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Barcelona host Bayern Munich in a clash of the titans at Camp Nou on matchday one of the Champions League 2021/22 season.
It's a fixture that is soaked in history, for the sides have clashed multiple times over the years, giving us some really epic duels.
However, nothing beats the 8-2 demolition the Bavarians handed out to their Spanish counterparts last year. A match which famously prompted Lionel Messi to submit a transfer request.
Much has changed since then, of course, with both sides welcoming new players. As well as bidding adieu to a few, including Messi himself, who's left the Catalans for PSG in a shock transfer.
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Yet nothing takes away the sheen from this European classic, which always promises plenty of drama. In fact, there have been 18 goals between them in their last three meetings alone!
Expect more of the same over their next two clashes too. Also, keep an eye out for some new and interesting personal duels as the revamped Barca and Bayern sides gear up to resume their historic rivalry.
Ahead of their first-leg, let's take a look at how these European powerhouses stack up in a fascinating combined XI:
Note: Formation used is 4-1-3-2.
Goalkeeper: Marc-Andre ter Stegen (Barcelona)
It's a clash of two legendary German custodians here. Marc-Andre ter Stegen going up against his compatriot Manuel Neuer, who's long been hailed as one of the greatest goalkeepers of all-time.
But if recent form is anything to go by, then the former gets the nod here. He's also been extremely valuable for Barcelona in recent seasons with match-saving performances.
Tall, agile and dependable, the former Borussia Monchengladbach shot-stopper is highly competent with the ball at his feet. He is known for his control and accurate distribution of the ball.
Ter Stegen also possesses the sweeper-keeper abilities his Bayern Munich counterpart popularized. He reads the game brilliantly too, racing off his line in time to clear the dangers and giving forwards a hard time even in one-on-one situations.
He won't have good memories of facing Bayern Munich. The German international was tormented by the Bundesliga giants, who fired eight goals past him, Ter Stegen's worst career outing yet.
Although a repeat is unlikely, the Barcelona custodian can expect a busy evening against the likes of Lewandowski, Muller and co. He will be looking to conjure up his A1 game to produce a better result than last time.
Right-back: Sergi Roberto (Barcelona)
Bayern Munich's Benjamin Pavard makes a strong case too but he simply hasn't been up to snuff since last season. So the place goes to his Barcelona counterpart, who's started the new campaign on a bright note.
A renowned utility man at the club, Roberto has already scored more goals in La Liga (2) than he's ever managed before. He's also chipped in with an assist, as he's looked rejuvenated and will be a big test for Bayern too.
Centre-back: Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich)
Dayot Upamecano has long been the toast of the Bundesliga, winning numerous plaudits for his top-notch performances in the RB Leipzig defense.
Bayern Munich came calling for the services of the 22-year-old and he's made a fairly good impression so far.
Strong on the ball with a hulking figure that can be intimidating for even the most prolific attackers, Upamecano is positionally sound and a set-piece threat too.
His defensive nous will be crucial in keeping Barcelona's new-look attack at bay.
Centre-back: Gerard Pique (Barcelona)
A club legend, Gerard Pique is now in his 13th season at Barcelona and has come up against Bayern Munich on numerous occasions during this period.
He's won on a few occasions and lost on a few occasions. And just like some other Blaugrana stars on this list, he won't recollect his last meeting with the Bavarians fondly.
Pique, an uber-reliable defender, was all at sea and looked completely lost. However, he recovered from that horror with more assured performances last season.
Now 34, he remains as valuable to the club as ever. His wealth of experience and big-game pedigree will be crucial in coming up trumps against the in-form Bavarians.
Left-back: Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich)
There's been a renaissance of talented young players from North America lately. Among the best is Alphonso Davies, the Canadian road-runner with electric speed.
But that isn't his only attribute. The left-back is incredibly skilled, possesses supreme ball-control, dribbles adroitely and lays top-notch crosses.
While his form took a nosedive last season, Davies remains an exceptional prospect. He is capable of delivering in big moments like he did during their treble-winning season of 2019/20.
He ran the rings around Barcelona during their historic meeting last year, even registering an assist. Davies will be hoping for more of the same as the left-back seems to be getting back into the groove this season.
Defensive midfielder: Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich)
There are so many incredibly talented defensive midfielders in football, but no one can hold a candle to Joshua Kimmich, who's simply a cut above the rest.
A veritable Swiss army knife of a player, the German is key to dictating his side's play. He uses his superb vision and eye for free space to keep his side on the front-foot.
Kimmich's passes are top-notch too and crosses with great precision. What's more, he was also on target against Barcelona last year, a feat he'll be looking to repeat on Tuesday too.
Left-midfielder: Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona)
Frenkie de Jong has already impressed so much in his relatively short career. He's touted to emulate the legendary likes of Xavi and Andres Iniesta. No small comparisons.
But the best part is, the 24-year-old can still get better.
Following a slow start to life in Catalonia, the Dutchman found his feet and is now almost indispensable for the Blaugrana.
His meteoric rise has seen him become absolutely crucial to controlling their tempo and winning back possession.
De Jong's composure on the ball belies his age too and is likened to German legend Franz Beckenbauer for his penchant to progress forward in possession.
He was almost non-existent in the defeat to Bayern Munich last year, but will be hoping to put up a stronger challenge in midfield this time around.
Attacking midfielder: Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich)
There's never been a better playmaker in this generation than Thomas Muller. The cerebral assassin who exudes spatial intelligence like nobody else and hence rightfully nicknamed the 'Raumdeuter'.
He creates an exceptional number of chances with his ability to find space and timing his movements into those spaces to perfection.
Operating right behind the striker, Muller makes a lot of assists. In fact, he's made 21 in each of the last two league seasons alone, whilst also possessing an eye for goal.
His record against Barcelona is frankly ridiculous, scoring six times and assisting twice in just five games. This makes them one of his favorite opponents in the Champions League.
How much more is he going to get over the next two games?
Right midfielder: Pedri (Barcelona)
What a fantastic year it's been for Pedri! He came of age for Barcelona during the 2020/21 season. Hethen starred for Spain at Euro 2020, winning the best young player award too.
And if that wasn't enough, he later joined La Roja's Tokyo Olympic squad and won a silver medal.
Among the most promising young footballers in the world, Pedri is quick, creative and hard working. He also possesses an exceptional ability for exploiting gaps and playing defense-splitting throughballs.
If Bayern are to assert their dominance in the match, it's essential to keep Pedri quiet.
Striker: Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)
Strikers don't come any deadlier than Robert Lewandowski. The peerless Polish assassin has scored 100+ goals in the last two seasons alone. He has got the new campaign off to a flyer too, netting eight times in all competitions in just five games.
Pacy, technically-gifted and devastating with the ball at his feet, the 33-year-old is widely considered the best striker in the world. His ridiculous stats firmly back the claim too. By the end of the current season, he might as well surpass the 600 career goal mark.
The striker is known for stepping up to the plate in big games. He has an incredible record in the Champions League too with 73 goals to his name, behind only the 'big two' of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
He's faced Barcelona thrice with Bavarians, including in the historic 8-2 shellacking last year. In it, Lewandowski scored once, while his only other strike against them came in a 5-3 aggregate loss to them in 2015.
Is there another one on the cards?
Striker: Memphis Depay (Barcelona)
Winds of change blew over Barcelona this season with a few old guards, including Lionel Messi, leaving the club for new pastures. In their place, some new players were brought in to bolster the squad.
Among them was Memphis Depay, a prolific Dutch striker who signed on a free transfer from French side Lyon.
An infamous Premier League flop, the striker resurrected his career in Ligue 1. He netted 63 goals in the French top-flight in just 139 games for Les Gones, including a stunning 20-goal haul last season.
Depay has now got his career off in La Liga in similarly prolific fashion, scoring and assisting twice for Barcelona in three league games. He's looked sharp, deadly and right at home at his new club.
However, Bayern Munich will be a totally different prospect from the likes of Real Sociedad, Athletic Bilbao and Getafe. He'd know that very well, considering he was in the Lyon squad that were thumped 3-0 by the Bundesliga giants in the semi-finals last year.
The 27-year-old will have revenge on his mind. With better service than before, he might as well fancy his chances, given the Dutchman is in an excellent run of form right now.
