Barcelona, Sep 13: Spanish giants FC Barcelona take on Germany’s Bayern Munich in their first Group stage match of the Champions League on Tuesday without talismanic scorer Lionel Messi, who had been the Catalans best player in the Continent club championship for years.
Barcelona had to let go of Messi reluctantly because of the new financial rules of the Spanish League and thus take on the German giants without their most known face in recent times.
Barca have a negative head-to-head record against Bayern, having only won two of eleven previous competitive encounters. There have also been draws, while the Bavarians have been victorious in no fewer than seven meetings. So, the Catalans feel it’s time for them to start setting the record straight!
But that would be easier said than done as the Germans are in good form and have done well in the league. Though it is only the first match of the preliminary league, winning against a top-notch team will be a big boost for the remainder of the league.
Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman stressed the importance of ‘competing’ in the Champions League.
The Dutchman appeared before the press ahead of his side’s opening fixture against a Bayern Munich team for whom the Barça boss believes his squad is ready ‘to cause problems.’
“We know perfectly well that Bayern are a great side with experience and great individual quality. It will be a tough game but we are looking forward to competing in the Champions League and we want to get a good result in the opening fixture.”
Koeman said the Barca squad has changed a lot in the summer and but can’t take much time to settle down.
“We have had changes in the squad and we need time. But in football, there is not much time and the game against Bayern is an interesting one from which we can draw some conclusions about where we are.”
Bayern on their part are looking to youngster Jamal Musiala give reigning German champion Bayern Munich confidence to successfully out in across the Spanish giants.
The 18-year-old helped the Bavarians to crush national league rival, RB Leipzig, 4-1. “He was the magician of the game,” German international Thomas Mueller commented after Musiala not only scored their second goal but also delivered several enchanting passes ahead.
Being substituted for injured Serge Gnabry after 45 minutes, the former Chelsea talent pushed his team after a two-week break for World Cup qualifiers. Former Bayern captain and German international Lothar Matthaeus expects Musiala to become a second Neymar.
Encouraged by a convincing performance against Leipzig, Bayern feels prepared for its journey into the unknown. (IANS)
