Written By: Robin Van Paassen
Edited by: Cameron Schoffro
It has been just over a year since Bayern Munich's and Barcelona's paths crossed in the Champions League. A tepid night in Lisbon saw two European giants clash. For one side, it would be the collapse of their high-held legacy as the other got a closer glimpse of triumph. In a single-legged quarterfinal, Bayern attacked relentlessly. With no mercy shown, Barcelona was handed their worst defeat in 80 years. An 8-2 demolition broke the cracking wall of Camp Nou. The problems that were already imminent were now exposed entirely. Their opposition had much more fortune, Bayern went on to win the Champions League final in an intense match against Paris Saint Germain. Over the following year, both teams underwent transition periods, but how would they be prepared for their next meeting?
Starting with Barcelona, absolute shambles would be the two words to describe the club at the end of August 2020. Josep Bartomeu, the now ex-president of the organization, sunk Barcelona with 1.35 billion Euros of debt with hardly anything to show for it. Corruption led to his arrest. The club was at its lowest point of the century. All of this happening in a global pandemic meant the rebuild would be long and treacherous.
In the next 12 months, several players would take staggering pay cuts to aid the club that is barely staying afloat, with management continuously making costly mistakes. In the past year of transfers, Barcelona has seen the departure of Arthur for an experienced veteran in Miralem Pjanic, only to let him go on loan a year later. On free and loan transfer, Memphis Depay, Luuk de Jong, Sergio Agüero, and Eric García arrived. Despite acquiring all these players, Barca was unable to re-sign club legend, Lionel Messi. A catastrophic free transfer loss ensued. As for Barcelona's recent form, that slumped as well.
The lack of superstars bolstering the bench and field is ever more apparent. The talent of Barcelona's players during their golden era in the latter half of the 2000s and early 2010s is unrecognizable to what it is now. A shifting dynamic has led Barcelona to become a team of young talent looking up to veterans. The lack of players in their prime has dampened their competitive edge to winning La Liga. Especially with the departure of Messi, Depay has a longing hole to fill, he and Frenkie De Jong are the only two players currently in their prime. Either the players have lost their potential or are still on the verge of stardom. Simply put, Barcelona is in a dark spell, one that will take several campaigns to get them to become serial La Liga winners once again.
On the other end of the spectrum, there is Bayern. The German Powerhouse is still very much in form. Coming off a hot run winning the Treble, Bayern had a few things shaken up. Hansi Flick, the manager to do it all in his first season, was let go for international team coaching. Not to worry, Bayern signed Julian Nagelsmann from RB Leipzig alongside Dayot Upamecano and Marcel Sabitzer. With Leroy Sané also swooping into the picture in the previous transfer window, Bayern has plenty of super subs to play.
Domestically and across Europe, Bayern has repeatedly proven that they can compete at the top. On the verge of their 10th Bundesliga title, they shred through their closest rivals with ease at times. Playing aggressive football, Bayern predominantly aims to keep the ball in the other team's half. Clinical finishing in the final third sets opponents behind before they even get started. Forefronted by world-class striker Robert Lewandowski being as lethal as he is, Bayern and Co look to maintain their reign into this campaign and many to follow.
Stacking up one on one, Bayern has the clear upper hand on Barcelona heading into this Champions League campaign. With shocking same group picks, Bayern and Barcelona were due for a rematch.
Coming into the match, Bayern and Barcelona were both enjoying runs in their respective leagues. But this match clearly showed what side had the experience and strength. Right off the getgo, Bayern played the ball up the pitch pressuring the defence early on. Tenacious possession and passing led to numerous early chances. With Lewandowski, Sane, and Musiala threatening in the final third, a goal was bound to happen. In the 34th minute, that chance came as Thomas Muller rifled a shot just from the penalty box with a massive deflection off of García and in. Goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen went the wrong direction as Barcelona was progressing. Despite each side having 88% passing accuracy and almost equal possession, it was clear which side created the momentum in the opposing half; Barcelona showed no control in Bayern's half. They played back in their half, letting pressure build on them. Even when Barcelona played the ball up the field, the game sense of Upamecano and Alphonso Davies kept any chances outside of the box.
In the opposing half, Bayern lingered near the final third ready to pounce on any given opportunity. Even with little of their through balls connecting, Bayern landed seventeen shots and seven on target. Bayern eventually knocked on the doorstep; in the 56th minute, Jamal Musiala's attempt ricocheted off the post and right into Lewandowski's path, where he slotted in an easy finish.
Barcelona's bench lacked the overall talent that Bayern provided in all areas. Bringing on youngsters like Alejandro Baldé, Gavi, and Yusuf Demir lit a spark to the game, but the inexperience was far off of Bayern's intensity. Despite not being as precise in finishing as usual times, Bayern sealed the game in the 85th minute with Lewandowski sliding it past the keeper and two defenders into the net.
A comfortable 3-0 win for Bayern certainly has telling signs that Ronald Koeman still has ways to go before his side levels up against top European competition once again. As for Bayern, it was a phenomenal all-around performance. If they can clean up their act in the box, they certainly have the chance to repeat their 2019-20 Champions League run.
Works Cited
Bayern debacle was Barcelona's worst defeat in almost 80 years. Hindustan Times. (2020, August 15). Retrieved September 20, 2021, from https://www.hindustantimes.com/football/bayern-debacle-was-barcelona-s-worst-defeat-in-almost-80-years/story-Zok9KQbLVckPimPCHaSL3L.html#:~:text=Barcelona%20was%20humiliated%2C%20humbled%2C%20and,defeats%20in%20their%20glorious%20history.
Bayern Munich - Club profile. Transfermarkt. (n.d.). Retrieved September 20, 2021, from https://www.transfermarkt.us/fc-bayern-munchen/startseite/verein/27.
FC Barcelona - Club profile. Transfermarkt. (n.d.). Retrieved September 20, 2021, from https://www.transfermarkt.us/fc-barcelona/startseite/verein/131.
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