Barca's redemption against Bayern after a decade of disappointment
Since Lionel Messi's iconic dribble past Jerome Boateng on May 6, 2015, FC Barcelona has endured a tumultuous run against Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League. This period includes the infamous 8-2 humiliation in the 2020 UCL semi-final, where Robert Lewandowski led Bayern under the guidance of coach Hansi Flick. In total, Bayern amassed a staggering 22-4 aggregate scoreline against Barcelona during this stretch. However, on October 24, 2024, Barcelona finally broke this losing streak, defeating Bayern 4-1 at the Montjuïc National Stadium. Raphinha netted a hat-trick, while Lewandowski scored for Barcelona. Notably, this new-look Barcelona side, coached by Hansi Flick, features a promising generation of academy talents such as Casado, Balde, Yamal, Cubarsi, and Pena.
Table for the match history between FC Barcelona and Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League:
| Date | FC Barcelona | Bayern München | Stage | Starring |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 Oct 2024 | 4 | 1 | UCL Group | Lewandowski, Yamal, Harry Kane |
| 27 Oct 2022 | 0 | 3 | UCL Group | Lewandowski, Mane |
| 14 Sep 2022 | 0 | 2 | UCL Group | Lewandowski, Mane |
| 9 Dec 2021 | 0 | 3 | UCL Group | Lewandowski, Sane |
| 15 Sep 2021 | 0 | 3 | UCL Group | Lewandowski, Sane |
| 15 Aug 2020 | 2 | 8 | UCL Quarter-final | Lewandowski, Messi, Suarez |
| 13 May 2015 | 2 | 3 | UCL Semi-final | Lewandowski, Messi, Neymar |
| 7 May 2015 | 3 | 0 | UCL Semi-final | Lewandowski, Messi, Neymar |
Barcelona's win against Bayern Munich is more than just a result on the scoreboard. It's a testament to the resilience and spirit of a club that is facing its share of financial challenges but continues to strive for greatness with a new generation of players from La Masia.