The Catalans, having lost their previous six encounters against Bayern, dominated the six-time champions at the Olympic Stadium, with Robert Lewandowski also adding his name to the scoresheet.
Source: NDTV
Raphinha delivered a stunning hat-trick as Barcelona crushed Bayern Munich 4-1 in a thrilling Champions League group stage clash on Wednesday. Despite losing their previous six meetings against Bayern, Barcelona outclassed the six-time winners at the Olympic Stadium. Robert Lewandowski also found the back of the net for the Catalans, while Harry Kane scored the lone goal for Bayern. Hansi Flick, who famously led Bayern to an 8-2 demolition of Barca in 2020, masterminded this emphatic victory, signaling that Barcelona could be poised to reclaim the Champions League title for the first time since 2015 after a period of disappointment.
This defeat leaves Bayern with just one win from their first three group matches, placing them in the lower half of the table, while Barcelona now sit comfortably in the top third with two victories.
“To me, this game could have been a Champions League final. Winning it in such fashion, in front of our fans, is very special, and I leave here happy,” Raphinha told Movistar. “Getting our second win in the Champions League was important. Now, we need to focus on Saturday’s game.”
Barcelona are set to face Real Madrid in a high-stakes La Liga Clasico this weekend and warmed up for it with this commanding performance.
“If you win games like this, you have to celebrate it. It’s incredible for the team and gives us the confidence to believe in ourselves ahead of Saturday,” Flick said.
Barcelona had not scored in their last four meetings with Bayern, but they struck within the first minute. Fermin Lopez played a perfect through ball to Raphinha, who coolly dribbled past Manuel Neuer and slotted the ball home on his 100th appearance for the club, proudly wearing the captain’s armband.
Bayern responded quickly, and after seeing a goal ruled out for offside, Harry Kane equalized in the 18th minute with an acrobatic finish from Serge Gnabry’s cross, taking advantage of Barcelona’s disorganized defense.
However, Barcelona soon regained their composure. Lewandowski, a former Bayern player, had several chances before finally scoring their second goal. Fermin Lopez set up the Polish striker, leaving Kim Min-jae behind with a clever move before assisting Lewandowski, who converted with ease. The veteran striker now boasts 15 goals in 13 appearances under Flick’s leadership.
Raphinha was unstoppable, scoring his second goal just before halftime with a superb strike through Dayot Upamecano’s legs, leaving Neuer helpless.
Ten minutes into the second half, Raphinha completed his hat-trick with a brilliant chest control of Lamine Yamal’s pass, followed by a powerful shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.
Bayern coach Vincent Kompany responded with four substitutions, bringing on Musiala, Coman, Sane, and Goretzka, but it was too late. At 4-1, Barcelona’s fans began cheering their team’s passes as Bayern chased shadows.
“For the fans, this was revenge,” said Raphinha, reflecting on Barca’s past defeats to Bayern. “As a fan, I suffered through those games too.”
At full-time, Raphinha was hoisted into the air by his teammates, clutching the match ball after his incredible performance.
Barcelona, who haven’t reached the Champions League semi-finals since 2019, are beginning to believe that Flick could restore them to Europe’s elite. Meanwhile, Bayern, last season’s semi-finalists, were left licking their wounds.
“The whole team gave 100 percent, but today, 100 percent wasn’t enough,” Kompany admitted. “It felt like we could edge this game, but in the key moments, we were outdone, and that’s why the result is so heavy.”
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