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MUNICH, Germany — Second-half objectives from Lucas Hernandez and Leroy Sane spoiled Robert Lewandowski‘s return to Allianz Enviornment as Bayern Munich defeated Barcelona 2-0 in Champions League Group C motion.
It was an sad return to Bavaria for Lewandowski, who’s Bayern’s second-highest all-time scorer however left in the summertime after eight years to affix the Catalan aspect.
The loss extends Barcelona’s tough run of ends in Munich. The Blaugrana have now did not win of their final seven visits to Bavaria, recording two attracts and 5 defeats.
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Bayern now high of their group on six factors from two matches. Barcelona are on three factors, together with Internazionale. Viktoria Plzen are in final place.
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Table of Contents
1. Bayern dominate Barcelona as soon as once more
Bayern Munich prolonged their dominance over Barcelona with a 2-0 Champions League Group C victory within the Allianz Enviornment, recording their fifth straight win in opposition to the LaLiga giants. Two objectives within the area of 4 minutes within the second-half — a Lucas Hernandez header on 51 minutes adopted by Leroy Sane‘s solo purpose three minutes after — have been sufficient to seal the victory and transfer Bayern clear on the high of their group.
And the win means Bayern have now gained by a margin of 19 objectives to Barcelona’s 4 throughout their five-game streak, together with the notorious 8-2 quarterfinal victory in Lisbon in 2020. Barca additionally suffered two 3-0 defeats in opposition to Julian Nagelsmann’s workforce final season. To compound Barcelona’s distress, Bayern have now scored 30 objectives in opposition to them within the Champions League, 9 greater than Paris Saint-Germain, the second-most prolific workforce in opposition to the Spanish membership.
Though they created numerous first-half possibilities for Robert Lewandowski, Barcelona hardly ever seemed like rising with a win in Germany and so they had no response to Bayern’s powerhouse begin to the second-half. Xavi’s workforce are nonetheless clearly rebuilding after the departure of Lionel Messi to PSG final 12 months and so they seemed a degree under Bayern who as soon as once more inflicted a humbling defeat on the five-time Champions League winners.
2. Lewandowski’s powerful evening in Bayern return
Bayern’s second-most prolific scorer did not have to attend lengthy for his first recreation again after his summer time departure, however he endured a irritating evening in opposition to his outdated workforce. The Poland ahead, one of many world’s nice gamers throughout the previous decade, merely could not discover his taking pictures boots, regardless of being given a sequence of possibilities to attain.
Had he been capable of end in his regular scientific trend, Lewandowski would have silenced the Allianz Enviornment with a hat-trick even earlier than halftime. However Lewandowski’s radar was approach off and he did not take any of his alternatives. Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer denied him with a reflex save from a twentieth minute header, however Lewandowski ought to have scored moments earlier when he shot over the bar from ten yards after being teed up by Gavi.
Some last-ditch challenges by Dayot Upamecano and Noussair Mazraoui additionally denied Lewandowski when he had sight of purpose, but it surely was simply a type of nights when nothing went proper for the 34-year-old.
There was one good facet of the night, although. When he emerged for the pre-match warm-up, Lewandowski was given a rousing reception by the house followers. No boos or jeers, simply respect for his contribution to Bayern’s success — however that is all he left with.
3. Barcelona, Inter Milan now locked to complete second
Barcelona thought, or hoped, that their transient style of the Europa League after failing to qualify from their Champions League group final season was nothing greater than a one-off, however they could possibly be dealing with a repeat this time round Tuesday’s defeat.
There’s clearly no disgrace in being crushed by the perennial Bundesliga champions, however with Bayern now clear on the high of Group C with two wins from two video games, second place is shaping as much as be a straight combat between Barca and Internazionale.
Each of the European heavyweights have misplaced to Bayern however crushed Viktoria Plzen, so now it should all come all the way down to who does finest after they meet in back-to-back matchdays on Oct. 4 and 12. And with Inter internet hosting the primary recreation within the San Siro subsequent month, Barca know that they can’t afford one other defeat on the street after they journey to Italy.
Bayern, Barca and Inter are more likely to take most factors in opposition to Czech champions Plzen. So it is all on the road between Barca and Inter. Benfica have been capable of beat Barca to second spot within the group final season, however Inter are a stronger workforce. The Catalans are nonetheless in transition underneath Xavi, so the percentages favour the Nerrazzurri.
Bayern Munich: Manuel Neuer 7; Benjamin Pavard 6, Dayot Upamecano 7, Lucas Hernandez 7, Alphonso Davies 8; Kimmich 6, Marcel Sabitzer 6, Thomas Muller 7; Leroy Sane 7, Jamal Musiala Musiala 6, Sadio Mane 6.
Subs: Noussair Mazraoui 6, Leon Goretzka 8, Serge Gnabry 6, Mathys Tel 6, Ryan Gravenberch 6.
Barcelona: Marc-Andre ter Stegen 7; Jules Kounde 5, Ronaldo Araujo 6, Andreas Christensen 6, Marcos Alonso 5; Sergio Busquets 5, Pedri 6, Gavi 6; Raphinha 6, Ousmane Dembele 6, Robert Lewandowski 6.
Subs: Ferran Torres 6, Frenkie de Jong 6, Ansu Fati 6.
BEST: Leon Goretzka, Bayern Munich.
The Germany midfielder was solely launched as a halftime substitute, however he modified the sport for Bayern by including energy and journey to the house workforce’s midfield. Goretzka’s long-range shot, effectively saved by Marc Andre Ter Stegen, led on to the nook from which Lucas Hernandez scored Bayern’s opener.
WORST: Marcos Alonso, Barcelona.
The Barcelona defender was given a torrid time by Bayern’s Leroy Sane and seemed like any individual who was wishing he had remained at Chelsea for a quiet life on the substitutes’ bench. Alonso has by no means been fast, so it was a mismatch from the beginning in opposition to Sane.
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“This end result does not inform the true story. Our first half show merited rather more than 0-0 at half time. However after all in case you fail to place possibilities away in opposition to an enormous rival like Bayern you may find yourself paying.” — Barcelona’s Pedri
– Bayern Munich have scored 30 objectives in opposition to Barcelona within the Champions League. Paris Saint-Germain are in second, having scored 21 in opposition to the Catalans.
– Bayern have outscored Barcelona 19-4 of their final 5 Champions League clashes. It’s much more lopsided within the second half, with the Bavarian aspect have a 11-1 benefit in these matches.
– Bayern is the one workforce Barcelona have performed not less than thrice on the street within the Champions League and never walked out with a victory. It’s now seven matches and not using a win.
Bayern Munich: Again in motion within the Bundesliga the place they’re going to look to interrupt a stretch of three consecutive attracts in opposition to FC Augsburg on Saturday. Then the worldwide break adopted by a return to league motion in opposition to Bayer Leverkusen on Sept. 30. Their subsequent Champions League match might be on Oct. 4 at Viktoria Plzen.
Barcelona: At the very least they continue to be undefeated in LaLiga. The Catalans will look to shake off Tuesday’s loss in opposition to Elche at Camp Nou on Saturday. A visit to Mallorca on Sept. 1 following the worldwide break after which a troublesome Champions League match at Inter Milan on Oct. 4.