A Resilient Performance and a Memorable Win to Finally Conquer Bayern

Barcelona will finish Matchday 3 in 10th place in the new UEFA Champions League’s League Phase standings thanks to a brilliant 4-1 win over Bayern Munich at the Montjuïc Olympic Stadium on Wednesday night. A resilient Barça side endured some tough periods after taking an early lead, but an inspired Raphinha scored a sensational hat-trick to lead the Blaugrana to a memorable European victory in front of the home crowd.

FIRST HALF

Barça made an absolute dream start to proceedings, scoring just 59 seconds into the action when a pass by Fermín López found Raphinha all alone with all the time in the world to run into the box, round Manuel Neuer and find the net to put the home team ahead.

The early goal completely changed the game and forced Bayern to attack immediately, but the visitors showed they were up to the challenge and completely dominated the following 20 minutes, with a clear gameplan of trying to isolate Alejandro Balde against Michael Olise and Thomas Müller on the left side of Barça’s defense and create offense from there, and that’s exactly what Vincent Kompany’s men did.

Bayern were in complete control and had one dangerous moment after another, with Harry Kane heading home the equalizer in the 10th minute before it was disallowed by a very narrow offside call. Kane didn’t have to wait too long to get on the scoresheet, though, and fired a beautiful volley into the net after a cross from Serge Gnabry to equalize eight minutes later.

It seemed as though Bayern were on their way to completing the comeback and taking the lead, but Barça responded well to Kane’s goal, took control of possession and allowed themselves to breathe and regroup. There were still a few scares when Bayern had the ball, but for the most part the Blaugrana were the team on top as we headed towards the end of the half.

And Barça’s superiority was rewarded in a big way in the final 10 minutes of the period: a pass by Lamine Yamal found Fermín at the edge of the box and the young midfielder showed his usual fighting spirt to fight off Kim Min Jae and getting to the ball before Neuer, redirecting it towards Robert Lewandowski who scored an easy tap-in against his former club to put Barça back in front.

Just before halftime came the third goal, thanks to an outrageous long ball by Marc Casadó to release Raphinha, who took on Raphaël Guerreiro, cut inside on his right foot and found the bottom corner to double Barça’s lead and send Montjuïc into a frenzy.

The halftime whistle came to end an amazing half of football filled with wild, non-stop action, and Barça had a two-goal lead thanks to their resilience at the back and brutal efficiency in front of goal. But Bayern were by no means out of it, and the second half promised to be just as fun for neutrals and just as nail-biting for fans of both teams.

SECOND HALF

Hansi Flick made a clear adjustment to his tactics to begin the final period: Barça came out with a clear intent of managing the game and not conceding an early goal, and defended deeper with very little high pressing and more help given to Balde to stop the left-back from having to defend Olise and Müller by himself.

The strategy worked as the Catalans were never in real trouble even though Bayern had more of the ball, and the icing on the cake was a fourth goal before the hour mark: a lethal counter-attack from a Bayern free-kick started with a fantastic pass over the top by Yamal and ended with a brilliant finish by Raphinha, who fired a rocket into the bottom corner to complete his hat-trick and triple the Barça lead.

Kompany made a quadruple substitution after the goal, changing almost his entire midfield group in an attempt to provide Kane with better service and try to ignite an unlikely comeback. Flick answered with Frenkie de Jong’s introduction, as the Dutchman came on for Fermín and the home team was clearly set up to stop Bayern and try to add more goals on the counter.

Flick made his second change with 15 minutes left, as Raphinha was given the chance to receive an amazing ovation from the home crowd and Dani Olmo made his return from injury. Barça’s coach used the rest of his substitutions to give Gavi, Ansu Fati and Pau Víctor a chance to play the final five minutes plus stoppage time, and the crowd gave another amazing ovation to Yamal, Lewandowski and Pedri as they departed.

Barça ran out the clock without any issues, and the final whistle came to end a memorable night in the Catalan capital as the Blaugrana finally conquer Bayern with a strong, resilient team performance and a sensational hat-trick by Raphinha to lead the way.

The crowd was also incredible from start to finish, and Barça have proven beyond any doubt that they are for real. El Clásico is next, and I cannot wait. Well done, boys!!!

Barcelona: Peña; Kounde, Cubarsí, Iñigo, Balde; Fermín (De Jong 61’), Casadó, Pedri (Gavi 85’); Yamal (Fati 85’), Lewandowski (Vìctor 85’), Raphinha (Olmo 76’)

Goals: Raphinha (1’, 45’, 56’), Lewandowski (36’)

Bayern: Neuer; Guerreiro (Laimer 86’), Upamecano, Kim, Davies; Palhinha (Goretzka 60’), Kimmich; Olise (Sané 60’), Müller (Musiala 60’), Gnabry (Coman 60’); Kane

Goal: Kane (18’)