Bayern Munich vs Barcelona preview
The Champions League is back again with another round of intriguing fixtures. The second round will go ahead as scheduled despite the recent death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The pick of the matchday has to be none other than the 2 fiercest rivals on the European stage – Bayern Munich vs Barcelona.
The Catalans will make the long trip to the Allianz Arena, where 2 young managers will also go head to head in the form of Xavi and Julian Nagelsmann. This fixture is famous for its recent memory of the Bavarians thrashing Barcelona with a final scoreline of 8-2. Robert Lewandowski was one of the names on the scoresheet that day, but the Polish international has since moved to Barcelona this summer.
Nagelsmann’s Bayern Munich have been going through a stuttering form in the league this season, especially after their recent draw with Stuttgart which was their third stalemate in a row. The Bavarians easily brushed aside Inter Milan in their first match of the Champions League group stage but facing a revived Barcelona will be a different prospect altogether.
Barcelona on the other hand have been cruising this season in both the Champions League as well as La Liga. They sit at the top of the table after 5 games out of which they have won five and drawn one and scored 15 goals along the way. New signing Jules Kounde has already made his mark at the Camp Nou and that shows with Barcelona conceding only one goal so far in the league.
The two sides also met in the group stages of UCL last season where Bayern ran out comfortable winners, with scorelines of 3-0 each. Both teams will want to get one foot inside the knockout stages by beating each other but it isn’t going to be easy for either of them.
Braithwaite making controversial claims…#Barcelona #Dembele #Lewandowski pic.twitter.com/2eZ4aWefBc
— FootTheBall FC (@FootTheBallFC) September 11, 2022
Bayern Munich vs Barcelona team news
Bayern Munich have a near fully fit squad, with Bouna Sarr and Kingsley Coman the only absentees Nagelsmann will have to make up with.
Bayern Munich predicted starting lineup: Neuer, Davies, Hernandez, De Ligt, Pavard, Sabitzer, Kimmich, Sane, Muller, Gnabry, Mane
Like Bayern, Xavi and Barcelona too do not have to deal with a whole host of absentees, with Sergi Roberto the only one on the treatment table.
Barcelona predicted starting lineup: Ter Stegen, Balde, Christensen, Araujo, Kounde, De Jong, Pedri, Gavi, Raphinha, Dembele, Lewandowski
Gamechangers
Bayern Munich will heavily rely on their old yet still effective talisman Thomas Muller. The former German World Cup winner has made the Raumdeuter position his own in the last decade or so, confusing the defenders with his excellent tactical knowledge on the field and dummy runs.
Muller will come up against a Barcelona defence who have been in superb form after conceding just 2 goals so far in all competitions. He will be looking to wreak havoc in Xavi’s defence just like the previous three occasions they have met on. Xavi knows what the German is capable of on his day and will be one to watch out for.
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Up against Muller will be his old ally – Robert Lewandowski. The former Bayern Munich striker has begun life at Barcelona in some style. Lewandoski has already 6 goals and 2 assists to his name in just 5 appearances for the Catalans. The Polish international although so far, hasn’t faced a team of the calibre of Bayern Munich. While that being said he will surely know a thing or two from his time at the Allianz Arena.
Bayern Munich vs Barcelona prediction
Barcelona are looking great under Xavi, who are finally clicking as a unit and on their day might make matches look like a walk in the park. Although, Bayern aren’t going to be easy and would be raring to go especially after their recent patch of poor home form.
The Catalans look like a threat from all over the park, something which cannot be said about Bayern Munich after looking at their recent performances. Both clubs have had a stellar transfer window this summer, although Xavi’s new men seem to be finding their feet at a much quicker pace. The Spanish coach has successfully found a way to integrate – the academy players from La Masia and all the new signings, something even the Barcelona fans were doubtful of. The likes of Lewandowski, Raphinha and Kounde look like different players and Bayern will have their work cut out in playing against them.
Goals are a surety from this match and it will be only a matter of how many. This one is a close call, but Barcelona might edge this one with a surprise victory. FootTheBall predicts Bayern Munich 2-3 Barcelona.
