Two clubs with four European Cups apiece, the champions of Germany versus the champions-elect of Spain, yet on May Day it was mayday for Barcelona, who were humiliated 3-0 at the Camp Nou by the brilliant Bayern Munich, losing an unfathomable 7-0 on aggregate.
Second-half goals from Arjen Robben and Thomas Müller, with Gerard Piqué's sliced own goal sandwiched in between, settled one of the most dominant Champions League semi-finals.
How flattering it is for Arsenal, who Bayern scraped past 3-3 on aggregate thanks to the away goals rule. After their 0-2 defeat to the Gunners at the Allianz Arena, Bayern beat Italian champions Juventus 4-0 on aggregate, which seemed comprehensive at the time. Now it looks tame.
Barcelona, bereft of Lionel Messi, were rudderless. Paris Saint-Germain outplayed them in the previous round until Messi arrived to galvanise his teammates, but three weeks on, Tito Vilanova waved the white flag before the contest had even started. Messi, clad in an unfitting jacket usually sported by Arsène Wenger, sat powerless.
Barcelona stand dejected after Robben's opener
His replacement, Cesc Fàbregas, again failed to play the talisman. He has manged 28 goals and 31 assists in 91 appearances since returning to his boyhood club but considering how La Liga is a haven for the flat-track bully, he has underwhelmed back with Barça.
With the tie effectively sealed thanks to Messi's omission, Bayern punished their hosts. Robben, starting wide on the right, scored having cut inside on to his lethal left foot in what was an explicit highlight of Barcelona's risible defending. Too quick and too slick, Gustavo's erudite pass eventually led to Piqué doubling the lead as he bid to prevent the waiting Mario Mandžukić from a tap-in before Franck Ribéry stood up a cross for the stooping Müller to convert.
Not only was this a night which signalled a changing of the guard in European football, it confirmed Barcelona, ostensibly one of club football's greatest sides, appear to be a one-man team.