Barcelona will host Bayern Munich in an epic encounter in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday.
Stadium: Camp Nou
Key Statistics
- Bayern haven’t lost any of their last 18 away games in the Champions League and the impressive streak is perhaps a record in UCL history.
- Barcelona haven’t lost any of their opening games in the Champions League in the last two decades.
- Both teams are undefeated in their respective leagues this season.
Head to Head (H2H)
Bayern have Barca’s number when it comes to the Champions League as the German giants have won 8 games out of 13 in head to head. The infamous 8-2 defeat of Barca against Bayern in the 2019/20 season was the last time when the two sides met.
Recent form
Barca in La Liga this season: 3 games – W D W
Bayern in Bundesliga this season 4 games – D W W W
Barcelona
After a turbulent summer transfer window where they lost both Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann, Barcelona’s start to the 2021/22 campaign is quite impressive – 2 wins and 1 draw in La Liga thus far.
However, their big test awaits this week when they face old foes Bayern Munich in the Champions League game of Group E.
Barca didn’t have fond memories when they last met Bayern as they slumped to an 8-2 humiliation in the quarter-finals of the 2019/20 season.
Now they will look to seek revenge however the odds are still in the favour of Bayern, who have been equally impressive in Bundesliga this season.
Memphis Depay, Ronald Koeman’s most trusted man, has been the top player for the Blaugrana this season, with the Dutchman wasting no time in making his presence felt after his free transfer from Lyon in the summer.
Martin Braithwaite has been ruled out of the game with a knee injury while full-back Sergino Dest remains doubtful for the game against Bayern. New signing Luuk de Jong could make his debut on Tuesday.
Possible line-ups
Marc-Andre ter Stegen; Jordi Alba, Gerard Pique, Ronald Araujo, Sergi Roberto; Sergio Busquets, Frenkie de Jong, Pedri; Philippe Coutinho, Memphis Depay, Luuk de Jong.
Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich’s start to the new season has been exemplary, winning 3 out of their 4 games in Bundesliga.
New manager Julian Nagelsman had no problems in instilling his tactics as the Bavarians are looking like the favourites for both Champions League and Bundesliga.
Furthermore, they are coming off an empathic 4-1 win against Nagelsmann’s former side RB Leipzig in the weekend.
Robert Lewandowski has picked up where he left last season, netting 6 goals in 4 Bundesliga appearances that include a hat-trick.
Jamal Musiala is turning out to be a revelation after the 18-year-old has mustered 2 goals and 2 assists in 4 league games.
Possible line-ups
Manuel Neuer; Alphonso Davies, Lucas Hernandez, Dayot Upamecano, Benjamin Pavard; Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka; Thomas Muller, Jamal Musiala, Leroy Sane; Robert Lewandowski
Prediction
Barcelona 1 – 3 Bayern Munich
Bayern have the slightest advantage given their overall quality of the squad. Their forward line would definitely cause more problems to Barca’s defence.
