In a thrilling night at Montjuïc, FC Barcelona finally ended a painful streak of four consecutive games without scoring against Bayern Munich, winning 4-1. The victory was not only a crucial confidence boost but also a statement of revenge, as the Catalans had struggled against the German giants since their humiliating 8-2 defeat in the 2019/20 Champions League quarterfinals. This match saw an incredible performance from Raphinha, who led Barça with a hat trick, while Robert Lewandowski netted the second goal against his former team.
A Drought Against Bayern: The Historical Context
Since their 8-2 loss in Lisbon, Barcelona had failed to score against Bayern in their next four meetings. Luis Suárez was the last Barça player to find the net against the Bavarians, scoring in that disastrous match back in 2020. In the subsequent encounters, Bayern dominated Barcelona in both the 2021/22 and 2022/23 Champions League group stages. The Germans won all four games, scoring 11 goals in total while keeping the Catalan side scoreless. Notable matches included a 3-0 win at Camp Nou in 2021 and an identical result in Munich later that year.
Bayern’s supremacy continued into the following season, as they recorded 2-0 and 3-0 victories, cementing their dominance. Manuel Neuer, Bayern’s iconic goalkeeper, stood as an impenetrable wall for Barcelona’s attacks during this period, leaving the Catalan fans in despair.
Barça’s Revenge at Montjuïc
Wednesday’s clash marked a turning point for Barça under the leadership of Hansi Flick. Right from the start, Barcelona played with intensity, and it took just 54 seconds for Raphinha to break the deadlock, scoring Barcelona’s second-fastest goal in the Champions League. A long ball from Fermín López found Raphinha, who took advantage of Bayern's high defensive line to slot the ball past Joshua Kimmich.
Bayern reacted with a disallowed goal from Harry Kane and then quickly equalized, but Barcelona’s offensive pressure proved unstoppable. Raphinha, who was in sensational form, went on to score a hat trick, capitalizing on swift counterattacks—a tactic Bayern has been known to execute perfectly, but this time Barça turned the tables.
Lewandowski added the second goal, giving his new team a satisfying victory over his former club, completing a night of redemption for the Catalans.
The Turning Point: Barça’s Character
This match not only broke Barcelona’s scoring drought against Bayern but also showcased a new resilience in Flick’s squad. Unlike previous encounters, where Barça crumbled under pressure, this time they held strong, responding to Bayern’s advances with well-organized counterattacks and disciplined defending. The quick, direct style of play, spearheaded by Raphinha and Lewandowski, proved to be the key to unlocking Bayern’s defense.