Date: Tuesday 14th September, 2021
Time: 8:00 pm
Stadium Camp Nou
Referee Michael Oliver (England)
Goal Scorer:
Team News
Barcelona
Barcelona are missing some significant firepower in the form of Sergio Aguero, Ansu Fati and Ousmane Dembele. All three have been ruled out due to injury, which further complicates problems for a Barca attack that has already faced criticism for being too predictable.
Memphis Depay has been the lone bright star in an otherwise dire and toothless offensive unit. But now with Martin Braithwaite out with a serious injury, the Dutchman will have to play alongside the injury-plagued Philippe Coutinho and the much-maligned new signing Luuk de Jong. Yusuf Demir is an interesting option, but Koeman has appeared reluctant to put his faith in makeshift wingers like him.
In the midfield department, Koeman is fortunate enough to have the preferred trio of Sergio Busquets, Frenkie de Jong and Pedri available. It appears likely that Busquets will slot in between the centre-backs during defensive phases while the onus of providing creativity in the final third will be on Pedri and de Jong.
Barcelona’s overwhelming focus on playing from the centre, though, could hurt their chances of breaching the Bayern Munich backline. As such, it will be interesting to see Koeman utilise his two fullbacks.
Busquets dropping deep will allow the two wide defenders to march forward. But unfortunately, both Jordi Alba and Sergino Dest are doubts heading into this game. While there is optimism over Alba making the starting eleven, the same cannot be said for Dest, who is likely to be replaced by the more defensive-minded Oscar Mingueza.
The young defender should play a vital role in offering aid to the central defenders in Ronald Araujo and Gerard Pique, who remains likely to make the starting eleven despite his knock against Athletic Bilbao. His experience will go a long way in helping Barca remain resilient at the back and provide cover for Marc Andre ter Stegen in between the sticks.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): ter Stegen; Mingueza, Araujo, Pique, Alba; Pedri, Busquets, F.de Jong; Depay, L.de Jong, Coutinho
Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich won’t have to deal with too many injury problems heading into this game, but their key player Serge Gnabry did pick up a knock against Leipzig. He remains a doubt for Tuesday, potentially joining Kingsley Coman and Corentin Tolisso in the club’s list of absentees for this game.
Fortunately for Nagelsmann, he has an ideal replacement in the form of Jamal Musiala. The former Chelsea prodigy has set the Bundesliga alight with his exploits in the final third and is expected to replace Gnabry at right-wing. He will form Bayern’s creative trifecta alongside Thomas Muller and the now in-form Leroy Sane.
The Bavarian attack, on the other hand, should be spearheaded by none other than Robert Lewandowski. Already a scorer of eight goals in five competitive appearances, the Polish international was taken off early in the Leipzig game. He will be hungry to kickstart his Champions League campaign on a positive note this midweek.
Much like Lewandowski, Leon Goretzka, too, was subbed relatively early by Nagelsmann to keep him fresh for the Barcelona clash. The former Schalke midfielder is set to renew his partnership with Joshua Kimmich at the base of Bayern’s 4-2-3-1.
However, things get way more interesting department, where the club has recently been boosted by the return of Lucas Hernandez and Benjamin Pavard. It gives Nagelsmann an interesting decision to make, knowing he could unleash Alphonso Davies, the left-back, by adding an extra body in defence rather than a traditional fullback on the right hand side.
This is where Niklas Sule comes into the fray and may even operate as a right-back, with Hernandez and Dayot Upamecano operating alongside. It will allow Bayern to switch to a back-three when necessary, with Davies joining in attack and Hernandez and Sule moving into a bit wider role.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Neuer; Sule, Upamecano, Hernandez, Davies; Kimmich, Goretzka; Musiala, Muller, Sane; Lewandowski
Quote
Key Stats
This is the first meeting between Barcelona and Bayern Munich since the 2019/20 UEFA Champions League quarter-final, an 8-2 win for Munich in what was Barca’s heaviest defeat since April 1951, a 6-0 reverse against Espanyol.
In all major European competition, Barcelona have lost seven matches against Bayern Munich, three more than they have against any other side (P11 W2 D2 L7). Their two wins against the Bavarians came in home first-leg Champions League knockout ties, 4-0 in April 2009 and 3-0 in May 2015.
Barcelona and Bayern Munich haven’t met in the UEFA Champions League group stages since 1998/99, with Barca losing both matches and going out after finishing third in the group that year, one of only three instances of the Catalonian side going out in the group stages, along with 1997/98 and 2000/01.
Bayern Munich are unbeaten in their last 18 away Champions League matches, their longest undefeated run in the history of the European Cup/Champions League.
Barcelona haven’t lost their opening match in a Champions League campaign since going down 3-2 at St. James’ Park against Newcastle United in 1997/98 under Louis van Gaal – they are unbeaten in their opening match in 22 campaigns since (W17 D5).
This is the first meeting between Barcelona and Bayern Munich since the 2019/20 UEFA Champions League quarter-final, an 8-2 win for Munich in what was Barca’s heaviest defeat since April 1951, a 6-0 reverse against Espanyol.
In all major European competition, Barcelona have lost seven matches against Bayern Munich, three more than they have against any other side (P11 W2 D2 L7). Their two wins against the Bavarians came in home first-leg Champions League knockout ties, 4-0 in April 2009 and 3-0 in May 2015.
Barcelona and Bayern Munich haven’t met in the UEFA Champions League group stages since 1998/99, with Barca losing both matches and going out after finishing third in the group that year, one of only three instances of the Catalonian side going out in the group stages, along with 1997/98 and 2000/01.
Bayern Munich are unbeaten in their last 18 away Champions League matches, their longest undefeated run in the history of the European Cup/Champions League.
Barcelona haven’t lost their opening match in a Champions League campaign since going down 3-2 at St. James’ Park against Newcastle United in 1997/98 under Louis van Gaal – they are unbeaten in their opening match in 22 campaigns since (W17 D5).
Prediction: Barcelona 1-3 Bayern Munich
| Posted: at | |
Mrsalima
TRENDING GISTS 
NAFDAC Uncover Illegal Activities Of Fake Cosmetics Producer In Lagos
VIDEO: Carter Efe Calls Out Sydney Talker Over Singer, Khaid’s Health Status
Afrobeats Musician, Davido Gifts Chioma Thousands Of Dollars As Early Birthday Gift
"I am Afraid Of Coming To Court Because The EFCC Will Arrest Me" - Yahaya Bello
SAD: Five Missing Children Found Suffocated To Death Inside Car In Niger State