It wasn't supposed to end like this.
Pep Guardiola's reign at Bayern Munich will finish without the one thing he and the club desired more than any other -- the Champions League trophy.
Ousted by Atletico Madrid on away goals, despite winning the second leg of its seminal tie 2-1, Bayern's dreams of a sixth European title are over.
It is three years since Guardiola arrived in Munich with the club having just won Europe's most prestigious club competition -- a triumph which completed a famous and historic the treble under Jupp Heynckes.
Bayern was unstoppable. It was playing football which left opponents trailing in its wake and had dominated the Bundesliga after wrestling control back from Borussia Dortmund.
Guardiola, the man who had revolutionized football with the 'tiki-taka' style so beautifully played by his Barcelona teams, was supposed to be the man to take Bayern to the next level.
And yet, despite winning two league titles, soon to be three, and three cup competitions, it is the failure to win the biggest prize of all which will leave a blemish on his otherwise near perfect resume.
Instead, he will depart Munich for Manchester City, a club which could yet win this season's competition, at the end of the season to try his luck in England's Premier League.
"That is football. You can play better and still be eliminated," Guardiola told reporters. "I feel sorry for my players because they deserved the very best."
And yet it could have been so different had Thomas Muller scored from the penalty spot at a time where Bayern already led on the night and was threatening to take apart one of the most miserly defenses in European football.
Muller's failure not only turned the game on its head but proved to be the moment where Guardiola's quest came to a premature end.
For a man who came as close to humanly possible in creating perfect football at Barcelona, and has succeeded on a domestic level with Bayern, this setback will hurt Guardiola.
Guardiola, has changed Bayern, the way it plays, the ethos, the shape, the thought process and it has moved forward from the side which won the Champions League on that famous night at Wembley three years ago. Yet, perhaps it has not moved forward quite enough.
Some will accuse Guardiola of being a failure -- an accusation which borders on the absurd. Few have achieved what he has in his managerial career and at 45 he will surely preside over more successes in the future. Unfortunately for him, it was just not meant to be.
On this occasion it was Atletico Madrid which inflicted a third consecutive semifinal defeat by Spanish opposition on Guardiola's side. Atletico, a team which plays its role as the underdog to perfection, progressed on away goals Wednesday after the tie finished 2-2.
Real Madrid: Ronaldo out as Manchester City ends 0-0
Real Madrid: Ronaldo out as Manchester City ends 0-0
Diego Simeone's players, a band of brothers who, like football's most celebrated underdog, Leicester City, simply do not know when it's are beaten, grafted, fought and took its opportunity to inflict yet more pain on Guardiola.
Antoine Griezmann, one of the outstanding players of the season, administered the fatal blow to Bayern, firing home eight minutes after the interval to ensure his side registered a crucial away goal.
That Atletico lost 2-1 on the night would prove irrelevant. Its 1-0 win in the first leg was always likely to leave Bayern facing a difficult task, though its first half display gave plenty of reason for encouragement as Guardiola's players produced a fine showing.
Xabi Alonso's 31st minute free kick, which took a wicked deflection off Jose Gimenez before flying into the Atletico net, gave the home side the perfect start. It was a base from which Bayern should have built upon, especially when Gimenez fouled Javi Martinez to gift the home side a penalty.
Thomas Muller, who had been threatening throughout the opening half hour, stood up to take the kick but his effort was brilliantly saved by Jan Oblak, the Atletico goalkeeper. It was a moment which would change the game as Bayern's self-belief began to drain away before the ball had scarcely left Oblak's gloves.
Advantage Atletico
That miss was to prove costly as within eight minutes of the restart Atletico struck the fatal blow when Fernando Torres played Griezmann through on goal and the Frenchman produced a fine finish to fire the ball past the onrushing Manuel Neuer for his 31st of the season.
That goal appeared to have ended Bayern's hopes but with 17 minutes of the contest remaining, Robert Lewandowski headed home from close range to set up frantic finale.
Roared on by a passionate home crowd, Bayern laid siege to the Atletico goal. Yet, with six minutes remaining, it was the visiting side which should have killed off the tie.
Torres broke away from his marker before going down under the challenge of Martinez -- an offense which appeared to take place outside of the penalty area.
The referee, Cuneyt Cakır disagreed and awarded the spot kick. Torres strode forward and hit his effort firmly but Neuer produced a fine save to keep his side in contention.
From there on it was as thrilling as it was frantic, but there was to be no fairy tale ending for Bayern nor Guardiola.
Instead, it is Atletico which will have its date with destiny and the opportunity of redemption.
Redemption
Three years ago, Simeone's side was moments from sporting immortality.
Leading arch rival Real Madrid in the Champions League final courtesy of Diego Godin's goal, it reached the 92nd minute with its advantage intact.
Yet, the scars of what transpired in the moments after has left scars which still burn hot.
Sergio Ramos headed home a 93rd minute equalizer to force extra-time before Real ran riot, scoring three more goals to win 4-1.
It is an experience which those who hold Atletico dear in their hearts can ever forget.
"I'm proud of what has happened to this club,"| Simeone told BT Sport.
"We are beating the best teams in the world. Over the course of 180 minutes we showed the work of three years.
"I hope that destiny will eventually help us in the final. It doesn't matter, whoever we play."
Destiny awaits -- and so too could Real.
Bayern improved after the interval and created several chances. David Alaba's long-range effort smashed against the crossbar and Douglas Costa sent his effort wide of the far post.
6 photos: Advantage Atletico in Champions League
Bayern improved after the interval and created several chances. David Alaba's long-range effort smashed against the crossbar and Douglas Costa sent his effort wide of the far post.
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Arturo Vidal, who reached the final with Juventus last season, had a fierce effort well saved by Jan Oblak in the Atletico goal.
6 photos: Advantage Atletico in Champions League
Arturo Vidal, who reached the final with Juventus last season, had a fierce effort well saved by Jan Oblak in the Atletico goal.
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Javi Martinez wasted a glorious effort to equalized for the visitor when he sent his header straight at Oblak from 10-yards. It means Bayern will now need to overturn a 1-0 deficit in the second leg in Munich on Tuesday if it is to progress to the final.
6 photos: Advantage Atletico in Champions League
Javi Martinez wasted a glorious effort to equalized for the visitor when he sent his header straight at Oblak from 10-yards. It means Bayern will now need to overturn a 1-0 deficit in the second leg in Munich on Tuesday if it is to progress to the final.
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Saul Niguez gave Atletico Madrid the perfect start to its Champions League semifinal tie with a spectacular 11th minute strike. The midfielder danced his way through the Bayern Munich defense before curling home a sumptuous effort.
6 photos: Advantage Atletico in Champions League
Saul Niguez gave Atletico Madrid the perfect start to its Champions League semifinal tie with a spectacular 11th minute strike. The midfielder danced his way through the Bayern Munich defense before curling home a sumptuous effort.