Bayern Munich have extended their recent hoodoo over fellow European giants Barcelona courtesy of a 2-0 win in their Champions League Group C clash at the Allianz Arena this evening.
Two goals in the space of four minutes early in the second half earned Julian Nagelsmann's men their fifth successive victory over Barcelona, with Lucas Hernandez and Leroy Sane getting on the scoresheet for the hosts.
Barcelona were made to rue a series of missed chances during a breathless first half, with the in-form Robert Lewandowski among those most guilty of spurning opportunities on his return to his former club.
Gavi, who is understood to be on the verge of signing a new long-term contract with the club, also hit the post when he should have scored in the second half as Bayern ruthlessly punished the visitors' profligacy.
Barca may have been forgiven for dreading their trip to Munich having been beaten 3-0 home and away by the same side last season, while the scars of their 8-2 humiliation in the 2019-20 quarter-finals have not yet fully healed.
However, it was Xavi's new-look side that came flying out of the blocks, with Bayern forced to withstand a first-half siege which saw Barcelona pepper their goal with 10 shots.
Pedri, Lewandowski and Gavi all squandered presentable chances inside the opening 20 minutes, including a one on one for the returning Lewandowski which he blazed over - the type of chance he made a habit of burying on his way to a haul of 38 goals in 37 Champions League outings at the stadium while a Bayern player.
Raphinha also came close for the visitors either side of the interval, while Bayern's most notable moment of an entertaining first half saw Marcel Sabitzer fire wide.
It did not take long after the break for Bayern to make the most of their let-offs, though, as Hernandez opened the scoring from Joshua Kimmich's corner after Raphinha had misjudged the ball.
Right place ✅
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) September 13, 2022
Right time ✅
Lucas Hernandez arrives at the near-post and heads home Joshua Kimmich's corner ⚽️#UCL pic.twitter.com/p8gRGgeasN
One became two just four minutes later when Jamal Musiala slid the ball to Sane, who continued his fine recent Champions League record by bursting past his marker and slotting a finish past Marc-Andre ter Stegen despite the Barcelona keeper getting something on the ball.
A Barca fightback might have been on the cards had Pedri ended a slick piece of linkup play with Lewandowski by finishing the chance, but with Manuel Neuer bearing down on him he could only hit the woodwork.
The result leaves Bayern top of Group C with a maximum six points from six, while Barcelona sit in second, above Inter Milan on goal difference after the Italian outfit beat Viktoria Plzen earlier in the day.
Barney Corkhill
