Showdown as Lewandowski, Flick, re-unite with former employers Bayern.

2024-10-17

Under the floodlights of the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, Barcelona hosts Bayern Munich in a high-stakes UEFA Champions League clash, where former Bayern heroes Hansi Flick and Robert Lewandowski aim to reverse recent fortunes against their old club.

FC Barcelona

A brace from Robert Lewandowski (24’ P., 39’) and Pedro (82’, 88’) helped Barcelona sweep Sevilla aside at the weekend in a 5-1 win, extending their winning streak to three games in a row across all competitions [WLWWW].

Hansi Flick’s side will head off to one of the most anticipated fixtures of the UCL Match Day 3 when they take on Bayern on home turf. Barca bounced back with a 5-0 win over Young Boys after an opening day 2-1 shock defeat to Monaco, having gone down to 10 men moments after kick-off.

Barcelona have only three points in the revamped league phase of the competition and sit in 16th place, just below Wednesday’s opponents, Bayern Munich. While climbing up the table is the objective, Barca’s head-to-head record offers little confidence against Bayern, as they are currently on a six-game losing streak against them.

In addition, Barcelona have only lost more consecutive games in all competitions against Real Madrid between 1962 and 1965, seven in a row. However, Hansi Flick will be hoping to overcome these disappointing numbers when he faces his former employers, whom he led to a treble, including the UEFA Champions League in 2019/20.

Alongside Robert Lewandowski, who scored 238 goals in 253 appearances for Bayern, both will be looking to take a pound of flesh from the Bavarians. A 4-2-3-1 formation with the Pole in attack is expected.

FC Bayern München

Like Barcelona, Bayern Munich have only 3 points in the league phase of the competition, following a surprising 1-0 loss to debutants Aston Villa on UCL Match Day 2. Bouncing back to winning ways will be particularly important for Vincent Kompany, as his side dismantled Stuttgart in a Harry Kane-inspired 4-0 win at the weekend.

While Bayern Munich have enjoyed a strong record in recent times, Vincent Kompany remains cautious about Wednesday’s clash. "There are coaches who have done a lot for Bayern, and Hansi Flick is one of them. Of course, it will be a special match for him and us. But of course, in the end, we both want to win," he commented.

Bayern have secured 10 UEFA Champions League victories against Barcelona, and in the competition's history, they have won only more games against Real Madrid with 11 wins. A 4—2—3—1 formation, featuring weekend hat-trick hero Harry Kane in attack, is expected.