Barcelona vs Bayern Munich LIVE: Champions League latest score, goals and updates from fixture tonight
The clash of the week in Europe as two heavyweights meet
Barcelona host Bayern Munich in the first huge group stage clash of this season’s Champions League, a meeting of two clubs who have won 11 European Cups between them. The Spanish giants last won in 2015, but it’s barely over a year since their Bavarian opponents were celebrating being crowned kings of the Continent in Lisbon. Earlier on in that run to glory, Bayern smashed Barca 8-2 in one of the most memorable - and humiliating for the Catalans - games in the competition in recent times.
Domestically, Barcelona have made a fine start to the new season despite the departures of Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann, winning two and drawing one, but their weekend match with Sevilla was postponed so they have not played since before the international break. Bayern are already flying in the Bundesliga, two points off the top and unbeaten after four games - they’ll head into this match as favourites despite playing away from home.
Julian Nagelsmann faces his biggest test so far as the new boss, however, and Ronaldo Koeman will doubtless have a tactical plan to try and cope with the German side’s array of attacking options. Follow all the live updates as Barcelona host Bayern Munich in the Champions League below:
Champions League: Barcelona 0-0 Bayern Munich
30 min: Musiala had a heart-stopping shot at goal but the back three for Barca did well to close off the chance.
The hosts then countered through Depay and it ended in them winning a free kick.
Depay took the kick but the resulting header sailed over the bar.
Again Bayern get themselves in a promising position in the box but Barca’s defence is unshaken. How good has Pique been so far!
The sides are evenly matched so far, with both defences holding strong and the attacks just not coming off.
Champions League: Barcelona 0-0 Bayern Munich
25 min: Goretzka ended up with the ball at his feet and tried to pass the ball in but Barca read it well. The Germany international should have had a shot at goal as he had a lot of time to shoot.
Bayern do look dangerous in the midfield but their final third touches, passes and communication just aren’t clicking so far.
Barcelona are now on the attack to look to break this 0-0 deadlock. Ronald Koeman can be happy with how his side are controlling the game.
Champions League: Barcelona 0-0 Bayern Munich
21 min: A great save from Ter Stegen denied Davies and Barca immediately countered.
They got into the box and F. De Jong passed into the box to find L. De Jong but the pass was blocked.
Again Bayern countered, several attempts at goal blocked and eventually Lewandowski gets a shot away but the keeper collects it easily.
This one has been all action so far with Barca slightly edging it at the moment. Can the hosts keep it up or will the visitors start to turn the screw?
Champions League: Barcelona 0-0 Bayern Munich
18 min: Pique did well to spot the movement of Pavar who tried to feed Muller in the box.
Bayern have begun to step up their tempo after Barca have had the majority of possession so far.
Davies gave away a free kick for Barca as he handled, it was a harsh one though as F. De Jong did kick it directly into his arm.
A player to watch out for so far in this one is L. De Jong. He has been in the right place at the right time in every attack for the hosts so far.
Champions League: Barcelona 0-0 Bayern Munich
14 min: Lewandowski’s movement put himself in a great position in the box but R. Araujo seemed to push him in the back, bringing him to the floor.
The Polish international protested for a penalty to referee Michael Oliver but it wasn’t awarded.
F. De Jong then was away to thread the ball to Depay and fed L. De Jong. However, the offside flag was raised to quash the chance.
Bayern forced their way upfield and dancing feet from Musiala almost muscles the visitors into the box. Goretzka managed to get a shot away but the keeper caught it easily enough.
Champions League: Barcelona 0-0 Bayern Munich
10 min: Barcelona won a corner, building on their early possession, but the cross in was well handled by Bayern’s defence.
Still the hosts pressed in a calm and controlled performance but in a moment of madness Eric forced a foul.
Bayern had a free kick just outside their box to create their real first chance of the match. Sane took the kick but hit it straight into the wall.
Kimmich hit the rebound into the box but the chance ended in a wasted opportunity as Barca won the ball back.
Yellow card! Barcelona 0-0 Bayern Munich
5 min: Luuk de Jong, on loan from Sevilla, won a free kick after being fouled.
It was won in their own half and so the hosts had to build from deep. They got to the edge of the box but Davies did well to close down the ball to win a goal kick.
Barcelona continued to have the lion share of possession in the opening stages but couldn’t create anything of note.
Frenkie de Jong then created a chance but Kimmich brought him down to get a yellow card.
Champions League: Barcelona 0-0 Bayern Munich
The players came out to the pitch calm and collected for this Champions League clash.
It marks a new era for Barcelona in European football as it is their first campaign without Lionel Messi since 2004.
They have to contend with a side that has Robert Lewandowski starting. With Bayern being the favourites heading into this one, can the hosts shock the footballing world by pulling off a victory?
We will find out as this match has now kicked off. Stay tuned for all the goals, fouls and action in this fixture.
Barcelona vs Bayern Munich: 15 minutes to go
There isn’t long now until kick-off! Neutrals will be hoping for another high scoring match but Barca’s fans will be hoping for a change of fortune.
Just 15 minutes to go until we get underway.
Barcelona vs Bayern Munich: Messi-less Barca are unpredictable
Bayern Munich’s Manuel Neuer has said Barcelona are unpredictable without Lionel Messi in their ranks.
He said: “It’s unfamiliar, of course, for any team to play against Barcelona without Messi. But I wouldn’t say I’m any more relaxed, they still have great players in attack and are maybe even more difficult to predict. When you play against Barcelona you are never relaxed.
“The players will all be trying to take on more responsibility now that Messi isn’t there anymore. It’s obviously an unfamiliar situation for every team that lines up against Barcelona now.
“We’ll obviously never forget our game in 2020, but these are two new group stage games and we’re looking forward to two big ones. It’s a cracker to kick things off in the UCL and we’re excited to start our journey in this season’s competition.”
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