Barcelona vs Bayern Munich: Champions League team news and prediction
Barcelona and Bayern resume rivalries in one of the blockbuster ties of the opening round of Champions League group stage games.
Ahead of this monster showdown, we provide all the pre-match information, including what time the game kicks off, where to watch the match, team news and probable XIs...
When is kick off?
Tuesday 14th September, 20:00 GMT
Where is the match?
Camp Nou, Barcelona (Spain)
What TV channel is it on?
BT Sport 3
We don't need to remind fans of the score the last time these two met. In fact, we're sure Barcelona supporters would 8-2 remember that game... we'll show ourselves out. Thomas Muller put Bayern ahead with four minutes gone, but the lead lasted just three minutes as a David Alaba own goal drew the Blaugrana level.
However, that did little but antagonise Bayern, who went in at the break 4-1 up courtesy of goals from Ivan Perisic, Serge Gnabry and Muller in the space of 10 first half minutes. Luis Suarez gave Barcelona a glimmer of hope 12 minutes into the second half, but Bayern were rampant in the final half hour.
Joshua Kimmich restored Bayern's three-goal advantage before Robert Lewandowski got in on the act with eight minutes to go. Philippe Coutinho, who was on loan at Bayern from Barcelona, scored a brace against his parent club to cap a miserable evening for Barcelona.
Team News
Jordi Alba and Sergino Dest are both doubts for the home side, with the former the more likely to start. Sergi Roberto is expected to deputise for the latter at right-back. Ronald Koeman has injury concerns in the final third with attacking quartet Ousmane Dembele, Sergio Aguero, Ansu Fati and Martin Braithwaite all sidelined. Luuk de Jong, who joined from Sevilla on deadline day, is expected to make his debut here, while Philippe Coutinho may make his first appearance of the campaign.
Serge Gnabry came off at the break in Bayern Munich's 4-1 win at RB Leipzig on Saturday and will be assessed, with Jamal Musiala, who replaced his compatriot in Leipzig, backed to deputise on the right. Corentino Tolisso and Kingsley Coman are both sidelined for the Bavarian powerhouse, while Benjamin Pavard is set to start his second game of the season after lasting 75 minutes at the weekend following his return from injury.
Probable XIs
Barcelona (433) - Ter Stegen; Roberto, Araujo, Pique, Alba; Pedri, Busquets, F. De Jong; Coutinho, L. De Jong, Depay
Bayern Munich (4231) - Neuer; Pavard, Upamecano, Hernandez, Davies; Kimmich, Goretzka; Musiala, Muller, Sane; Lewandowski
Key Battle: Memphis Depay vs Robert Lewandowski
Memphis Depay has made a superb start to life in a Barcelona shirt, having a direct hand in a goal in all three league outings for the Blaugrana, scoring twice. The Dutch forward maintained his exceptional form over the international break, scoring five and assisting one in back-to-back 10 performances against Montenegro and Turkey. Depay has faced Bayern just once in his career, but his Lyon side was on the receiving end of a 3-0 home loss to the German side in 2020.
Robert Lewandowski was on the scoresheet in that game and has scored two goals in three meetings with Barcelona in his career, including the aforementioned 8-2 win at Camp Nou. Like Depay in La Liga, Lewandowski has been excellent in the Bundesliga this season, scoring six times from his four outings, and was also superb for Poland earlier this month as he had a direct hand in six goals in his three international outings.
Score Prediction: Barcelona 1-2 Bayern Munich
