Bayern fall to clinical Barcelona

FC Bayern fell 4-1 to FC Barcelona in the Champions League on Wednesday night. Raphinha put the hosts in front before Harry Kane levelled the scores, but Robert Lewandowski restored Barcelona's lead before Raphinha netted on the stroke of half-time and rounded off his hat-trick early in the second half.

Bayern lined up with Manuel Neuer in goal and Raphaël Guerreiro, Dayot Upamecano, Minjae Kim and Alphonso Davies in defence. Joshua Kimmich and João Palhinha anchored a midfield featuring Michael Olise, Thomas Müller and Serge Gnabry, with Kane leading the line. Leon Goretzka, Leroy Sané, Jamal Musiala and Kingsley Coman took over from Palhinha, Olise, Müller and Gnabry on the hour, with Konrad Laimer coming on for Guerreiro in the closing stages.

Trailing at half-time

The high-octane match between two attack-minded sides began with an early setback, López' pass releasing the charging Raphinha, who rounded Neuer before slotting in. Bayern enjoyed more of the ball now and had it in the back of the net when a Müller cross invited Kane to head home, but the goal was chalked off for offside. Munich did level the scores when Olise found Gnabry, who crossed for Kane to hammer home on the volley.

Former FCB man Lewandowski fired just wide, but the hosts restored their lead after the half-hour, López lifting the ball over Neuer before Lewandowski mopped up. Barcelona made it three with the half-time whistle imminent, Raphinha cutting inside from the left and finding the far corner of the net.

Nothing doing

Munich went looking for a reply and Palhinha fired just wide before an Olise pass evaded Kane, but the hosts twisted the knife when Yamal's pinpoint pass released Raphinha, who rifled into the far corner of the net.

Coman fired wide and Musiala saw an effort deflected behind, but Barcelona let the ball do the work and skilfully ran down the clock. Lewandowski only just failed to turn in a Yamal cross as Bayern suffered their second Champions League defeat this season.

Vincent Kompany's side will be back in action on Sunday when they travel to face Bochum in the Bundesliga.

Live match report for fcbayern.com by Greg Salmen