Both teams have three points from their first two games, and a loss here could put either side in danger of missing out on the top 24. Barcelona's new manager, Hansi Flick, is off to a flying start, with a 5-1 win over Sevilla keeping them three points clear at the top of La Liga.
Their only domestic slip-up came in an away game against Osasuna, while their only other loss under Flick was against Monaco after they were reduced to 10 men early in the game.
Barcelona bounced back in style in their last Champions League game, crushing Young Boys 5-0—perfect preparation for the visit of Bayern Munich, Flick's and Robert Lewandowski’s former club. Flick has now won 17 of his 20 Champions League games, giving him the best win rate of any manager in the competition’s history.
However, history doesn’t favor Barcelona in this matchup. They've only beaten Bayern twice in 15 previous meetings. The last six clashes have all gone Bayern’s way, including the unforgettable 8-2 thrashing in 2020. Another loss would tie Barcelona's longest losing streak against a single opponent, a record dating back to the early 1960s against Real Madrid.
Bayern, meanwhile, could make history themselves: with 10 wins over Barcelona, they could match the record for the most victories by any team against a single opponent in the Champions League and become the first club to win seven straight games against the same opponent since Real Madrid's streak against Ajax in the 2010s.
Bayern manager Vincent Kompany will be eager to see his team bounce back after a 2-1 loss to Aston Villa on matchday two, where Jhon Duran took advantage of a Manuel Neuer mistake to score a late winner.
That defeat ended Bayern's 41-match unbeaten streak at this stage of the competition and puts them in danger of losing three consecutive away games in Europe for the first time in their history, following last season’s dramatic semi-final loss to Real Madrid.
In mid-September, Bayern stormed through three matches in one week, scoring 20 goals against Holstein Kiel, Dinamo Zagreb, and Werder Bremen. However, since then, they've struggled, with draws against Bayer Leverkusen and Eintracht Frankfurt on either side of their loss to Aston Villa.
But at the weekend, they ended their three-game winless run with a 4-0 victory over Stuttgart, thanks to a Harry Kane hat trick, keeping them at the top of the Bundesliga on goal difference over RB Leipzig.
INJURIES & SUSPENSION
Hansi Flick is expected to stick with Inaki Pena as Barcelona’s goalkeeper, despite the recent signing of Wojciech Szczesny, both for the Champions League clash and the upcoming El Clasico. With Marc-Andre ter Stegen out for the season, Pena remains his go-to choice.Barcelona got a boost with Dani Olmo and Gavi returning from injury, with Gavi even getting some late minutes over the weekend. Frenkie de Jong is also nearing a full return, although he hasn’t started a match since coming back earlier this month. However, Marc Bernal is facing a lengthy absence due to a serious knee injury.
The hosts will also miss Ferran Torres, who’s sidelined with a hamstring injury, as well as center-backs Ronald Araujo and Andreas Christensen. This opens the door for teenager Pau Cubarsi to start in another major game.
For Bayern, Aleksandar Pavlovic is out after breaking his collarbone just five minutes into their last match. Joao Palhinha is expected to step in as his replacement. Raphael Guerreiro has been filling in at right-back recently, but Konrad Laimer could take over that role, leaving Joshua Kimmich to stay in midfield alongside Leon Goretzka.
The big injury concern for Bayern is young star Jamal Musiala, who may miss out due to a hip injury. Additionally, right-backs Josip Stanisic and Sacha Boey are also unavailable, which explains Guerreiro’s recent shift to the right side of defense.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
Barcelona possible starting lineup:Inaki Pena; Kounde, Pau Cubarsi, Inigo Martinez, Balde; De Jong, Pedri; Yamal, Dani Olmo, Raphinha; Lewandowski
Bayern Munich possible starting lineup:
Neuer; Laimer, Upamecano, Kim, Davies; Kimmich, Joao Palhinha; Olise, Muller, Gnabry; Kane
EXPERT PREDICTION
Barcelona 2-1 Bayern Munich
Barcelona have been almost flawless under Flick, and if not for the early red card against Monaco, they might have a perfect record. They'll be confident they can finally break their dreadful losing streak against Bayern.
In contrast, Bayern have struggled for consistency since Kompany took charge, dropping points in the league and looking out of sorts against Aston Villa in their last Champions League match. They could be in for another tough game.
