Barcelona news: Blaugrana crash out of Champions League after losing 3-0 to Bayern Munich

Thomas Muller opened the scoring for Bayern Munich before Leroy Sane doubled the lead and Jamal Musiala completed the drubbing with the third.

Bayern Munich thrashed Barcelona 3-0 in the Champions League fixture on Wednesday; Credit: Twitter/@ChampionsLeague
By Sreejith C R | Dec 9, 2021 | 3 Min Read follow icon Follow Us

Barcelona signed off their worst Champions League campaign in 21 years on Wednesday, as another humiliating defeat at the hands of Bayern Munich sealed elimination at the group stage. Blaugrana came into the match at the second spot in Group E, a point ahead of third placed Benfica, but a victory for the Portuguese club against the bottom team Dynamo Kyiv meant that Barcelona won’t advance to the round of 16 for the first time since 2000-01 season, but will continue in the second tier Europa League after ending up third in the group.

The Catalan club hadn’t made a single chance in the second half and scored only two goals in the six group games. Meanwhile Bayern went into the knockout stages with a perfect record of six wins from as many games. Benfica finished runners-up to the German club. Thomas Muller, Leroy Sane and Jamal Musiala were on target for the hosts at Allianz arena. 

Barcelona started the game positively as Jordi Alba tested Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer from outside the box before Ousmane Dembele fired over the bar after being set up by Memphis Depay. However, once Bayern settled into the game, the visitors didn’t really have a chance.

Four minutes before the half-hour mark, Sane released Muller down the left flank and the German international raced forward before cutting it back for Robert Lewandowski at the far post, but Barcelona goalkeeper Ter Stegen got a slight touch on the ball to prevent it from reaching the Pole and Alba did the cleaning.

The hosts broke the deadlock in the 34th minute. This time the roles were reversed as Sane released Lewandowski down the left and the 33-year-old used his footwork to make some space before crossing the ball for Muller to head home.

Two minutes from break, Sane doubled the lead with a bullet shot from outside the box that ripped past Ter Stegen, despite him getting a hand to it. Bayern continued to play attacking football and could have tripled the lead immediately after the break. Left-back Alphonso Davies delivered a teasing low cross across the goal to find Kingsley Coman, who laid the ball on a plate for Sane, but he could only scuff his shot into Ter Stegen’s arms.

Davies set up Musiala for the third and didn’t stop all game

However, the hosts made it 3-0 in the 62nd minute. Once again it was Davies’ pace and trickery down the left that did the damage. The Canadian full-back went past Ronald Araujo, got to the byline and pulled it back for Musiala to tuck in from close range.

Davies was the most threatening player on the night as he simply didn’t stop all game. He gave Araujo a torrid time down Bayern’s left flank. He made a couple of clear cut chances and set up Musiala for the third. The 21-year-old is certainly going to play a key role for the Bavarian club, going ahead in the competition.

There were chances again for Bayern late on, as Sane was played through on goal after some brilliant build up play, but the 25-year-old blasted the ball over the bar.

“Bayern were better, superior,” Xavi said. “This is the harsh reality we have to face. I have told players that this is a turning-point. Today a new era begins and we have to take Barca where it deserves which is not the Europa League.

“I am frustrated because this is our reality. We start from scratch and we have to get Barca back to fighting for the Champions League. I now feel responsible. Now we have to go out and win the Europa League.”





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