Bayern Munich defeated Barcelona 3-0 at the Camp Nou, with goals from Sadio Mane, Eric Maxim Chuopo-Moting, and Benjamin Pavard.
The Catalans began knowing they had already been eliminated from this season’s Champions League due to Inter’s 4-0 triumph over Viktoria Plzen in the early kick-off.
Bayern Munich opened the score after 10 minutes, with Mane running free of the home team’s defense to clip a nice finish past Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
Just after the half-hour mark, Eric Maxim Chuopo-Moting increased Bayern Munich’s lead, as Bayern Munich once again found it too simple to get in behind Barcelona.
Matthijs de Ligt appeared to have handed Barcelona a lifeline in the closing minute of the first half when he was penalized for a foul on Robert Lewandowski inside the area, but VAR reversed the call.
VAR was called again to rule out a third Bayern Munich goal from Serge Gnabry before the Bavarians sealed the victory in stoppage time when Pavard scored following a mishit Gnabry attempt.
Barca exposed in the Champions League again
Domestically, Barcelona has been a tight defensive squad, surrendering only four goals in 11 La Liga games under Xavi. But it’s been a different story in the Champions League, where Barcelona has surrendered 10 goals in only five games.
As seen by the first two Bayern Munich goals in this encounter, opposition teams have found it far too simple to get in behind the Barcelona defense. When it comes to the Champions League, Xavi may have to reconsider his high defensive line.
Chuopo-Moting gives Bayern balance
Once seen as a back-up option and squad figure at the Allianz Arena, Chuopo-Moting has emerged as a key figure for Bayern Munich in recent matches with the former Stoke City forward once again performing well.
ERIC MAXIM CHOUPO-MOTING DOUBLES BAYERN MUNICH'S LEAD. 👀 pic.twitter.com/RbKLuvQu5R
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) October 26, 2022
Chuopo-Moting scored Bayern Munich’s second goal of the night, but Julian Nagelsmann will surely be most pleased with how the Cameroonian gives his team balance in the attacking third of the pitch. It might not be a long-term solution, but Chuopo-Moting is part of Bayern’s strongest XI at this moment in time.
Musiala key to Nagelsmann’s Bayern
In terms of offensive possibilities, Bayern Munich is loaded for choice, but Jamal Musiala has emerged as possibly their most significant this season. With his mobility offering the German champions an extra dimension in the last third of the game, the 19-year-old is vital to what Nagelsmann is constructing.
Barcelona may have outnumbered Bayern Munich in the center of the field without Musiala, but the youngster was eager to drop deep and assist. He was also fast to advance and assist Chuopo-Moting. This was another another example of Musiala’s talent.
