knockout match with their 8-2 demolition of Barcelona on Friday. 

That wasn't the only record the Bavarians set on an incredible night in Lisbon, with Hansi Flick's men cruising past the Catalans and into the Champions League semi-final. 

Of course, Bayern weren't the only side who set records on the night, with the historic result also condemning Barca to some humiliating marks, including one that saw them reach a 74-year low.

After winning the Bundesliga and DFB Pokal this season, Bayern will take some stopping if they are to be denied a treble. 

Thomas Muller and Philippe Coutinho each scored a brace on the night, with further goals coming from Ivan Perisic, Joshua Kimmich, Robert Lewandowski and Serge Gnabry. 

Lewandowski, the Champions League's top scorer this season, became the first player to score in eight or more consecutive Champions League matches since Cristiano Ronaldo in April 2018 (11 games) when he netted in the second half. 

It was the 50th Champions League goal for Bayern Munich in Lewandowski's 60th appearance for them in the competition. Only Ronaldo has reached that mark in fewer games for a single side (50 appearances for Real Madrid).

For Flick, the result continued a memorable debut season in charge after the 55-year-old took over from the sacked Niko Kovac in November 2019. 

He has become only the third manager in Champions League history to win his first six matches in charge, after Fabio Capello in 1992-93 and Luis Fernandez in 1994-95.

And the Bayern boss has a record all to himself as well, with no manager having seen his side score as many goals as their 26 in his first six Champions League games in charge.

The Bavarians are on an incredible run of form under Flick, having won their last 19 matches in all competitions, a record run in German top-flight football in all competitions.

Bayern will now move on to the semi-final, where they will face either Manchester City or Lyon. It will be the team's 12th Champions League semi-final – only Real Madrid with 13 have reached that stage more times.

Bayern Munich's 8-2 victory over Barcelona in the Uefa Champions League quarter-final has got football enthusiasts across Africa talking on social media.

Four goals in each of the Friday's encounter saw Barcelona bow to their heaviest defeat in the European competition.

David Alaba's own goal and Luis Saurez's 57th-minute strike was not enough for Quique Setien's men as Thomas Muller and second-half substitute Philippe Coutinho both found the target twice while Ivan Perisic, Serge Gnabry, Joshua Kimmich, Rober Lewandowski scored a goal each for the Bundesliga champions.

The triumph propelled Bayern Munich to the semi-final stage and would face the winner between Manchester City and Lyon, however, the margin of goals conceded by Barcelona - five-time Champions League winners - left fans embarrassed.

For the first time in 15 years, both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo will miss out on the Champions League semi-final. 

Messi's Barcelona side were eliminated on Friday in humiliating fashion,  falling to Bayern Munich 8-2 in the quarter-final in Lisbon. 

That result followed another disappointing Champions League exit for Ronaldo and Juventus, who were bounced by Lyon last week in the round of 16.

Those two results mean that for the first time since the 2004-05 Champions League – a competition that ended with Liverpool's memorable comeback win in the final over AC Milan – neither Messi nor Ronaldo have reached the final four. 

It also meant that for the first time since the 2006-07 Champions League, there will be no Spanish sides in the semi-finals. Ronaldo reached the last four that year as a member of Manchester United, who fell to eventual champions AC Milan in the semi-final. 

This year could be just a blip, or it could mark the beginning of the end of an era that has seen Messi and Ronaldo establish their dominance of European club football.

Messi has taken home six Ballons d'Or while Ronaldo has five, with Luka Modric in 2018 the only player to have won the award other than Messi or Ronaldo since 2008.

The Argentina superstar has also won the Champions League on four occasions, though he has not won the competition since the 2014-15 edition. 

Messi has been bested in that particular category by Ronaldo, who has won the Champions League five times: once with Manchester United and four times with Real Madrid. 

The pair's dominance has led to plenty of debate over who is superior, with Messi's former Barcelona team-mate Arda Turan recently underlining why he prefers the Argentina man over the Portuguese.

"Messi is present in every moment of football. He can dictate the game in every aspect," Turan told  beIN Sports Turkey.

"There's nothing bad to say about Ronaldo but he's a goalscorer, albeit a very special one. Messi does everything in this game. He does things you can't even imagine to do. His intelligence, his vision, his passing are all much different. And every person I have talked to about this agrees with me.

"Except the people who are close to Ronaldo, his team-mates, who say it's Ronaldo as they answer politically. Ronaldo is my friend and it's not my place to question his quality. But I think Messi is better."

Joshua Kimmich has sent a warning to the remaining teams in the Champions League, insisting Bayern are 'not done yet' after their 'brutal' 8-2 thrashing of Barcelona in the competition's quarter-finals.

The midfielder was among the scorers as the Germans embarrassed their Spanish opposition at the Estadio da Luz on Friday night to move into a semi-final against either Manchester City or Lyon.

Former Blaugrana star Philippe Coutinho scored a double, as did Thomas Muller, with single strikes from Ivan Perisic, Serge Gnabry and Robert Lewandowski.

When asked about the nature of Bayern's performance, Kimmich said to Sky Sports: "Brutal. It’s hard to comprehend beating Barcelona 8-2.

"We were so focused from the first minute, we wanted to get forward with intent. An incredible result in the end, but we’re not done yet."

Muller, who opened the scoring in the fourth minute and hit the fourth goal well before half-time, struggled to elucidate why Bayern were so dominant in the match.

The German World Cup winner said it was important for the team to focus on their match because the performance against Barcelona won't count for anything when the ball is kicked off.

"It's tough to explain. I think in this moment our team is in incredible shape," Muller said to BT Sport.

"Thanks for the man of match trophy - maybe we have 12 to 15 players who deserve it. We worked so hard and have this intensity. It's tough to beat us. It was so much fun today.

"For our style of players it doesn't matter about the names of players we are facing. When someone presses and dribbles, it's not a problem. Then we catch the ball and have so much talent in the offensive line.

"We feel good, but now we have to be quiet and regenerate.

"This is a big statement but the next game we start at 0-0. The statement doesn't matter. The other teams will watch our game and they can be impressed or not. We start at 0-0 and have to win the next game.

"Today we have to be very happy. After we wake up and answer the messages on the phone then we have to focus.

"I know about these tournament situations. Most of the time after the big wins (he played in the 7-1 win over Brazil at the 2014 World Cup) it's difficult."

Manchester City and Lyon will play on Saturday evening to determine which team will face the Bavarians in the Champions League semi final.

The other semi will be contested between French giants PSG and German underdogs Leipzig.

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has indicated that there will be changes at the club after Friday night's humiliating 8-2 defeat at the hands of Bayern Munich. 

Bayern entered the Champions League quarter-final in Lisbon as the favourites, but few could have predicted the thrashing they would dish out to the Catalans.

Thomas Muller and Philippe Coutinho each scored a brace on the night, with further goals coming from Ivan Perisic, Joshua Kimmich, Robert Lewandowski and Serge Gnabry. 

The result meant Barcelona ended the 2019-20 season without winning any trophies, which will not go down well with the club's fans or leadership. 

Bartomeu hinted at changes after watching his team be thrashed, saying that some decisions had even been made before the game.  

“It has been a very, very tough night. I am sorry for the Barca fans and members, for the players … For everyone,"  Bartomeu told Movistar+. "We were not the club that we represent, I am so sorry.”

“There are some decisions that we had already made, and others that we will make over the next few days. Announcements will be made from next week, we need to make decisions after things have calmed down.

"Today is a day for reflection. Tomorrow we will try to raise our fans’ spirits following such a heavy defeat.

“It was a devastating result. I congratulate Bayern, they played a great game and deserved to go to the semi-finals. We were not up to the occasion, and we can only apologise to the members and fans.”

One of those most likely to see their time at Barcelona end is head coach Quique Setien, who took over from Ernesto Valverde in January.

Setien is widely expected to be sacked imminently, and Bartomeu did little to shut down that speculation.  

"I prefer not to say anything about the coach," Bartomeu said. "Many decisions were already made before playing the Champions League, but today is not the day [to talk about them]."

Another name who could be on the way out is director of football Eric Abidal, who will reportedly be replaced two years after taking the role. 

Bartomeu himself could see his position called into question, as Barcelona prepare to hold presidential elections next year.

With Lionel Messi yet to sign a contract extension, he could force Bartomeu's hand as the Argentine continues to be dissatisfied with the state of affairs at the club.

Benfica midfielder Adel Taarabt thinks Inter Milan new signing Achraf Hakimi will need to work on the defensive part of his game in the Serie A.

Hakimi moved to Italy on a permanent deal from Real Madrid in July, following the conclusion of his two-year loan with Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga.

The 21-year-old proved his versatility in Germany during his temporary stint and doubled his defensive roles with attacking responsibilities.

During the 2019-20 campaign, Hakimi returned nine goals and 10 assists for Dortmund in all competitions.

Ahead of his new adventure in Italy, Taarabt praised Hakimi as the fastest player he’s ever seen.

“He is a great player, he is a young player. I have never seen a fast player like him,” Taarabt told Sky Sport Italia.

“In Italy he will have to learn to defend, not it's what he likes most, but on the offensive level he can bring a lot to Inter.”

Six years ago, Taarabt joined AC Milan on a six-month loan from QPR for the second half of the 2012-13 campaign.

The 31-year-old made his Uefa Champions League debut with the Rossoneri and also scored four goals in 14 Serie A games.

He expressed his and also regrets after missing out on a return to the San Siro as he spent the 2017-18 loan at Genoa.

“When I think of Italy, I think of Milan,” he said. “It’s a top club where I had the opportunity to play with great players like Kaka.

“It was a pleasure, I enjoyed myself and I think I did well. I was very sorry not to continue my adventure with the Rossoneri because my head was still there.

“If Seedorf had stayed, the story might have been different because they brought in Inzaghi, who had a different idea of football.

“In the following years, I didn’t have the opportunity to come back, even if I would have liked to.”

Bayern star Leon Goretzka says it was fun to take down Lionel Messi and co. during the extraordinary 8-2 humiliation of Barcelona in the Champions League quarter-finals.

The Bundesliga giants humiliated the Spanish giants and their Argentine star at the Estadio da Luz on Friday evening, with former Barca playmaker Philippe Coutinho grabbing a double, as did Thomas Muller.

There were also single goals to Ivan Perisic, Serge Gnabry, Joshua Kimmich and Robert Lewandowski, with Bayern now meeting the winner of Manchester City and Lyon in the last four of the competition.

Post-match, Goretzka was asked if it hurt to embarrass a possible childhood idol such as Messi, to which he replied: "No, it didn’t hurt, it was fun actually."

With Bayern now favourites to win the competition, Goretzka was pleased by their performance but insisted the team has to stay focused to reach the ultimate goal.

"It’s difficult to put this into words so soon after the game. I think it will take a couple of days to process this result," Goretzka told Sky Sports.

"We have so much confidence, but as we just said in the changing room we've taken the first of three steps."

Muller, who scored the opening goal of the game in the fourth minute, struggled to explain why Bayern were so dominant in the match.

But he insisted the team were only thinking about their next match when the result against Barca means nothing.

"It's tough to explain. I think in this moment our team is in incredible shape," Muller said to BT Sport.

"Thanks for the man of match trophy - maybe we have 12 to 15 players who deserve it. We worked so hard and have this intensity. It's tough to beat us. It was so much fun today.

"For our style of players it doesn't matter about the names of players we are facing. When someone presses and dribbles, it's not a problem. Then we catch the ball and have so much talent in the offensive line.

"We feel good, but now we have to be quiet and regenerate.

"This is a big statement but the next game we start at 0-0. The statement doesn't matter. The other teams will watch our game and they can be impressed or not. We start at 0-0 and have to win the next game.

"Today we have to be very happy. After we wake up and answer the messages on the phone then we have to focus.

"I know about these tournament situations. Most of the time after the big wins (he played in the 7-1 win over Brazil at the 2014 World Cup) it's difficult."

The Government has on Friday, August 14 held a consultative meeting with the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (Fufa) and the National Council of Sports regarding the resumption of football and sports in Uganda.

Football and sporting activities, in general, were suspended in the East Africa nation in March owing to the Covid-19 outbreak. It is the reason why Fufa went on to annul the Ugandan Premier League and crown Vipers SC as the champions.

A total of 25 rounds, which relates to 80% of matches, had been played by the time and per Fufa rules, it was in order to crown the Venoms, who were also given the right to represent the country in the Caf Champions League, while KCCA FC were given the mandate to play in the Caf Confederation Cup.

"Fufa, National Council of Sports and Government of the Republic of Uganda today held another meeting at the Office of the Prime Minister in regard to the resumption of football and sports in general," the Federation posted on their official Facebook page.

"There's hope that the green light will come soon."

Fufa president Moses Magogo and his deputy Decolas Kizza were present in the meeting.

The Federation has also confirmed promotional play-off games will be played for the rightful teams to play in their respective leagues.

Special permission has also been made for the women's U17 team to start preparations for the World Cup qualifying match against Cameroon.

"Our immediate focus is to see that the promotional playoff games across the different competitions are played to a conclusion," Magogo said.

"We also asked for permission to have the Uganda U17 Girls' national team enter a residential camp in preparation for the World Cup qualifier games against Cameroon."  

Uganda made some structural changes in women's football to help the country grow and for ladies to get more involved in the game.

Despite the improvements already made, the administrator has challenged clubs to try and improve further.

"As Fufa, we have always thought that such engagements help us to understand our successes and challenges better," Magogo had said in an earlier interview. 

"We can agree to disagree here but even when Fufa or clubs have different opinions about an issue, when we meet, a solution is always found. 

"We are proud of the journey moved so far since the start of regular club football for Women Football in 2015. I can say we have registered a number of successful stories ranging from an increase in the number of girls taking part, the quality of football displayed to our national teams. 

"But at the moment we are saying can we engage another gear?"

Jan Vertonghen has joined Benfica on a free transfer after his contract ended at Tottenham.

The Belgium international centre back has penned a three-year deal with the Portuguese giants, with a contract that will see him through until 2023.

Vertonghen, who moves to Lisbon alongside Brazilian international Everton and ex-Freiburg forward Luca Waldschmidt and will play under returning manager Jorge Jesus in the 2020-21 campaign, will wear the No. 5 as he did when he was playing in north London.

The 33-year-old confirmed his Tottenham exit last month following eight seasons with the club. He made over 300 appearances for the Premier League side.

Vertonghen leaves the London club on good terms, with the Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho saying Vertonghen is among the best players he has ever worked with and wished the defender well. 

"He will be a great man to play in the Portuguese League. A big professional, a silent leader, an example in a work group," Mourinho told Portuguese newspaper Record. "Fortunately I've met many throughout my career, but Jan is certainly among the best.  

"As a player, everyone knows him and the Benfica coach, as well as his structure, certainly analysed everything he can bring to the team.  

"I wish him to be very happy in my country. At Spurs we'll all be behind a person who is very dear to us."

Vertonghen, who has been capped 118 times by Belgium, failed to win a major trophy with Tottenham but did play a major part as they established themselves as Champions League regulars under Mauricio Pochettino having joined from Ajax in summer 2012 for £11.25 million (€12.5m).

He played the full 90 minutes of the 2019 Champions League final as Spurs lost 2-0 to Liverpool, however hamstring injuries frustrated the latter part of his career in England and he became less of a first team fixture in the 2019-20 campaign.

Vertonghen previously said he had an idea of where his next club would be, following his exit from Tottenham.

He told talkSPORT in July: “That will be out probably sooner rather than later. I’m considering the options and making a good choice.

“Obviously the window now is longer than it was last year, so we’ve got a bit of time to assess the best option. It will all depend on the options. I’ve got something in my head and we’ll see if that will come around or not.”

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has said that departing club legend David Silva will eventually get the tribute from City's fans that he deserves. 

After 10 seasons with City, Silva will leave the club at the end of the current campaign, with the 34-year-old widely expected to join Lazio.

Silva won 14 trophies during his spell with the club including four Premier League titles, cementing his status as one of City's all-time greats.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, however, Silva was unable to receive a proper farewell from City supporters, with all of the club's games being played behind closed doors since football's return. 

Ahead of his side's Champions League quarter-final with Lyon, Guardiola said that Silva is ready to play a part against the Ligue 1 outfit and also indicated that the Spaniard would receive a proper tribute from the Etihad faithful when they are allowed to return to the stands. 

"Absolutely he is ready. The way he has trained and the mentality in his training, I am really impressed about his personality," Guardiola said ahead of the game in Lisbon.

"All of us know it was a pity that his last games in the Etihad were without people but he’ll be back. We have said it many times, he will be back – when the crowd and the people are back in the stadium – and he will get what he deserves."

Guardiola also reiterated that Silva decided long ago that 2019-20 would be his final season at City, saying that any effort convincing him to stay would be futile. 

"He decided from the beginning of the season to move on," Guardiola said. "It’s like I said a couple of days ago – he has stayed one decade here and now it is time for a new experience."

Silva has made 434 appearances in his time with City, scoring 77 goals while providing 93 Premier League assists, the most in club history.

Following his final Premier League game with the club, Silva admitted that he was emotional thinking about leaving Manchester.

“It was emotional because they are amazing people," he told BBC Sport. "I have been working for them for 10 years and I have a good relationship with them. I love them and I am going to miss all of them.

“Of course [I am proud of my Manchester City career]. To win so many titles and the way we won it. I am a lucky guy, I have had a lot of nice moments, and this one as well, the last one. I will miss everything – even the weather as well.”

Former Cameroon defender Rigobert Song said the proudest achievement of his career is playing for his country in four Fifa World Cup tournaments.

The former Liverpool and Trabzonspor centre-back, who made his international debut at the age of 17 against Mexico in September 1993, represented the Indomitable Lions at the 1994, 1998, 2002 and 2010 editions of the global competition.

With 137 appearances on the international scene, Song is still the most capped player in Cameroon history and he helped the Central African nation win two Africa Cup of Nations titles in 2000 and 2002.

“I’m beyond proud of the fact that I took part in four World Cups,” Song told Fifa website.

“I know many reputable players who would give everything to play just one. For me, the World Cup is the biggest competition in football. I’m proud to have represented my country at these four World Cups.

“It’s thanks to the World Cup that I was able to play professionally in Europe and ultimately have the career for which I am known.”

Cameroon are the only African nation that has qualified for the World Cup seven times but they face an uphill challenge in their quest for an eighth appearance in Qatar 2022.

They have been paired against Ivory Coast, Mozambique and Malawi in Group D of the second qualifying round.

And Song, who is presently in charge of the Cameroon U23 team, believes Antonio Conceicao’s men will give everything as only one team is expected to advance to the third qualifying round.

“Football has evolved a lot and, even among the lower-ranked teams, there is less disparity,” he said.

“The notion of small footballing nations no longer exists. Every team now aspires to play at a World Cup and will do anything to get there. Cameroon must be at the World Cup.

“I have no doubt that the Indomitable Lions will do whatever it takes to make it happen. However, it is difficult and getting through to the third round is even harder, but that’s the price of admission for a chance to go to the World Cup.

“We're going to have to sweat blood and tears and fight to qualify. The Indomitable Lions have a good team and I believe they’ll be in Qatar in 2022.”

Mamelodi Sundowns came back to hold Highlands Park to a 1-1 draw in a lively PSL match which was played at Dobsonville Stadium on Friday evening. 

Coach Owen Da Gama were hoping to resume their league campaign with a win having succumbed to a 2-0 defeat to SuperSport United in their last match in the competition in March.

Peter Shalulile spearheaded the Lions of the North's attack, while Tapuwa Kapini made his first league appearance of the season in the hosts' goal-posts. 

Meanwhile, Pitso Mosimane's side was targeting a victory in order to close the gap on league log leaders Kaizer Chiefs after drawing 0-0 with Orlando Pirates in midweek.

Gaston Sirino made his return to the starting line-up after serving his two-match suspension, but Masandawana were without Mosa Lebusa, who picked up an injury against Pirates.

Shalulile handed Highlands Park the perfect start as he grabbed an early goal after the Sundowns defence had failed to clear the ball away from danger.

The Namibia international turned well inside the box, before beating Denis Onyango in the visitors' goal to make it 1-0 to Highlands Park six minutes into the match.

Sundowns took control of the match after a short water break and they began creating chances as Kapini was forced to parry Themba Zwane's long-range shot over the crossbar.

The Zimbabwean shot-stopper was then beaten in the 40th minute when Sphelele Mkhulise headed home Sirino's delightful cross to make it 1-1. 

It was end-to-end stuff towards the half-time break as Motjeka Madisha's header was saved by Kapini, before Onyango pulled off a fine low save from Lindokuhle Mbatha's effort.

The score was 1-1 at the interval following a first half which saw Shalulile net his 13th goal of the season - one behind the league's top scorer Frank Mhango of Orlando Pirates.
 
Sundowns struggled to create goalscoring chances after the restart with the Lions of the North sitting deep, while looking to launch quick counter-attacks. 

Mosimane decided to introduce two attack-minded youngsters Keletso Makgalwa and Promise Mkhuma, who was making his professional debut.

Mkhuma nearly made an immediate impact when he controlled the ball well, before firing wide of the target after the Lions of the North's defence was exposed. 

Mokete Mogaila, who is a speedy winger, was introduced by Da Gama as the hosts looked to snatch a late winning goal against reigning PSL champions.

However, the 25-year-old player was denied twice by Onyango, who made two great saves to ensure that the match ended in a 1-1 draw on the night.

As a result, Highlands Park moved up to the seventh spot on the league standings, while Sundowns remained second on the log - three points behind leaders, Chiefs.

Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti has tested positive for coronavirus, the club confirmed on Friday. 

Umtiti, 26, is currently recovering from his latest injury setback after once more suffering discomfort in his left knee, which has kept him out of action since July. 

And he has now joined fellow defender Jean-Clair Todibo in catching the virus, although without showing any symptoms or health problems. 

"After the tests carried out on Thursday first-team player Samuel Umtiti has tested positive for Covid-19," Barcelona revealed in a statement released on the club's official website on Friday. 

"The affected person is asymptomatic, is in good health and is in isolation at home. 

"The club has informed the relevant sporting and health authorities. It has also traced all the people that have been in contact with the player in order to carry out tests."

Umtiti's injuries prevented him from joining up with the rest of the Barcelona squad in Lisbon ahead of Friday's Champions League quarter-final clash against Bayern, for which he had already been ruled out. 

He has thus had no contact with his colleagues, who all returned negative results in the testing performed prior to the game. 

The France international, part of the winning 2018 World Cup squad in Russia, has endured a nightmare run of injuries over the past two seasons, which have severely restricted his availability for selection. 

Umtiti played just 11 Liga games in 2019-20, down from 14 the previous season, and has been linked with a move away from Camp Nou in recent months. Tottenham, who on Friday confirmed the exit of Jan Vertonghen to Benfica, are one of the clubs reportedly interested in his services.

Everton and West Ham have also seen their names come up in connection with the defender, whose injury woes have seen him drop down in the Barca pecking order as Clement Lenglet has become the first-choice partner to Gerard Pique.

Umtiti has made a total of 114 appearances in all competitions for Barcelona since moving from Lyon in the summer of 2016, lifting six trophies to date during his time at the club, including two Liga triumphs.

Pep Guardiola says Manchester City’s victory over record 13-time Champions League winners Real Madrid doesn’t make them the favourites and insists “everything can happen”.

City face Lyon, who finished seventh in Ligue 1 last season, in the quarter-finals in Lisbon as they aim to win the European trophy for the first time in the club’s history.

Both Paris St-Germain and RB Leipzig have already secured their places in the last-four with neither club winning the Champions League before, increasing the chances that there could be a new name on the trophy.

“Of course it was so important to beat the kings of this competition, but when you play this competition - just one game, everything can happen,” Guardiola said ahead of Saturday’s clash.

“I think in this competition there are no favourites."

A semi-final clash with either Barcelona or Bayern Munich will be City’s reward if they can get past the French side but Guardiola believes that the mini-tournament format gives a huge opportunity for a new club to succeed.

“The elite clubs will always be there - Barcelona, Madrid, Bayern Munich, all the big clubs in England and France always will be there,” he added.

“But we need this kind of competition and for just one game, everything can happen. Absolutely everything can happen.

“It's difficult to beat the big teams away from home but in one game, everything can happen. And this is why we want to try.”

Despite the openness of the tournament, Guardiola insists that he is not under any extra pressure to deliver the trophy that the club is desperate to win.

“Every year we have the same question - the pressure is always there and we will try to do our best like the other teams,” he said.

“We saw how tight it was in the last two games, Atalanta and PSG and Atletico against Leipzig, so tomorrow will be no exception.

“It’s a final so it’s one-off game. We’ll try to avoid mistakes which will punish us.”

City have been in a secure bubble in a luxury hotel just outside Lisbon for the past five days as they get ready to for Lyon, who knocked out Juventus in the previous round.

Preparations have been similar to those used by national teams ahead of the World Cup and Guardiola admits it has been an unusual experience.

“It's different because when you play normally you play the first game with one eye on the second leg,” he said.

“In England, when you play in the FA Cup or the Carabao Cup it is just one game. Every game is a final.

“Our players are used to these games. There is no second chance. You are in or you're out. So we will either go back to Manchester or we can stay in Lisbon for at least four more days. That's what it is and it means our approach will be completely different.”

City’s focus has been on Europe since the COVID-19 pandemic shut down football with the Premier League title race conceded just after the New Year.

Guardiola has challenged his players to be brave against the French side that beat City home and away a season ago.

“We have looked at Lyon and tried to discover their secrets and now is the time to be ourselves,” the Catalan said.

“I want to see my team show who they are. I want them to do everything they always try to do from in their soul and in their minds.

“After that, the football will dictate whether we deserve it or not. It's as simple as that.”