Barcelona’s uphill battle continues as they face Bayern Munich, hoping to reverse a grim history, here’s why the odds are stacked against them
The Champions League clash between Barcelona and Bayern Munich is one of those fixtures that brings out intense emotions but also one-sided results. When these two European giants meet, there’s always a buzz in the air. Yet, as the stats and recent form suggest, Barcelona may once again find themselves on the wrong side of history. With Bayern riding high, this could be another chapter in what has become a frustrating saga for the Catalan club.
Barcelona fans will be well aware of the daunting challenge their side faces. Historically, this fixture hasn’t been kind to them. Out of the last 13 meetings between the two teams, Bayern Munich has emerged victorious 10 times, while Barcelona has managed to win only twice, with just one match ending in a draw. The numbers don’t lie; the German champions have had Barcelona’s number for over a decade.
It’s not just about losing—it’s about how they’ve lost. Barcelona’s 8-2 humiliation at the hands of Bayern in 2020 remains fresh in memory, and since then, they’ve failed to score a single goal against Bayern in four subsequent meetings.
One reason why Barcelona is unlikely to turn the tide is Bayern’s lethal attack. This season, Bayern’s frontline has been on fire. Harry Kane, Bayern’s marquee signing, is already proving to be the man they needed, racking up eight goals and four assists in just seven Bundesliga matches. But Kane isn’t alone—Michael Olise, Jamal Musiala, and Serge Gnabry have added a combined nine goals, making Bayern’s attack one of the most fearsome in Europe.
They’ve also shown their ability to relentlessly press their opponents. Bayern’s 65% average possession in the Bundesliga speaks volumes about how much they dominate games, and that suffocating style doesn’t let their opponents breathe, let alone build momentum.
This could spell disaster against a Barcelona defence that has looked shaky in recent years. Even if Barça manage to hold their ground for a while, it’s hard to see them keeping Bayern’s frontline quiet for the full 90 minutes.
While Bayern’s attack has been in fine form, Barcelona’s defence remains a concern. They have been solid in La Liga this season, but cracks have shown when faced with high-calibre opposition in Europe. Against Bayern, there will be no room for mistakes.
Thomas Müller, a player who seems to come alive against Barcelona, will also pose a unique threat. Müller has netted eight goals and provided two assists in nine Champions League appearances against Barcelona. Aside from Cristiano Ronaldo, no other player has been directly involved in more goals against a single team in the Champions League. If Barcelona cannot contain Müller, they will again find themselves in deep trouble.
If there’s one thing that should make Barcelona fans nervous, it’s Bayern’s unbeaten record in the Bundesliga this season. The German giants have won five and drawn two of their first seven matches, scoring 24 goals and showcasing their attacking prowess in almost every game. Even when Bayern have found themselves in challenging situations, such as going behind against tough opponents like Bayer Leverkusen or Wolfsburg, they have shown resilience, bouncing back quickly.
Bayern Munich lead the Bundesliga with 17 points from 7 games. RB Leipzig are second but trail on goal difference. pic.twitter.com/58kNKyu7gR
— RHESTSub (@_rhestsub) October 21, 2024
This ability to turn difficult matches around gives Bayern a psychological edge. Even if Barcelona somehow manage to score first, there’s no guarantee they’ll keep Bayern down. The German side’s never-say-die attitude has been crucial to their dominance.
