CNN
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For eight seasons, Bayern Munich followers had change into accustomed to watching Robert Lewandowski discover the again of the online on nearly a weekly foundation.
The Polish striker, one of many biggest forwards within the membership’s historical past, returned to the Allianz Area on Tuesday for the primary time since swapping Bavaria for Barcelona in the summertime – and it wasn’t fairly the return he would have hoped for.
Lewandowski missed quite a few golden alternatives – one particularly within the first half, eight yards from objective, that he would often rating in his sleep – to depart the door open for Bayern to seize an important 2-0 win on this Champions League heavyweight conflict.
Second half objectives from Lucas Hernandez and Leroy Sané secured the three factors and prolonged Bayern’s exceptional unbeaten run within the Champions League group levels to 30 matches, a streak that stretches again to 2017.
As soon as Barça’s “financial levers” had been activated to permit the membership to register its summer season signings, Lewandowski hit the bottom working in his new residence and bagged 9 objectives in six video games previous to Tuesday’s match.
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The 34-year-old acquired a comparatively heat reception from the Allianz devoted on his return, however Bayern followers would have been as delighted as they had been shocked to see their former hero miss so many possibilities.
Profligacy in entrance of objective apart, there will likely be loads of positives for Barcelona and its head coach Xavi to remove from the match, with the group competing for many of the 90 minutes towards a Bayern aspect many predict to go far on this season’s Champions League.
“This consequence doesn’t inform the true story,” Barça midfielder Pedri mentioned after the sport. “Our first half show merited far more than 0-0 at halftime, however after all, for those who fail to place possibilities away towards an enormous rival like Bayern, you’ll find yourself paying.”
Xavi mentioned he was “pissed off” with the consequence on an evening he felt his group might have received.
“However I’m additionally feeling happy with the group,” he added. “Nonetheless, it’s about successful and we’ll must compete higher in essential moments like the 2 objectives and to be simpler after we create possibilities.”
Nonetheless, it hasn’t precisely been plain crusing for Julian Nagelsmann and Bayern in latest matches.
Eyebrows are raised any time the group fails to win a match within the Bundesliga and, given the present run of three consecutive attracts, maybe that is as near a disaster as Bayern can get in home soccer.
The win will definitely assist ease any early season stress Nagelsmann might have been feeling, however the efficiency of his group for lengthy stretches of the match will nonetheless go away rather a lot to be desired.
Sadio Mané, Bayern’s marquee summer season signing from Liverpool, struggled to make a lot of an affect up towards Barcelona’s makeshift proper again Jules Koundé, whereas an indignant Sané took his frustration at being substituted out on a bottle within the dugout.
“Within the first half, Barcelona had the higher possibilities than us,” Nagelsmann mentioned. “Our closing ball wasn’t fairly there. It was a lot better within the second half and our effectivity made the distinction.”