Bayern Munich extended their H2H record in the UEFA Champions League (UCL) against FC Barcelona to five in a row with a superb display in the second half, picking up a 2-0 win. It was Barca’s first defeat since May and ended a 14-match unbeaten run.
FC Bayern Munich condemned Barcelona to be knocked out of the group stage for the first time since 2000/01 with a 3-0 home win last season in their last game, but with club legend Robert Lewandowski, now playing at Barca, going to do so. so it will never be easy to cope with a rejuvenated away team. It took the visitors less than 10 minutes to show their strength when star midfielder Pedri forced Manuel Neuer into a brilliant left-footed save. Lewandowski’s return to his former homeland proved almost to fruition from the start, when a fine pass from Gavi fired his shot just inches over the bar before heading straight for Neuer from close range.
As the Reds struggled to make a name for themselves, perhaps influenced by their lethargic home form, Marcel Sabitzer came close to turning things around after half the hour when his shot from outside the box went wide from the left post. Although the last time they lost at home in the UCL group stage was almost a decade ago – against Manchester City in 2013 – Bayern can certainly consider themselves lucky to go into the break on equal terms, knowing that they could only concede an inspired performance in the second half. can help. positive result.
Barca, who had been ahead for 50 minutes, were hit straight after the restart. Lucas Hernandez put Bayern ahead from a superb corner from Joshua Kimmich before Leroy Sane sent the Allianz Arena into an uproar with a fine solo and skillful finish. A fine run and a clever one-two with Lewandowski kept Pedri ahead for the hour, only to see his elegant touch bounce off the post, much to the chagrin of manager Xavi Hernandez.
Although the Blaugranas pushed back towards the end in search of a consolation goal, they returned to Spain empty-handed. They will be sorely disappointed after a fantastic but goalless first-half display and succumb to a ninth loss in UCL H2H to an inspired Bayern side who have extended their unbeaten run to 25 games in the host group UCL – an incredible record, unmatched by any other. other. team in Europe.