Barcelona warmed up for Wednesday’s Champions League clash against Bayern with a comfortable 5-1 win at home to Sevilla in LaLiga on Sunday. It keeps the Catalans top of the table with an almost perfect record of nine wins from 10 games, plus one loss.
“It was really important to come back from the international break with a win. My team did very well. I’m pleased about the result,” said head coach Hansi Flick, who took over at Barcelona in the summer and has got their attack in particular firing again. The Catalans have scored 33 goals so far under the former Bayern boss. Only Pep Guardiola and Zinedine Zidane (both 34) have seen their teams score more goals from their first 10 LaLiga fixtures in charge since the turn of the millennium.
Lewandowski surpasses Müller
Former Bayern striker Robert Lewandowski again led the way against Sevilla with a brace, proving he hasn’t dropped off at all at 36 years of age. Pedri also got a goal, with substitute Pablo Torre netting twice as well. Stanis Idumbo-Muzambo got a consolation for the visitors. Lewandowski tops the scoring chart in Spain with 12 goals after 10 rounds of fixtures. His second on Sunday was also his 366th in a European first division (in 463 games), which takes him past none other than Gerd Müller, who got 365 in 427 Bundesliga games in Bayern colours. Only Lionel Messi (496) and Cristiano Ronaldo (495) are now ahead of him.
As well as the three points, Barca fans were also able to delight in seeing Gavi return after almost a year out injured when he came on for the final seven minutes. It was a welcome moment for the Catalans, who have also had to do without Germany goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen after he was ruled out for the rest of the season. Inaki Pena was in goal on Sunday.
Hansi Flick: “Will be ready”
Barcelona don’t have much time to enjoy the win, though, as they will now “only think about the next game against Bayern” as of Monday, according to Flick. The 59-year-old believes his team is well set for this clash of Champions League titans. “I can say the players will give 100 percent in every minute. You never know what the result will be in the end, but my players will be ready.”
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