Barcelona vs Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich will be ready to face a huge match on the Allianz Arena when they take on Barcelona in the Champions League. The group has already been referred to as the “Group of Death due to the awe-inspiring stature that the players. The Bavarian giants jumped over the first hurdle in their encounter with Inter Milan last week, however, this time is going to be different.
Bayern Munich were eliminated somewhat unexpectedly last season in the quarter-finals against Villarreal and Paris Saint-Germain knocking them out in the quarter-finals of 2020/21. In the year prior to that, they beat Barcelona 8-2 during a single-leg tie. Bayern Munich were eliminated in a single-legged tie. German Heavyweights would go on take the title in that season however, things are likely to be different this time around.
Bayern Munich need to rediscover their normal fluidity in order to improve their league performance at all. Bayern Munich are in a state of flux. Bundesliga holders have been drawn in their last three domestic matches, with the latest match being against Stuttgart despite being two goals ahead during the game. They will face their first testing of the campaign in the coming game against Barcelona.
Barcelona can gain confidence from their current performance and head into the match with their heads held high. The purchase of the former Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski has been a success in business thus far as this Polish forward kept scoring in the match when the Catalans defeated Cadiz by four goals..
Barcelona have been able to win their five matches in their last five in all competitions , and have been scoring in constant performance. The memories of the past against Bayern particularly the mauling of 8-2 the club, will remain fresh However, Xavi Hernandez will be a new manager who has a different team.
This isn’t to say that Barcelona are in the lead however, they are in a form that can allow them to face the giants like Bayern without fear. Furthermore, they’ll want to take advantage of the flaws that exist in Julian Nagelsmann’s current set-up however, an easy win is thought to be a flimsy goal right now.
Team News (Bayern Munich)
Julian Nagelsmann will need to make do with Kingsley Coman and Bouna Sarr in the Barcelona match. After having rested some of his starting players in the Stuttgart game The Bayern Munich manager will name a solid squad for the home game.
The team is expected to make changes across all areas, but particularly in the third defender. French defensive duo Lucas Hernandez and Benjamin Pavard are set to be recalled to the starting line-up to replace Dayot Upadacano and Noussair Mazraoui, respectively.
Leon Goretzka started alongside Joshua Kimmich in the midfield during the weekend, however Marcel Sabitzer could replace the former Schalke midfielder on his double pivot. In the absence of Coman missing, Serge Gnabry could take his place on the right in the Bayern Munich attack.
Jamal Musiala reprised the no.10 role in the game against Stuttgart and Stuttgart, and Thomas Muller taking up the false nine position. Muller might return in the midfield attacking area as well, with Sadio Mane expected to lead his team of Bayern Munich against Barcelona, after being put in the sidelines during the weekend. Leroy Sane will provide support on the left-hand side.
Team News (Barcelona)
Xavi Hernandez was left out Sergi Roberto over the weekend possibly in a move to prevent injury following the midfielder’s injury. an injury to his muscle in the game against Viktoria Plzen. However the Spaniard is part of an impressive 25-man squad that will travel that will travel to Bavaria.
Other than that, Xavi has a fully-fit team at his disposal with no injuries that have been reported as of the date of writing. After having rested a number of other prominent first-team players The Barcelona manager is likely to field his strongest team against Bayern.
Some of the likes Jules Kounde and Eric Garcia might be included in the defensive line-up. Xavi may think about the possibility of changing his left-back position, despite Alejandro Balde’s impressive performance against Cadiz on Saturday. There’s a possibility that the Barcelona manager may opt to substituting the youngster with more mature Jordi Alba who has faced several issues since the beginning of the season.
Pedri is expected to return to the starting line-up to replace Frenkie de Jong in the midfield group. He will be joined with Sergio Busquets and Gavi in the middle of the park. The star forward Robert Lewandowski is expected to be back and take the lead to Barcelona to face Bayern Munich, with Raphinha and Ousmane Dembele supporting him from wider areas.
Watch Live Here
