While City faced high-class opponents in Napoli and Bayern, United crashed out to the combined might of Benfica, FC Basel and Athletic Bilbao.

WSJ: England Awaits Stuttering Finale

Perhaps Bayern's play never reached the dizzying heights of that first-leg master class on Wednesday night, but the side was still brutal in its efficiency.

WSJ: Bayern Munich, FC Barcelona: Bayern Buries Barcelona, Reaches Champions League Final