Robert Lewandowski scored a brace in Bayern’s 3-0 thrashing of Barcelona at the Camp Nou on Tuesday. Playing their first Champions League match since Lionel Messi left to join PSG, it was the first time in 24 years since Barca have lost their opening Champions League game, in a match which the visitors controlled comfortably in a deserved win.
Bayern were by far the better team and were up against an injury ridden Barca side, where Lewandowski once again showed his elite ability with a classic and composed performance. The hosts will feel lucky that they did not lose the match by a bigger margin, failing to register a shot on target throughout the match, as Bayern continued to create chance after chance, hitting the woodwork twice.
The youngsters that came on in the second half provided some life for Ronald Koeman’s side but it was not enough as Bayern controlled the match in a high quality performance. 18-year-old Jamal Musiala was very bright for the visitors with new signing Dayot Upamecano also impressing at the back but it was Lewandowski who stole the headlines with his brace in the second half to seal the Bayern victory.
The German champions are one of the favorites to win the competition and showed just why in a dominating performance at the Camp Nou.
? 75 UCL goals for Robert Lewandowski
? 18 straight matches with a goalAny doubt who the best striker in the world is? pic.twitter.com/EnrXbiO5KC
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) September 14, 2021
Barcelona
Marc-Andre ter Stegen – 6.5
Made a fine stop to keep out Sane’s shot early in the first half but could do nothing to stop the first goal after Müller’s shot took a big deflection off Garcia. Saved well from a close range shot by Sane early in the second half but could do nothing once again about the second and third goals.
Ronald Araujo – 5
Struggled against a very strong Bayern side and did not do enough defensively throughout the match.
Eric Garcia – 4.5
Was the weakest defender for Barca and was replaced in the 66th minute for Mingueza. Müller’s goal deflected off him to open the scoring.
Gerard Pique – 5
Distribution from the back was fairly good but struggled against the trickery and good link-up play of Bayern’s attack. Was seated by Lewandowski for Barca’s third goal.
Sergi Roberto – 4
Roberto was subbed off early in the second half for youngster Yusuf Demir. Struggled at right wing-back, gave the ball away too often and had little impact on the match.
Frenkie de Jong – 6.5
Had the better of performances in Barca’s midfield with accurate passes and was probably the best player for the hosts in a weak team performance.
Sergio Busquets – 5.5
Substituted early in the second half for 17-year-old Pablo Gavi. Was accurate with his passes but struggled against a tough Bayern midfield.
Pedri – 6
Controlled possession fairly well and was accurate with his passing but struggled to create chances.
Jordi Alba – 6
Looked bright down the left flank and looked to deliver crosses into the box but struggled to find targets in the middle. Was replaced after 72 minutes with a knock.
Luuk de Jong – 4
Barcelona looked to utilize the aerial ability of de Jong but the Dutch forward struggled to make an impact.
Memphis Depay – 5
Was the only player who offered any sort of threat for Barca but struggled to get involved in the match
Substitutes
Pablo Gavi – 5.5
Provided an injection of life for Barca, hassled Bayern frequently and was accurate with his passing. The 17-year-old showed an encouraging but raw performance, losing the ball in possession frequently.
Yusuf Demir – 5
Played fairly well when he came on but it was difficult for the Austrian to get into the match.
Oscar Mingueza – N/A
Philippe Coutinho – N/A
Alejandro Balde – N/A
Barcelona failed to register a single shot on target against Bayern Munich ? pic.twitter.com/Anis0d1pNR
— B/R Football (@brfootball) September 14, 2021
Bayern Munich
Manuel Neuer – 6
Had very little to do and was not troubled throughout the match but was accurate with his distribution.
Benjamin Pavard – 6.5
Made only his second appearance of the season and was replaced after 65 minutes after a solid performance. Was involved heavily in the match and did not make any defensive errors.
Dayot Upamecano – 7.5
Distributed the ball well from the back and was very accurate with his passes. Was not troubled at the back and did his job well defensively but did receive a yellow card for a needless challenge.
Niklas Süle – 6.5
Very accurate with his distribution from the back and had little to do defensively.
Alphonso Davies – 6.5
A solid match for Davies who did little wrong and offered some threat going forward. Could have done better in possession and was dispossessed a couple of times.
Joshua Kimmich – 6.5
Carded after just five minutes but sat deep and looked to control the tempo of the match with accurate passing in what was a solid performance.
Jamal Musiala – 7
Threatened on the right flank and got into some nice spaces by taking on defenders. Picked up a nice position just outside the area when his venomous shot thundered off the post before Lewandowski turned in a simple tap-in from close range.
Thomas Müller – 7
Müller opened the scoring in the first half with his seventh goal against Barca in just six games after his long range shot was deflected past a helpless ter Stegen. Creative with his passing and helped back defensively when needed.
Leon Goretzka – 7.5
Was influential in the midfield and looked to drive forward and create for the visitors, continuing his good form this season in a fine performance for the away side.
Leroy Sane – 7
Looked dangerous and created chances throughout the match. Combined well with Lewandowski early in the second half in the box but his close range effort was saved by ter Stegen.
Robert Lewandowski – 8
Good center-forward work throughout the match, combining well in link-up play and creating chances. Scored Bayern’s second and third goals from close range and showed good composure in a typical performance by the Pole.
Substitutes
Serge Gnabry – 6.5
Looked dangerous when he came on with only 20 minutes remaining in the match. Hit the woodwork in the lead up to Bayern’s third goal.
Lucas Hernandez – 6
Did well when he came on after playing just 24 minutes in the match. Retained possession well and was not challenged defensively.
Marcel Sabitzer – N/A
Josip Stanisic – N/A
Kingsley Coman – N/A