Barcelona and Bayern Munich reignite their UCL rivalry on October 24, 2024. Who will triumph in this epic clash? Read the full match preview and key insights here!
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But the 2024-25 UCL is full of such fascinating matches as FC Barcelona hosts Bayern Munich on Matchday 3. Heavyweights to clash This is going to be the biggest contest at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys and should revive one of the European game's most bitter rivalries.
Both are going into this match three points from two matches, each having won one and lost one. And with both these teams looking to take the maximum of the three points available, the match will be a real fire-cracker and is likely to keep the fans on the edge of their seats.
Recent Form: Barcelona and Bayern in Top Gear
Barcelona head into this match in good form, having thrashed Sevilla 5-1 in La Liga, and then secured a win in their last UCL match against Young Boys. Recent domestic and European form tells Barcelona they are well-equipped to handle their German rivals.
Bayern Munich, on the other hand, is also well-prepared for tonight as they boast an impressive 4-0 win over Stuttgart in the Bundesliga. However, their last UCL encounter against Aston Villa might psychologically work in favor of Barcelona.
Kick-off Details:
Date: Thursday, October 24, 2024
Time: 12:30 AM IST
Venue: Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys
Form Guide (All Competitions):
FC Barcelona: W-W-W-L-W
Bayern Munich: W-D-L-D-W
Key Players to Watch
Robert Lewandowski (FC Barcelona)
Not many strikers are as deadly as Robert Lewandowski. The Polish attacking football player has been in great form, scoring 14 goals and making 2 assists in just 12 games for his club this season. He makes Barcelona an always potent weapon. In the last season, Lewandowski scored an astonishing 26 goals in 49 matches for the Catalan club with no signs of slowing down, so if you want to watch top-class football matches, book your tickets to see Barcelona play live.
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And the personal aspect of this match is that for Lewandowski, it will be against former club Bayern, at which club he spent a few great seasons. His finishing skills, movement, and positioning will be important inputs to Barcelona's attacking play.
Harry Kane (Bayern Munich)
Harry Kane has fitted in seamlessly into Bayern attack since his high-profile transfer. This season, he has scored 8 goals and delivered 4 assists in just 7 matches. Being on fire last season with 44 goals across all competitions also indicates his elite ability to be at the helm of affairs.
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Kane is part of an elite team of players who create flexibility. Besides excellent timing and finishing in front of goal, he tracks back to distribute the play and assist his mates. His fluid collaboration with Bayern's wingers and midfield will be the fracture point that will reveal Barcelona's defense.
Injuries and Team News :
FC Barcelona: Key players Marc-André ter Stegen, Andreas Christensen, Ronald Araujo, Marc Bernal, Ferran Torres, and Eric Garcia are all out.
Bayern Munich: Josip Stanišić, Sacha Boey, Jamal Musiala, and Pavlović are all out, which will cause a heavy blow in their defense.
Head-to-Head Stats:
For the last 13 of the matches between these two European giants, Bayern Munich were, most of the time, the better team. In the last 13 head-to-head Barcelona vs Bayern Munich games:
Wins for Barcelona: 2
Bayern Munich Win: 10
Draws: 1
The last few seasons have seen Bavarian dominance, and Barcelona would be looking forward to breaking the trend.
Predicted Lineups
FC Barcelona (4-2-3-1):
Pena; Balde, Inigo, Cubarsi, Kounde; Pedri, Casado; Ansu Fati, Raphinha, Yamal; Lewandowski
Bayern Munich (4-2-3-1):
Neuer; Davies, Kim, Upamecano, Gurreiro; Laimer, Kimmich; Gnabry, Muller, Olise; Kane
Telecast and Streaming Details
India: Sony Sports Network, SonyLiv
UK: Amazon Prime Video, Discovery+
US: Paramount +
FC Barcelona and Bayern Munich will face each other for the third time, in what promises to be a battle for the ages in terms of football. Will the Catalans seek to change their last two defeats, which came at the hands of Bayern, or will the Bavarians continue their dominance over the Spanish giants? As Lewandowski and Kane step out onto the field, football fans have ample reasons to look forward to the match with great excitement.
Don't forget to tune in on October 24 to see this exciting match!
