In Focus: Barcelona Bayern for blood in European showdown

A little over 12 months have passed since Bayern Munich dismantled Barcelona in the quarter-finals of the Champions League. 

The Bundesliga giants romped to an 8-2 victory on their way to claiming a sixth European Cup. 

Since then, a lot has changed. For starters, both teams have new managers, with Julian Nagelsmann replacing Hansi Flick and Ronald Koeman stepping in for Quique Setien. 

Barca get their first opportunity for payback tonight as they host the Bundesliga champions at Camp Nou.

Players have come and gone but the desire for revenge will likely linger on. We pick five key areas where the game could be won or lost.

Defensive woes

Under new boss Julian Nagelsmann, Bayern are having a few teething problems in their defensive third. 

The Bavarians have kept just one clean sheet in their four league outings so far this term. 

Borussia Monchengladbach, Koln and RB Leipzig have all put the ball into Manuel Neuer’s net with Dayot Upamecano still being bedded into central defence following his summer move from Leipzig. 

Barcelona are also struggling defensively, however.

The Catalans have conceded four in their three LaLiga matches and they were outshot in games against Athletic Club and Getafe. 

With both teams having something of a transitional season, expect opportunities galore in this encounter.

Out with the old, in with the new

Ansu Fati may have claimed the vacant Barcelona No10 jersey but Memphis Depay is the player tasked with filling the void left by Lionel Messi. 

The Netherlands international has two goals and an assist to his name already and Nagelsmann namechecked the former Lyon man in the build-up to tonight’s game. 

He said: “They play very differently (without Messi). Lionel is a player who is always the focal point. Now the responsibility is divided. 

“With (Memphis) Depay and Luuk de Jong they have two very interesting new players with different qualities. I definitely wouldn’t say they got worse.”

Picking up where he left off

Robert Lewandowski already has six Bundesliga goals this term from his four appearances. 

The 33-year-old netted 41 times last season in the league alone, to break the German record for most goals in a single campaign. 

It does not feel like a Bayern match if Lewandowski does not get on the scoresheet. 

The Poland international will likely target Barcelona’s inexperienced right side, with Eric Garcia potentially starting there at centre-back alongside 20-year-old full-back Sergino Dest. 

Having said that, the No9 will probably fancy his chances against left-sided centre-back Gerard Pique, too. 

The former Manchester United defender offered to leave Barcelona after the last time he faced the prolific hitman in the infamous 8-2 defeat.

New kid on the block

Bayern invested heavily in Leroy Sane last summer and have given Serge Gnabry the famous No7 jersey this season. 

On paper, this should be their wide forward pairing for years to come. 

Yet Jamal Musiala has forced his way into Nagelsmann’s thinking. 

He came off the bench in the recent 4-1 win over RB Leipzig, to score a goal and assist Sane and Bayern boss Nagelsmann has heaped praise on the youngster. 

He said: "On Jamal, he's incredibly good with the ball, but I'll also say that there's much more to come from him. He still has a lot of potential that we can help him realise. 

“What he does with the ball at his feet, he must have a magnet somewhere inside him. The ball just keeps coming back to him.” 

The 18-year-old could be a game-changer against Barcelona.

Goals win you games

We have touched upon both teams being a little fragile in defence this term but Barcelona are also struggling in attack. 

Without the mercurial talent of Messi, Barca have found it difficult to impose themselves on matches. 

Bayern, on the other hand, know how to carve out openings. Nagelsmann’s side have scored 13 in four outings — a total no team in Germany can better. 

They also lead the way when it comes to shots, having taken 73 to date. 

FCB’s firepower might just be the difference between the teams when they travel to Catalonia tonight.