In the last couple of years, the fate has been harsh on Barcelona, and the hammer of punishment was Bayern München. Whenever the two crossed their paths, it ended in a humiliating defeat for the Blaugrana, and the consecutive utter devastations stomped us in the mud.
Match Details:
Date: Tuesday, September 13th, 2022
Competition: Uefa Champions League
Match Day: 02
Venue: Allianz Arena
Time: 09:00 pm Central European Time (Barcelona)
Match Overview:
2020. August 14. A day that will be known as a day of grief for the supporters of the Garnet and Blue, as the team suffered a historic 8-2 defeat from Bayern. However, as strange as it might seem, somehow this tragic night in Lisbon could have initiated a process of a rebuild, which resulted in this current team, with a young, ambitious manager on the board and a quality squad filled with talent and experience.
Xavi’s arrival brought back hope to Camp Nou, but his presence was not enough yet to prevent Barca from another 3-0 defeat from their Bavarian kryptonites last December. However, this summer he has all the tools to complement his ideas with world-class players like Jules Koundé, Raphinha, and the biggest of them all, Robert Lewandowski.
Beyond dispute, the return of the Polish marksman to the Allianz Arena will be the spiciest individual narrative of the game, as he is set to step on the pitch of Allianz Arena for the first time following his summer switch to the Catalans. And, it’s safe to say he continued everything where he left off: the 34-year-old star kicked off the new season with successive stellar performances, and nothing indicates that he will slow down soon.
His clinical finishing will be key in the success of the Blaugrana, in order to convert their chances into goals as well as disrupting the defensive structure of Bayern with his movement and link-up. As how we could see this and last season as well, their defense is not unshakeable, especially when the immense pressing is outplayed and they are left exposed to counters.
This is where our intensive high counter-pressing can be for good use, a point to break through the seemingly impenetrable shield of Nagelsmann’s machine. Fortunately, with the likes of Torres, Fati, Dembélé, and Raphinha all available, Xavi has the luxury to choose which attackers to play, according to the perspective he approaches the game.
However, Bayern’s main strength does not lie in the defensive but in their monstrous attacking section. Gnabry, Sané, Musiala, Müller, Coman, Mané… these players provide a terrific force in the hands of Nagelsmann, plus, their versatile and flexible attacking profiles increase fluidity and unpredictability around the opposition box.
Nevertheless, it will be a huge test for Xavi and his new-look team, and by no means an easy objective against possibly one of the best sides in Europe. However, no matter the level of difficulty, the name of Barcelona should be served with 100% perseverance and dedication. Motivated by past failures, the team will surely seek revenge on this monstrous giant of Bayern München.