In Bayern Munich's 8-2 victory over Barcelona in the quarter-finals of the 2019-2020 Champions League, Thomas Muller scored the opening goal in the 4th minute, assisted by Robert Lewandowski. That is one of the stains that is difficult to erase for Cule.
That match also opened a period in which Barcelona was “suppressed” by the German team every time they met in the continental arena. Until the early morning of October 24…
The two teams meet in the third round of the 2024-2025 league stage, after many changes in recent years. Notably, Lewandowski and coach Hansi Flick are currently in the ranks of the Catalan team.
In 2020, in addition to assisting the opening goal, the Polish striker also contributed 1 goal. Early this morning, the 36-year-old striker also scored 1 goal. However, the most shining factor was Raphinha, with a hat-trick in Barca's 4-1 victory.
Even, as if in response - and also to gradually erase the pain of 2020, the Brazilian striker scored the opening goal before the clock had fully passed the first minute of play.
Given the captain's armband for Barca in this match, from a pass from Fermin Lopez, along with a faulty reaction from Joshua Kimmich, Raphinha escaped from midfield, accelerated, faced goalkeeper Manuel Neuer and handled the ball calmly before finishing to score the opening goal.
There are always high hopes when two of Europe's football giants meet and this clash certainly did not disappoint. Nine minutes after Bayern conceded, Harry Kane had the ball in the back of the Barca net, but his goal was ruled out for offside.
The German “Gray Tigers” were not deterred and officially equalized 8 minutes later. It was still Kane, with a sharp finish after a pass from Serge Gnabry.
Four years ago, when Lionel Messi was still in the squad, Barca had just a little less possession than their opponents (49% compared to 51%), but they had just eight shots in total (compared to their opponents' 26.
At the Olympic Stadium, Blaugrana only had 39% possession, but shot 12 times and only allowed 11 shots. Flick's presence on the coaching bench was the reason for that change.
After the equalizer, Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal had clear chances to score but missed. However, in the 36th minute, Lopez continued to play the role of the creator to help Lewandowski score.
Raphinha helped Barcelona end the first half with a two-goal lead when he received a great pass from Marc Casado, dribbled and shot the ball through Dayot Upamecano's legs, beyond Neuer's reach.
Early in the second half, Kim Min-jae saved Neuer after a poor pass, but in the end, Bayern were unable to stop Raphinha. The former Leeds United striker received a pass from Lamine Yamal, rushed forward and fired a precise shot to complete his hat-trick.
Coach Vincent Kompany responded by making four substitutions in the 60th minute, but none were effective. Bayern lost their second Champions League match of the season, and their third consecutive away defeat in European competition.
Meanwhile, with a 4-1 victory, Barcelona ended a streak of 6 consecutive losses against Bayern and is now in 10th place in the rankings after 3 rounds, equal on points with 6 other teams, including Real Madrid.
