Thomas Muller’s deflected strike for the opener was an unlucky option to fall behind, however the gulf in school between the 2 sides was evident all through.
Had it not been for goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Bayern might effectively have gotten near final yr’s crushing scoreline, although even his heroics couldn’t stop the irrepressible Robert Lewandowski from scoring a brace that took his complete Champions League tally to 75.
‘We’re who we’re’
Having slid in a determined try and deny Lewandowski from scoring his second of the match, photos of Gerard Pique, key to a lot of Barcelona’s best triumphs, watching on helpless from the ground because the Polish ahead fired dwelling served as a painful encapsulation of the membership’s present state.
Pique has stayed on the Camp Nou regardless of the departures of key gamers comparable to Neymar and Luís Suárez in recent times, to not point out Antoine Griezmann and Messi this summer time, and following the sport the centerback was candid in his evaluation of Barcelona’s current struggles.
“The result’s tough and enjoying at dwelling, it is a unhealthy outcome, we will not mislead ourselves,” Pique informed Spanish broadcaster Movistar.
“It’s what it’s, proper now, we’re who we’re”, he added.
Pique referenced the absences of teenager Ansu Fati, in addition to winger Ousmane Dembele and new signing Sergio Agüero, who arrived from Manchester Metropolis this summer time.
“I hope that all through the season, injured gamers begin coming again and I am satisfied that we’ll find yourself competing effectively. It is going to be a really difficult yr,” he continued.
“Proper now, we’re not favorites, however issues change actually quick in soccer. Final season, nobody would have stated Chelsea have been favorites [to win the Champions League].”
With 17-year previous substitute Alejandro Martínez certainly one of a number of youngsters on the pitch by the sport’s finish, Pique discovered trigger for future optimism regardless of his acceptance of the current challenges going through the membership.
“I believe that on the finish of the day, we performed with 4 to 5 youngsters of 18 years previous,” he informed CBS.
“I believe that they compete superb and we now have to spend money on them, they’re the way forward for the membership.
“It’s true that it isn’t the perfect time since I’ve been right here, we now have suffered a bit however I believe that we are going to develop up, we might be higher and I am certain that, on the finish of the yr, we are going to compete for the titles,” Pique stated.
‘It’s what it’s’
Barcelona supervisor Ronald Koeman echoed his defender’s feedback in accepting the present state of the membership, admitting a “high quality” hole between his aspect and Bayern.
“We solely had three forwards immediately, no extra. Tactically, there have been loads of phases of the sport that we managed. We tried to fill areas close to Lewandowski, we tried to compete higher, however it’s what it’s,” Koeman informed Movistar.
“I am unable to complain about our angle. There is a distinction in high quality, within the staff, as a gaggle and bench that is been getting higher. In two or three years, these younger gamers might be higher. It is actually tough to simply accept, however it’s what it’s,” he concluded.
In the meantime, Messi is about to embark on a Champions League marketing campaign with out Barcelona for the first-time in his profession as Paris Saint-Germain face Membership Brugge in Belgium tonight.
