UCL: Barcelona v Bayern Munich Preview
After beating Sporting 11-1 and then losing 5-1 at Wolfsburg on Saturday, Bayern Munich head to Barcelona on Wednesday looking to cause a significant upset.
Sir Alex Ferguson is just one of those in the game to have suggested that Barcelona are the team to beat in the Champions League this season.
Alongside the continued efforts of Lionel Messi, the return to form of Samuel Eto’o and Thierry Henry – in addition to the considerable talents in midfield – has meant Barca now boast arguable the most feared attack in the game.
For a side that shipped five goals against Wolfsburg, there is plenty to fear. Bayern boss Jurgen Klinsmann has warned the players that they are playing for their ‘entire future’ on Wednesday, while club president Franz Beckenbauer suggested that Klinsmann’s job will be ‘analysed’ in the summer.
The scale of the Sporting demolition – and, to a lesser extent, their general form in the competition this season – suggests Bayern are a side best suited to Europe.
Defender Philipp Lahm is charged with the task of stopping Messi and, having seen the Argentina star fail to break through against Manchester United last season, he knows it is not impossible: “They defended with 11 men and didn’t allow Barcelona any opportunities.”
Bayern have a Messi of their own, too: Franck Ribery has continued his blistering form this season and several Barca players have highlighted his threat. Miroslav Klose is another key figure, having scored seven in the competition already this season.
What’s more, Bayern will also benefit from playing the second leg at the Allianz Arena. Barca boss Pep Guardiola hopes to ‘break the statistic that gives an advantage to the team playing the second leg at home’, but an away goal or two in the first leg could make it a difficult night when they travel to Germany.
Essential facts and figures
- Barcelona and Bayern are the joint top scorers in the competition with 24 goals apiece.
- Miroslav Klose is the competition joint top scorer with seven goals.
- The German side have won three and drawn one of their four games against Barcelona in Europe and tasted victory on both visits to Spain.
- Bayern have lost only two of their last 18 matches in the Champions League and only one of the last nine on the road.
- Bayern have only won one and lost five of the last seven Champions League matches against Spanish opposition.
- Barcelona have only kept one clean sheet in their last nine Champions League matches.
- Barcelona have won 10 and drawn one of their last 11 Champions League matches against German opposition.
- Barcelona’s midfielder Xavi has supplied the most assists so far in the competition, five.
- Of the teams remaining in the competition, Bayern have scored the most headed goals, four.
- The Catalans have scored the most goals from outside the box in the competition, five.
Posted on April 8, 2009 | Filed Under Football
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