Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola has admitted that it will be "tough" for his side to recover from their 3-0 defeat to Barcelona this evening.

The Bundesliga champions saw their hopes of reaching the Champions League final for a third time in four seasons all but ended after the first leg of the semis, with two goals from Lionel Messi and a late third from Neymar handing Barca a commanding victory at Camp Nou.

Guardiola, who was making his first return to the club since leaving in 2012, admitted that his side 'lost their grip' on the game after the first goal, as well as hailing match-winner Messi.

"We controlled the game well up until their first goal. We lost our grip after that though," he told reporters.

"It was a pity to concede the first goal. You can turn around a one or two-goal deficit, but three is tough. I really can't blame any of my players. The team have had a lot of difficult situations this year.

"I said Messi unstoppable? It's like that. You should try that he gets involved as little as possible."

The second leg will take place at the Allianz Arena next Tuesday.