Barcelona vs Bayern Munich – Match preview and team news | OneFootball

There is a mouth-watering fixture on matchday three in the Champions League tonight as Barcelona take on Bayern Munich in Catalonia.

Between them, the two clubs have been crowned European champions on 11 occasions, though Bayern have dominated recent meetings between the sides.

A run of six straight victories over Barcelona includes an infamous 8-2 win in 2020 and Barcelona will be out for revenge after a wretched recent record against the German giants.

For Barcelona manager Hansi Flick, it will be the first time he has faced his former since since leave Bayern Munich in 2021.

Wojciech Szczesny could make his first appearance in a Barcelona shirt after reversing retirement, to deputise for Marc-Andre ter Stegen whilst he endures a lengthy spell out with a cruciate ligament injury.

The goalkeeper is joined on the treatment table by a whole host of first-team talent including Andreas Christensen, Ferran Torres and Ronald Araujo.

Bayern will be without Aleksandar Pavlovic’s services after the 20-year-old departed the field inside eight minutes of the weekend over Stuttgart with a broken collarbone.

Barcelona vs Bayern Munich – Match preview and team news

Form

Barcelona: WLWWW

Hansi Flick’s side are leading La Liga and have only dropped three points from ten matches.

Barcelona have scored 33 goals in those matches, averaging out at more than three per game and 12 more than any other club.

At the weekend, Barcelona built upon their goal difference by beating Sevilla 5-1, with Robert Lewandowski and Pablo Torre each grabbing a brace.

It has not been as plain sailing in the Champions League however, as they fell to a 2-1 loss away at Monaco on opening night. Flick’s side responded well to thrash Young Boys 5-0 a fortnight later.

At 36, Lewandowksi has netted 14 times in 12 appearances this season, including two in the Champions League. Bayern will be aiming to keep their former marksman quiet.

Bayern Munich: WDLDW

Harry Kane bagged his third hat-trick of the campaign at the weekend as he put three past Stuttgart in 4-0 win for Bayern.

Prior to that result, Vincent Kompany’s side had gone three games without victory including a 1-0 loss at Aston Villa in the Champions League.

After annihilating Dinamo Zagreb 9-1 on opening night, Bayern looked a shadow of themselves at Villa Park as Jhon Duran struck the decisive.

They currently top the Bundesliga after seven games played, ahead of RB Leipzig on goal difference.

Last Meeting: Barcelona 0-3 Bayern Munich, Champions League, 26th October 2022

Bayern Munich completed a double over the Spaniards to top a shared group during the 2022/23 season.

Sadio Mane netted the opener inside ten minutes after Serge Gnabry had split the Barcelona defence open with an incisive pass.

The Senegalese international outsprinted Hector Bellerin before delicately finishing past the onrushing Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

Gnbary was the architect again for Bayern’s second, as the German slipped in Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting who ruthlessly fired past the ‘keeper.

The three points were wrapped up in the fifth minute of second-half stoppage time as Benjamin Pavard was left unmarked to convert his first Champions League goal.

Predicted lineups

Barcelona: Inaki Pena; Kounde, Pau Cubarsi, Inigo Martinez, Balde; De Jong, Pedri; Yamal, Dani Olmo, Raphinha; Lewandowski.

Bayern Munich: Neuer; Laimer, Upamecano, Kim, Davies; Kimmich, Joao Palhinha; Olise, Muller, Gnabry; Kane.

Who is the referee?

Slovenian referee Slavko Vinčić will be the match official. He will be assisted by Tomasž Klančnik and Andraž Kovačić while Rade Obrenovič will be the fourth official. The VAR is Tomasz Kwiatkowski and he will be assisted by Piotr Lasyk.

What channel is Barcelona vs Bayern Munich on?

Barcelona vs Bayern Munich will be able to watch on TNT Sports 4, TNT Sports 5 and Discovery+.

What time is kick off?

Kick-off at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys will be at 20:00 BST on Wednesday 23rd October 2024.

Odds

Barcelona – 11/8

Draw – 14/5

Bayern Munich – 17/10

Read – Champions League highlights: Stunning Real comeback, Villa roll on, Pulisic’s Olimpico

See more – Five of the best players to play for Barcelona and Bayern Munich

Follow The Football Faithful on Social Media:

Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | TikTok