FC Barcelona vs Bayern Munich: Lineups, Team News, Injury Updates, and Match Overview
The clash between FC Barcelona and Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League on October 23, 2024, was one of the most anticipated fixtures of the season. It featured two of Europe’s most dominant clubs, both fielding squads filled with top-tier talent despite notable injury setbacks.
Barcelona entered the match without key players, including goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen, center-backs Ronald Araújo and Andreas Christensen, and forward Ferran Torres. Despite these absences, the Catalan side named a strong starting XI, with Iñaki Peña in goal, a backline of Jules Koundé, Pau Cubarsí, Íñigo Martínez, and Alejandro Balde. In midfield, Marc Casadó, Pedri, and Fermín López controlled the tempo, while the front three featured Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski, and the exciting young talent, Lamine Yamal.
Bayern Munich also faced injury concerns. They were without Aleksandar Pavlović (broken collarbone), Josip Stanisic, Sacha Boey, and others. Jamal Musiala, initially a doubt due to a hip injury, returned in time to feature as a substitute. Thomas Tuchel’s starting lineup included Manuel Neuer in goal; Raphaël Guerreiro, Dayot Upamecano, Kim Min-Jae, and Alphonso Davies in defense; Joshua Kimmich and João Palhinha in holding roles; and an attacking midfield trio of Michael Olise, Thomas Müller, and Serge Gnabry behind striker Harry Kane.
Barcelona dominated the match from the start. Raphinha was the star of the night, scoring a stunning hat-trick with goals in the 1st, 45th, and 56th minutes. Lewandowski added to the scoreline in the 36th minute, striking against his former club. Bayern’s only goal came in the 18th minute through Harry Kane, who briefly equalized before the Spanish side took control.
The match ended 4–1 in favor of Barcelona, marking a statement performance on home soil. The result was a major confidence boost for Xavi’s side, especially given the youth in their squad and the high-profile injuries they had to overcome. Bayern, on the other hand, struggled to cope with Barcelona’s intensity and pace, raising questions about their defensive stability and midfield cohesion.
In summary, the fixture showcased Barcelona’s resilience and attacking brilliance, while exposing vulnerabilities in Bayern’s game plan. It was a memorable night at the Camp Nou, and a reminder of Barcelona’s resurgence on the European stage.
