FC Barcelona 0-3 Bayern Munich: Initial reactions and observations

Initial reactions and observations

If Robert Lewandowski wasn’t regretting his move to FC Barcelona from Bayern Munich, he sure will be right now. In two games versus his former team, he comes away with zero goals and zero assists. Even Choupo-Moting has outshone him in this fixture set. Bad move, Lewy. Bad move.
Bayern Munich have qualified top of the group, and the game at the dreaded Spotify stadium turned out to be a total lame duck. Barca barely managed to get a sniff on goal, and when they did, Matthijs de Ligt and Dayot Upamecano were there to snuff out the danger. Sven Ulreich may as well have been a spectator tonight.
Choupo-Moting continues his scoring run. Choupo > Lewy.
Julian Nagelsmann has won four consecutive games against Barca and three consecutive games against Xavi.
Strange move by Xavi to start so many midfielders today. More to talk about in our postgame podcast and analysis.

Want more analysis of the game? How did Nagelsmann nullify Xavi and which players stood out? Then why not check out our postgame podcast? Listen to it below or on Spotify.

Full time: Bayern Munich beat Barcelona 3-0.

90’+4’ — GOOOOOOOOOAL! Benjamin Pavard makes it 3-0! And it’s full time!

82’ — Sub: Robert Lewandowski comes off for FC Barcelona. Zero goals for him.

79’ — Camp Nou sounds like a cathedral. Spotify artists could record here.

67’ — Subs: Ryan Gravenberch comes on for Jamal Musiala.

61’ — Subs: Thomas Muller and Benjamin Pavard on for Choupo and Upamecano.

55’ — Serge Gnabry scores but it’s ruled offside.

45’ — The second half is underway! Sabitzer has come on for Bayern.

Halftime: Bayern Munich lead Barcelona by two goals at the half.

45’ — Drama! Matthijs de Ligt brings down Robert Lewandowski in the box, and it was ruled a penalty! But then VAR intervenes.

31’ — GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAL! Choupo-Goating scores! Lewandowski who?

9’ — GOOOOOOOOOOOAL! Sadio Mane scores inside ten minutes!

Kickoff: We’re underway at the Spotify Camp Nou!

One hour until kickoff: Didn’t know Julian Nagelsmann was the merciful type. Thomas Muller the Barca-slayer will not start for Bayern Munich in this one, with Serge Gnabry preferred instead. Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting gets a start, while Noussair Mazraoui and Sadio Mane return to the starting XI. Decent lineup overall, but can it win against Xavi’s Barcelona?

You know, no matter how many times Bayern Munich and FC Barcelona face each other in the Champions League, it’s a massive game. We don’t yet know how much will be at stake for this one, but it doesn’t change a thing. Both teams will be stepping on the pitch to win. It’s about pride.

Julian Nagelsmann will be missing his heroes from the first leg. Goalscorers Lucas Hernandez and Leroy Sane are both ruled out with muscle injuries, while captain and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has a shoulder problem that’s caused him to stay behind in Munich. The onus, therefore, will be on the likes of Thomas Muller, Jamal Musiala, and the in-form Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting to pick up the slack.

Barca, meanwhile, will have revenge on their minds. Robert Lewandowski didn’t score in the first leg, a mistake he’ll be looking to rectify. Xavi probably won’t make the mistake of starting Marcos Alonso and Sergio Busquets again, opting for the younger and more dynamic Alejandro Balde and Frenkie de Jong.

It’s a big game even if the stakes are uneven. Both sides will give it their all.

It’s Bayern time.

While you’re waiting for the game, why not check out our podcast? Listen to it below or at this link.

Match Info

Location: Spotify Camp Nou, Frankfurt, Germany

Time: 9:00 pm local time, 3:00 pm EST

TV/streaming: Paramount+, Find Your Country

Tips for commenting:

If you’re a new member, feel free to introduce yourself! We’re ~~mostly~~ very friendly! Also, we’re from all parts of the world so don’t feel shy if you’re from a country that doesn’t seem represented on the blog.
If the comments section starts to slow down for you, just hit the refresh button and keep commenting. It’s not necessary to have the whole comments loaded at one time while you’re just casually following along.
Keep the sorting to “newest” to easily follow the conversation. It puts the newest comments at the top.
Here at BFW we celebrate every goal like they do in the stadium: with a chant. The goal chants are for everyone to participate in! Even if you’re lagging behind the others, keep replying to the most recent call of the player’s name. Even if you missed the first call, just start from the second, and so on.
While swearing is allowed within reason, please be polite to your fellow posters and avoid gratuitous obscenities. Racist, homophobic, and misogynistic language is not allowed whatsoever.

Check out our beginners thread if you have any more questions. That’s about it. Auf geht’s!

Looking for an unending well of Bayern Munich content? Sign up for an SBNation account and join the conversation on Bavarian Football Works. Whether it’s full match coverage and analysis, breaking news, podcasts or something completely different, we have it all.