Sadio Mane Eric Maxim Chuopo, Eric Maxim Chuopo Moting as well as Benjamin Pavard all scored as Bayern Munich swept aside Barcelona in a 3-0 victory in Barcelona’s Camp Nou.
The Catalans started their campaign with the knowledge that they had been exiled from this season’s Champions League due to Inter’s victory 4-0 over Viktoria Plzen in the early start.
Bayern put the pressure on Barcelona with a goal after just 10 minutes of play, Mane running away from the defence of the home team to score a beautiful finish through Marc-Andre Stegen.
Chuopo Moting doubled his German Champion’s lead shortly after the half-hour mark , and Bayern yet again proved difficult to stay the back of Barca.
Barcelona seemed to be granted a chance to win in the closing minutes of the first period when Matthijs de Ligt was penalised for a foul committed against Robert Lewandowski inside the box however, VAR was able to overturn the penalty.
VAR intervened to block the third Bayern Munich goal from Serge Gnabry before the Bavarians added the final finish to the game in the final minute of stoppage time, when Pavard scored from a missed Gnabry shot.
Barca was exposed by this year’s Champions League again
On the other hand, domestically Barcelona are a solid defensive unit, and Xavi’s side have conceded only four goals in the 11 La Liga games. However, the story is different during the Champions League, though, in which Barca has conceded 10 goals in the span of just five games.
Opposition teams have discovered it easy to sneak into the Barcelona defense, as is evident by the two first Bayern Munich goals in this game.
Xavi may need to reconsider his defensive line up high in playing in the Champions League.
Chuopo-Moting provides Bayern the balance they need
Once thought of as a backup option as well as a team player in The Allianz Arena, Chuopo-Moting has become a pivotal player in the game of Bayern Munich in recent matches with the former Stoke City forward once again doing admirably.
The goal was scored by Chuopo Moting, Bayern’s 2nd of the game However, Julian Nagelsmann is sure to be awed by the way the Cameroonian provides his team with a an even balance in the attacking section of the field. This may not be an ideal solution for the long term However, Chuopo Moting is one of Bayern’s best team at the moment in time.
The role of Musiala is crucial to Nagelsmann’s Bayern
Bayern have a lot of options when it comes to attack options, but Jamal Musiala has emerged as the most crucial player for them this season.
The 19-year old is the key to the foundation that Nagelsmann is creating with his moves, which gives the German champions a new dimension in the third of the field.
Without Musiala Barcelona could have been able to outnumber Bayern in the middle of the field, but the youngster was quick to dive deep and assist. He was the first to move forward to assist Chuopo-Moting, in yet another example of the quality of his play.
Goals:
1-0 BAY – Sadio Mane – 10 mins
2-0 BAY – Eric Maxim Chuopo-Moting – 31 mins
3-0 BAY – Benjamin Pavard – 90+4 mins
Barcelona against. Bayern Munich live updates Highlights from Champions League
90+4 minutes ALL TIME Barcelona 1 Bayern Munich 3 – A comfortable win to Bayern Munich on the night which saw Barcelona had to be eliminated in the first round of the Champions League. The Catalans will move to the Europa League after Christmas.
90+4 mins: GOAL! Barcelona 0. Bayern Munich 3 (Pavard) The final touches to the victory in the favor of Bayern Munich as Pavard sneaks through at the back of the net to score past Ter Stegen.
90 minutes The game will have four hours of time-out after the match.
87 minutes: Lewandowski went off five minutes ago and only could get a touch of the goal for Barcelona tonight. Bayern Munich were able to block the supply line to their former center forward. Overall, Barca have been toothless.
85 minutes: The match ended in the second period. First half of the match was a thrilling game, but Bayern Munich showed their quality with two fantastic goals with Mane and the Chuopo-Moting. Barcelona had to leave immediately after the match.
82 mins: Barcelona sub – Lewandowski OFF, Torre ON
80 minutes: Gnabry denied! Kimmich spots Gnabry off to the left side of the field, however, Ter Stegen is quick to stop from Gnabry. Bayern Munich attacker.
76 minutes: The second half display was a bit jumbled by Bayern Munich who have taken their foot off the gas somewhat. Yet, Barcelona are struggling to stop them despite having a lot of possession in their opponents half.
74 minutes: The shifts from Xavi have energized Barcelona. They’re the ones who dictate the game right now, and have produced some decent half-chances and that included the chance to Ansu just a few minutes ago.
70 mins: Ansuuuuu… wide! It’s almost like an instant impact from Ansu who slaps his opponent in his Bayern Munich box to create an opportunity to shoot, but his shot goes off the post!
69 minutes: Barcelona subs – Dembele and Kounde OFF, Ansu and Garcia On
67 mins: Bayern Munich sub – Musiala OFF, Gravenberch ON
65 minutes: Ferran almost to be in! The first kick by Ferran, the Barcelona player pushed the ball away from his hands, but it is pushed through to Ulreich, and the chance is lost.
64 minutes: Bayern chance! Musiala made the pass in the middle to get the running of Mane however, the former Liverpool player didn’t get the right connections with his strike. Barcelona remain in the game. This was not difficult for German champions.
62 mins: Bayern Munich sub – Chuopo-Moting OFF, Muller ON
61 minutes: Barcelona have just made two changes to their attacking style, however the way they play suggests that this is now an attempt to limit damage for the Catalans. They’re sitting in deep and allow Bayern Munich to have plenty of ball.
59 minutes: Barca subs – Busquets and Pedri off, Raphinha and Torres ON
56 minutes: Goal disallowed! Gnabry was not offside when the ball was played by Kimmich. Therefore, the goal was disallowed!
55 mins: GOAL! Barcelona 1 Bayern Munich 3 (Gnabry) The third goal of the game is a stunning one scored by Bayern Munich! Kimmich makes a play for Gnabry in the box, and the German player bends his wing to create a stunning shot into the top edge in the Barcelona net!
53 minutes Opportunity for Busquets! Pedri re-directs the ball to Busquets, who is on his left side of the field however, his Barcelona midfielder was off his balance and shot far enough to miss the target!
51 minutes: Barcelona were presented with an opportunity to score on the fast break. They were in a two-on-one position however Dembele takes the wrong choice, which means Bayern Munich can clean things out at the back.
46 minutes: No changes were made by either manager before the break. It’s not unexpected from the Bayern Munich perspective as things are going well for them, but it’s a bit unexpected to find out that Xavi isn’t making any adjustments for the Barcelona team.
45 minutes The second half is underway! Barcelona are 2-0 down to Bayern Munich 2-0 after the first 45 minutes.
HALF TIME READING Barca will join the Europa League after Christmas, which means who would they be facing? Learn about their possible opponent here!
45+ minutes: HALF TIME: Barcelona 1 Bayern Munich 2 – Goals from Mane and Chuopo-Moting gave Barcelona the German champions a lead of two goals at half-time. It’s a long distance for Barcelona from this point.
45 mins: There is no penalty! The VAR check indicates de Ligt wins the ball and the penalty kick was rescinded!
44 minutes: PENALTY TO BARCELONA! De Ligt gets in trouble with Lewandowski in the box, and the referee marks the spot!
42 minutes: BOOKING – Busquets (Barcelona). The midfielder pushes back Musiala during the break, and it’s a simple decision for the official.
40 minutes: Upamecano fouls Busquets and the Bayern Munich centre back needs be cautious as the player is already booked. A red card could alter the pace of the game.
38 minutes: It’s interesting that Lewandowski has had barely an opportunity to play in this game. Bayern Munich have done such an impressive job in stopping the former number 9 from coming at the end of any chance.
35 mins: BOOKING – Upamecano (Bayern Munich). The French player gets booked on suspicion of a rough play committed against Pedri.
33 minutes: Xavi needs to rethink the high defensive line. This is the ninth goal Barcelona had conceded to the Champions League this season and it’s a lot too easy for opposition players to penetrate their backline.
31 mins: GOAL! Barcelona 1 Bayern Munich 2 (Chuopo-Moting) This is the third Bayern Munich goal and this time, it’s Chuopo Moting who drives into the goal! Another time and again, the Barca defense is held so high, and Bayern is brutally exposed once more!
29 minutes: Musiala is such an important player for Bayern Munich. He is a viable option to attack when the German champions are in possession and also plays in midfield to ensure they don’t end up in the middle of the field.
27 minutes: Barcelona are struggling to make anything happen. They’re frustrated, but this is Dembele who has been tripped by Davies. The referee has all his playing cards inside his pocket which could have resulted in booked.
24 minutes: Musiala has the opportunity to break the deadlock following a quick freekick but Bayern Munich decide to turn back to keep possession. They’re playing a clever game thus far. Barcelona struggle to create opportunities.
21 mins: BOOKING – Goretzka (Bayern Munich). The midfielder is given an yellow card for kicking Busquets in the middle the field.
19 minutes: Shot over the bar! Musiala feeds a ball into Chuopo-Moting in the box, however, Chuopo-Moting’s Bayern Munich striker scuffs his shot comfortably away from the goal. He could have done better than the pass, but he’s not happy with it.
16 minutes: Pedri tries to squeeze into Lewandowski But Kimmich is able to make the catch and you feel the impression that Barcelona have lost some of the energy in early in the game. Bayern Munich are squeezing the life out of the team.
11 minutes The game was simply enough to Bayern Munich. Barcelona provided them with far too enough time and space create the pass and it was simple for Mane to sneak in behind. A terrible defense against the Catalans.
10 mins: GOAL! Barcelona 1 Bayern Munich 1 (10′ Mane) Mane) Mane) Bayern Munich make the breakthrough and Mane is able to put the ball into at the bottom of the net! Gnabry made the pass the back and Mane was quick to get through and clip a fine finish past Ter Stegen!
6 minutes: It appears like Pedri may be playing on the left in the Barcelona XI. The formation used by Xavi isn’t easy to figure out, as the team isn’t comprised of two wingers, as was the norm in many matches this season.
3 minutes: Kessie played well in Barcelona’s victory against Athletic Club at the weekend and has been given an opportunity by Xavi to start at the beginning of tonight. Barca attempt to keep the ball in the middle of the field.
1 min: The game is in progress in the Camp Nou! The match is Barcelona playing Bayern Munich in this Champions League match!
5 minutes to go before the KO: What kind of match can we expect in the Camp Nou? It’s possible that this will be quite flat considering it’s the case that Barcelona or Bayern Munich already know their destiny in this season’s Champions League.
20 minutes to kick off: BARCELONA have been eliminated from the Champions League! The full-time whistle has been blown for Inter’s 4-0 win against Viktoria Plzen which means no whatever transpires at Camp Nou this evening Barca will be dropped into the Europa League after Christmas
30 minutes until the KO: Both teams go into the game in excellent performance in the domestic arena, however Barcelona has struggled to get success during the Champions League. Xavi will be scrutinized after not guiding the Catalans to the final 16 of the tournament. Bayern On their side have won four of the four games played so far.
45 mins until start: Barcelona’s participation the current Champions League is hanging by a thread , and it could end when this game begins. They had to Inter to concede points on home turf to Viktoria Plzen… and are currently ahead by 3-0!
60 minutes until Choupo-Moting begins for Bayern! Nagelsmann has stuck to the attacking style that has proven to be a success to this team. German Champions in the recent games!
Bayern Munich XI – Ulreich (GK) – Mazraoui, De Ligt, Upamecano, Davies – Goretzka, Kimmich – Gnabry, Musiala, Mane – Choupo-Moting.
75 mins to KO: Kessie starts for Barca! Xavi has altered his team to play this game and the former midfielder will be in the middle of the field in the evening’s game.
Barcelona XI – Ter Stegen (GK) – Bellerin, Kounde, Marcos Alonso, Balde – De Jong, Busquets, Kessie, Pedri – Dembele, Lewandowski.
90 minutes until the KO: Hello and we’d like to welcome you to The Sporting News’ live coverage of the Champions League fixture between Barcelona and Bayern Munich. Will the Catalans achieve the win they require to salvage their hopes of getting into the final 16 of the competition?
Barcelona vs. Bayern Munich lineups
Xavi hasn’t yet found his best defense, and he has been shuffled in the back to prepare for his Champions League match against Bayern Munich
Hector Bellerin is fit again and has been preferred over Sergi Roberto as right back as Alejandro Balde comes back into the squad as a left back.
Barcelona XI (4-4-2): Ter Stegen (GK) – Bellerin, Kounde, Marcos Alonso, Balde – De Jong, Busquets, Kessie, Pedri – Dembele, Lewandowski.
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting played in the two previous matches as the ninth man and is still on the Bayern Munich attack with Sadio Mane also joining the starting XI for the match.
Lucas Hernandez and Leroy Sane have been ruled out with injuries, Leroy Sane and Lucas Hernandez are both injured, with Manuel Neuer also missing for the Bavarians.
Bayern Munich XI (4-2-3-1): Ulreich (GK) – Mazraoui, De Ligt, Upamecano, Davies – Goretzka, Kimmich – Gnabry, Musiala, Mane – Choupo-Moting.
