Barcelona-Bayern Munich is a match for the fifth day of the Champions League group stage and is played on Wednesday at 21:00: statistics, likely formations, predictions, live TV and streaming.
More than one insider did not take kindly to Uefa’s decision not to have Barcelona v Bayern Munich played at the same time as the San Siro match between Inter Milan and Viktoria Plzen, which will instead be staged a few hours earlier. Because, should the Nerazzurri respect the prediction that sees them as clear favourites over the modest Czechs, the Blaugrana will be out of the Champions League – for the second year in a row in the group stage – even before taking to the pitch. There is a real risk, then, that the big match between the Catalans and the Bavarians, traditionally full of interesting highlights, will almost turn into a luxury friendly, with Xavi’s team intent on licking their wounds after another European fiasco. Which will probably make even more noise than last season’s, given the impressive summer market of Joan Laporta’s club.
To sum up: Bayern Munich are the only team with full points together with Napoli, they are already qualified for the round of 16 and if they win in Catalonia they will also be certain of first place; Barça’s hopes hang by a thread, as their fate will depend on the match at the ‘Meazza’. Should Inter stumble against Viktoria Plzen, Lewandowski and his teammates would still be obliged to beat the German champions, with whom they have already lost decisively (2-0) in Munich. In any case, they will need a Barcelona in La Liga format, which in the last two days has demolished Villarreal and Athletic Club 3-0 and 4-0 respectively, remaining in the wake of leaders Real Madrid. Julian Nagelsmann’s men have also started to win again, after a 2-0 success at home against Hoffenheim that brought them back to just one point from the top, occupied by Union Berlin.
Barcelona’s Gavi is in doubt, while Sergi Roberto will be absent after dislocating his shoulder. Bayern are without Neuer – Ulreich is in goal – and Hernandez, while Choupo-Moting is threatening former Liverpool man Mané.
Robert Lewandowski
The Prediction
This time the feeling is that, regardless of the final result of Inter-Viktoria Plzen, Barcelona will at least manage to avoid defeat against what has become a real ‘black beast’ in recent years. The Catalans’ greater motivation could in any case become a factor. And also watch out for Nagelsmann’s possible turnover. There will be no shortage of goals, with the two teams going head-to-head.
Barcelona v Bayern Munich matchday squad
- BARCELONA (4-3-1-2): Ter Stegen; Bellerín, Koundé, Alonso, Balde; de Jong, Busquets, Pedri; Dembélé; Lewandowski, Ansu Fati.
- BAYERN MONACO (4-2-3-1): Ulreich; Pavard, de Ligt, Upamecano, Davies; Goretzka, Kimmich; Gnabry, Musiala, Coman; Choupo-Moting.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-1
