Bayern cruise past Barcelona 3-0 on Lewandowski brace, Muller strike.
Bayern Munich beat Barcelona 3-0 in their Champions League opener on Tuesday, with two goals from Robert Lewandowski and one from Thomas Muller, highlighting the difference in quality between the two teams once again.
In the 34th minute, Muller gave Bayern the lead with a shot from beyond the box that rebounded off Barca defender Eric Garcia and fooled goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
Bayern’s second goal came in the 54th minute when Lewandowski tapped in from close range after Jamal Musiala had hit the post, as Bayern made a flying start after the break, encircling their opponents in their own half.
In the 85th minute, the Polish striker twisted the knife even further into Barcelona, gathering the ball in the area after another effort had hit the post and torturing the defense before calmly beating Ter Stegen in the Group E match.
The result was not as bad as Bayern’s 8-2 thrashing in the quarterfinals two seasons ago, but Barca’s performance was just as bad, as they were regularly dispossessed and failed to deal with the visitors’ energy.
Although the audience was restricted to 40,000 because of coronavirus limitations, Barca had a good start in their first Champions League game in front of fans at the Camp Nou since December 2019, there were fewer spectators in attendance due to a lack of hunger for the post-Lionel Messi era.
But Bayern quickly asserted their dominance, and it took a powerful hand from Ter Stegen to deny Leroy Sane from putting the Germans ahead, while Gerard Pique had to dive across the pitch to prevent Musiala from scoring.
In the first half, Barcelona’s lone genuine chance came from a free-kick, with defender Ronald Araujo meeting Memphis Depay’s cross and headed narrowly over the bar.
Muller, who scored twice in Bayern’s 8-2 thrashing of Barcelona in Lisbon and now has seven goals against the Catalans in Europe’s premier tournament, finally gave Bayern the lead their performance deserved.
At halftime, there was loud booing, but the hosts’ situation became direr after the interval, and towards the conclusion of the game, Barca supporters were cynically cheering the team whenever they recovered the ball, resigned to their destiny.
“We came here to win this game, and we knew we had to respect Barcelona,” Lewandowski said. “They are always
scary when you play against them at the Camp Nou.” But we controlled the game and demonstrated that we
were in it for the three points.”
Lewandowski’s scoring streak in all club competitions now stands at 18 games. Muller’s goal was his 49th in
Champions League plays, with seven of them coming against Barcelona.
He has scored more goals against Barcelona than any other player in the tournament.
Muller remarked, “It’s a lot of fun playing here, the guys loved it.” “Winning 3-0 here sends a very significant
message. We’re very happy. We gave very little away at the defense, and we could have scored one or two more goals moving forward.”
Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman admitted that there was a skill gap on the pitch, pointing out that his team was missing injured players Sergio Aguero, Ousmane Dembele, and Ansu Fati.
“I can’t fault the team’s mentality, but there is a difference in quality.”
One club that has been playing against us for a long time, with a lot of young players who will be better in two or three years.
It’s tough to accept, but we’re hopeful that things will improve and that individuals will recover from their injuries.
Players range in age from 19 to 20. When you compare it to Bayern’s situation, you can see the disparity. With time, the disparity will narrow.”
With the Camp Nou almost full, the supporters vented their frustrations on Sergi Roberto, who had a forgettable performance playing out of position at right full-back and was replaced in the 60th minute.
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“Bayern is a rock-solid team, and we are who we are.” It’s just the way it is. We had a large number of children on towards the end. But we’re Barca, and I’m not going to make excuses.
After the game, Barca captain Pique remarked, “We’ll see at the conclusion of the season.”
“It pains me a lot because I know him as a person; he’s a wonderful human being who loves this club beyond everything else.”
I’d want to point out that he’s not a full-back himself, and that he’s making a significant sacrifice by playing there. Pique said of his buddy, “It hurts a lot.”
Roberto was also defended by Koeman, who said, “I never appreciate people whistling a player.” All of the players have done their hardest to offer their all.
“The only problem is Sergi was playing in a position where he would not play if other players were available.” To play on the wing farther forward,
you have to be excellent one-on-one, fast… he’s a different kind of player.”
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Bayern cruise past Barcelona 3-0 on Lewandowski brace, Muller strike