A European classic returns for its 16th edition as Bayern and Barcelona meet once more in the Champions League on Wednesday. The Bavarians have dominated this fixture so far with 11 wins (two draws, two defeats), with 10 of those coming in the Champions League alone. Only Real Madrid have more victories over a particular opponent in the competition’s history with 11. Against whom? Never mind that… fcbayern.com has the pre-match stats on this game in Catalonia.
Barcelona’s barren Bayern run
Bayern have been victorious in each of their last six meetings with Barcelona. The Catalans have only had a longer losing run in any competition against domestic rivals Real Madrid, and that was some time ago with seven straight defeats between 1962 and 1965. Should Bayern again prevail on Wednesday, they will also equal Real’s Champions League record of seven consecutive wins against an opponent, which they achieved against Ajax between 2010 and 2019. In addition, Barcelona have failed to win any of their last seven games against Bundesliga clubs (D1, L6), including losses in each of the last three at home to German opposition.
Bayern’s clean sheet streak
Barca have in fact failed to even score in their last four meetings with Bayern. Never before had the Catalan giants gone four games against a particular opponent in the European Cup without a goal. Luis Suarez was the last Barcelona player to breach Bayern’s defences, in the 8-2 loss in the 2019/20 Champions League quarter-final.
Flick reunion
Barcelona’s current coach Hansi Flick is a more than familiar face to Bayern fans, having led the club to Champions League glory in that 2019/20 campaign. He has so far won 17 of his 20 games as a coach in this competition (85%), including 18 in charge in Munich. That is the highest win rate of all coaches to have overseen at least three matches in the Champions League. No one else has ever won 17 times in his first 20 games at the helm in the competition.
Müller’s favourite opponent
Thomas Müller boasts a brilliant record in this fixture, scoring eight goals and providing two assists in his nine Champions League meetings with the Catalans. Only Cristiano Ronaldo has ever been directly involved in more Champions League goals against a single club (12 vs. Juventus).
Setting things right on the road
The 1-0 loss at Aston Villa on Matchday 2 was Bayern’s second straight away defeat in the Champions League. Vincent Kompany’s men will want to turn that record around now, given Bayern have never lost three straight away fixtures in Europe’s top club competition.
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