When they play Bayern Munich at home on Wednesday night, Barcelona will be hoping that they still have a shot at making it to the knockout stage of the Champions League. The game will take place at Camp Nou.
The Catalan club is currently in third place in Group C, trailing second-placed Inter Milan by three points.
Inter Milan would advance to the round of 16 with a victory over Viktoria Plzen earlier in the evening. Bayern Munich is currently in first place in the group with 12 points, having won all four of their matches in the group to advance to the round of 16 with two games to spare.
Our Match Preview: Barcelona vs Bayern Munich
Ousmane Dembele, Sergi Roberto, Robert Lewandowski, and Ferran Torres scored for Barcelona as they defeated Athletic Bilbao 4-0 on Sunday night to improve to 28 points after 11 games in La Liga.
There’s no denying that Barcelona has struggled in the Champions League group stage so far. The Catalan club now sits in the third position in the standings, three points behind Inter in second place, with two games to play on Wednesday.
If Inter beats Viktoria Plzen later tonight, they will advance to the quarterfinals, eliminating Barcelona’s chances of advancing to the knockout round. This would secure Xavi’s squad’s third-place finish in the group and their relegation to the Europa League for the second year running.
They need a favor from Plzen and then to defeat Bayern, although they have only won one of their past three league games (3-1 against Inter and 2-0 against Bayern, 3-3 vs Inter at Camp Nou on October 12).
Barcelona has won its last two home matches, 3-0 against Villarreal and 4-0 against Athletic Bilbao, so there is a reason for optimism.
However, they lost 3-1 to Real Madrid in El Clasico on October 16 and have had a slow start in Europe this season, and Xavi’s side will now host one of the finest sides in the competition.
Given their caliber, it’s not surprising that Bayern sits at the top of their area. The Bundesliga champions have put up a strong showing in the group stage, winning all four of their games while scoring 13 goals and allowing none.
Following victories against Inter and Barcelona by identical 2-0 scores, Julian Nagelsmann’s squad swept Plzen in two matches this month, prevailing 5-0 at home and 4-2 on the road.
Bayern has won four straight games overall, including a 2-0 victory against Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga on Saturday. However, the team is presently in second place in the Bundesliga, one point behind leaders Union Berlin.
Although they have won the European Cup six times, the Munich giants were eliminated in the quarterfinals by Villarreal last season and lost to Paris Saint-Germain in the semifinals on away goals in the 2020-21 season.
Bayern would be sealed as group champions on Wednesday with a victory, however, first would be clinched ahead of this match if inter fail to beat Plzen. Their last loss to Barcelona was in the semi-finals of the 2014–15 Champions League, a 3-0 defeat in the first leg at Camp Nou.
Our Team News: Barcelona vs Bayern Munich
As a result of having groin surgery, Barcelona will be without Ronald Araujo for this encounter. Andreas Christensen and Memphis Depay are both expected to be held out of action due to their respective injuries.
As a result of the latest injury blow to the Catalan club, which occurred over the weekend when Sergi Roberto dislocated his shoulder, Hector Bellerin may be allowed to start as a right-back against Bayern.
Gavi had a blow to his abductor when playing against Athletic, but it is anticipated that he will be fit for this match. If he is, he has the possibility of starting in a forward three with Ousmane Dembele and Robert Lewandowski.
Frenkie de Jong looks to have now pushed his way into the starting side, and the Dutchman should hold his position. Marcos Alonso might get the nod over Alejandro Balde and Jordi Alba at left-back. Frenkie de Jong appears to have finally worked his way into the starting side.
As for Bayern, injuries have sidelined Manuel Neuer, Lucas Hernandez, Leroy Sane, and Bouna Sarr, so they won’t be able to play for the visitors on Wednesday night.
Kingsley Coman and Serge Gnabry are expected to appear in the wide areas for the Munich giants, while Jamal Musiala is expected to play the number 10 position. Sadio Mane might lead the charge for the Munich giants.
Due to Hernandez’s absence, the back four will choose themselves; Matthijs de Ligt is expected to start alongside Dayot Upamecano in the center position, while Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka will likely start in the midfield as the two players that make up that position.
- Barcelona possible starting lineup: Ter Stegen, Bellerin, Kounde, E Garcia, Alonso, De Jong, Busquets, Pedri, Dembele, Lewandowski, Gavi.
- Bayern Munich possible starting lineup: Ulreich, Pavard, Upamecano, De Ligt, Davies, Kimmich, Goretzka, Coman, Musiala, Gnabry, Mane.
Our Prediction: Barcelona 2-2 Bayern Munich
We anticipate that Inter will prevail against Plzen in the earlier match, which would ensure that Barcelona maintains its position as the third-place team in the group.
If that turns out to be the case, Bayern will need to win this match to be declared the champions of the section. However, we have a hunch that an exciting match will conclude with the points being split between both teams.
