Barça outplayed once again by the German giants. AFP
Barça outplayed once again by the German giants. AFP
Bayern Munich gave Barcelona a brutal demonstration of how far the Catalan club has fallen by strolling to a 3-0 win in the Champions League on Tuesday, with Robert Lewandowski scoring twice in a rout at Camp Nou.
End
Group E. MD 1
Barcelona
Barcelona 0-3 Bayern München
Bayern München
14 Sep 2021
Without Lionel Messi for a first European campaign since 2003, Barca were outplayed by Bayern, who might have scored more but in the end settled for three thanks to Thomas Mueller's deflected opener and Lewandowski's double. When Lewandowski made it two before the hour, the possibility of another humiliation in the mould of last year's 8-2 defeat by the same opponents in Lisbon felt very real.

Instead, Bayern delivered perhaps an even louder message about the gulf in class by easing off in the latter stages, as Barca's fans expressed their anger, dismay and finally a sense of resignation. Sergi Roberto was on the end of the loudest whistles from the home supporters and it was impossible not to wonder if the criticism came in part from disappointment at the lack of progress down the right flank, where Messi once created so much.

Ronald Koeman's position has come under scrutiny in recent weeks and his 5-3-2 formation, that defies Barcelona's attacking traditions, will not have strengthened his hand. Yet the bottom line here was the lack of quality in the Barcelona line-up, coming after their turbulent summer of sales, which was inferior to Bayern's in every department.

Mueller has scored seven goals in six appearances now against the Catalans while Lewandowski has scored in 18 consecutive matches. Julian Nagelsmann's strong start as coach continues - this was a sixth consecutive victory - but he will know Bayern will face tougher Champions League opposition than this.