Barcelona host Bavarian giants Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League Group E opener at the Camp Nou, in what is touted to be the Blaugrana’s biggest test since the departure of Lionel Messi.
For the first time in over 16 years in the competition, they will be without their legendary figure. The match also pitches together two giants for the first time since Bayern’s 8-2 demolition of Barcelona in the 2020 mini tournament.
Barcelona vs Bayern Munich Preview
Barcelona come into the clash having not played their previous La Liga fixture due to a fixture reschedule. Their high-profile clash against Sevilla was requested to be played at a later date due to the delayed return of South American stars from their respective country’s World Cup qualifier matches.
Nonetheless, the team has coped pretty well after the departure of their greatest ever player going on to remain undefeated so far (W2, D1) in the season.
Die Roten on the other hand look like a work in progress under new manager Julian Nagelsmann. That’s not to say they are not in form – having won their last five matches with stupendous results, scoring a staggering 25 goals, including a thumping 12-0 win over minnows Bremer SV in the DFB-Pokal First round on August 25.
Memphis Depay has started his Barcelona career in style but the Blaugrana’s form in the Champions League of late has been worrying – they are winless in three matches in the competition for the first time since the 2013/14 season.
For Bayern, Robert Lewandowski remains the main man and he comes on the back of a goal in the German giant’s latest outing at Nagelsmann’s former employers RB Leipzig, a 4-1 victory.
The two teams have not met in the group stages of the continental competition since the 1998/99 season – when the Bavarians won 1-0 and 2-1 in both the legs.
Previous Results
Barcelona – W, D, W
Bayern – D, W, W, W, W, W
Expected Lineups and Team News
Barcelona
The Catalans are expected to start with their usual balanced formation of Memphis Depay leading the line up front alongside former Bayern forward Philippe Coutinho and new loanee Luuk De Jong, who is set for his club debut. The midfield is going to feature regular faces in Frenkie De Jong, Pedri and Sergio Busquets. Sergi Roberto and Jordi Alba will man the wings in their traditional wide roles, whereas Ronald Araujo and Gerard Pique will form the heart of defence ahead of goalkeeper Ter Stegen.
Barca have lost a host of stars, especially forwards, to injuries. Sergio Aguero (calf), Ousmane Dembele & Ansu Fati (knee) remain out of the clash. Sergino Dest’s knock will also see him sit out. Pique and Alba are bound to receive late call-ups as they also recover from small knocks.
4-3-3 – Marc-Andre Ter Stegen; Sergi Roberto, Samuel Umtiti, Ronald Araujo, Jordi Alba; Frenkie de Jong, Sergio Busquets Pedri; Memphis Depay, Luuk de Jong, Philippe Coutinho
Bayern Munich
Die Roten have all of their best players available for the match and look like a well-oiled machine, claiming to go all the way in the Champions League once again. Unsurprisingly, Manuel Neuer takes charge between the posts, behind Benjamin Pavard, Upamecano, Lucas Hernandez and Alphonso Davies in defence. The central midfield roles will be occupied by mainstays Leon Goretzka and Joshua Kimmich, whereas the front four will witness Musiala, Muller and Sane support Lewandowski in the final third.
Serge Gnabry was substituted early on against Leipzig due to fitness concerns and might just lose out his place to teenage sensation Jamal Musiala. French pair Kinglsey Coman and Corentin Tolisso are both ruled out of the match.
4-2-3-1 – Manuel Neuer; Benjamin Pavard, Dayot Upamecano, Lucas Hernandez, Alphonso Davies; Leon Goretzka, Joshua Kimmich; Jamal Musiala, Thomas Muller, Leroy Sane; Robert Lewandowski
Prediction: Barcelona 1-3 Bayern Munich
An encounter of this magnitude never fails to deliver and Bayern Munich are expected to deliver another convincing performance against Ronaldo Koeman’s men, who will look to avenge some kind of consolation for their humiliating 8-2 drubbing.
UCL 2021/22 Group E – Matchday 1
Date: Tuesday, 14 September 2021
Kick off: 20:00 CET
Venue: Camp Nou, Barcelona