Bayern Munich coach Julian Nagelsmann has challenged his team to “send a message” to their Champions League opponents by completing a group-stage double over Barcelona.
Barcelona are facing elimination ahead of Wednesday’s Group C clash at Camp Nou, where even a win may not be enough to keep them in the hunt for a last-16 spot – they need Viktoria Plzen to shock Inter in the other group game.
Bayern, on the other hand, is determined to take all three points, and head coach Nagelsmann stated on the eve of the game that his players should ignore the issues that affect their opponents.
Julian Nagelsmann’s comment
“We’re already through to the next round,” he said. “To be honest, it’s not important to me who else gets through. The only thing that matters to me is that we finish first.
“We have nothing against Barca, but we have a passion for winning. If you want to win the Champions League, you have to send a message to your opponents. Tomorrow will be an opportunity to do exactly that.”
Bayern vs Barcelona previous fixture
Bayern Munich defeated Barcelona 2-0 at the Allianz Arena six weeks ago, with Lucas Hernandez and Leroy Sane scoring after the Bundesliga champions held the LaLiga side at bay in the first half.
Barcelona could have been 3-0 up at halftime in that game, according to Nagelsmann, but their lack of a clinical finish cost them.
With only one point from two meetings versus Inter since, the Catalans are on their way out of the top flight and into the Europa League.
Nagelsmann laughed off an airport arrival video in which Thomas Muller said he and Bayern Munich were interested in signing Robert Lewandowski, the striker who left the Germans for Barcelona following a 50-goal season in 2021-22.
Nagelsmann stated that Muller and Lewandowski have “a great connection” and that he is pleased, based on Instagram posts, that Lewandowski appears to be happy in Barcelona.
“I saw he scored a lot of goals, so I think he’s happy,” Nagelsmann said.
“I’m always happy when people I’ve worked with are happy in their lives, and it looks like he is by his posts. We are happy too, so it’s all good.”
Robert Lewandowski’s stats so far
So far, Lewandowski has 17 goals in 15 appearances for Barcelona. Five of those goals have come in the Champions League, including a hat-trick against Viktoria Plzen and two late in the 3-3 draw with Inter at Camp Nou.
As Barcelona appears to be on the verge of exiting the top flight, Nagelsmann praised the club’s “extreme” transformation in recent years.
“It’s always good to improve your squad and Barcelona did that. They have a great squad,” Nagelsmann said. “It’s a massive squad with a lot of success on the European stage and national level.
“They are one of the most attractive teams to watch. I’m not sure how it will affect them financially in the event of an exit.”
