Bayern Munich earned another memorable victory over Barcelona, this time beating the Spanish club 2-0 on Tuesday.
Barcelona took Bayern Munich's star this summer, but the German club continue to torment the Blaugrana with or without Robert Lewandowski.
Talk of a new era, spurred on by the Lewandowski signing, will be put on hold, even if the Catalans were much better this time around than they have been in recent meetings. They were actually in control for much of the first half, but were far too wasteful in front of the net.
From the famous 8-2 to a pair of 3-0 results last season, Bayern Munich have humbled Barcelona in recent years, and Xavi's team were quieted once again at the Allianz Arena.
Lucas Hernandez seized the momentum with a header early in the second half, while an absolutely dazzling finish from Leroy Sane sealed Barcelona's fate.
Getty ImagesThe Winners
Dayot Upamecano:
A wall. An absolute wall.
What a performance from the French defender, who was handed the start over Matthijs de Ligt. He paid back Julian Nagelsmann in a big way.
Upamecano was virtually faultless, going toe-to-toe with his former team-mate Lewandowski all day. He snuffed out several clear-cut chances, essentially saving the game several times before Bayern Munich's attack turned on.
He was often criticised in his first season with Bayern Munich, but he's a key man now.
Leroy Sane:
What can you say about that goal?
It's moments of magic like Sane's that get fans out of their seats, and boy did they rise at the Allianz. Sane can do things that few in the world can match.
There's something special about seeing him in full stride, although Barcelona won't feel as happy to have witnessed it. As he ran straight through Barcelona's new-look defence, all they could do was chase what must have felt like a shadow.
And as Sane tapped his shot past Marc-Andre Ter Stegen and into the back of the net, the game was effectively over.
The Bayern Munich way:
The players and coaches change, but the results sure don't. Bayern are Bayern, no matter who wears the shirt.
Lewandowski was on the other side, but it didn't matter. Bayern Munich had others pick up the slack.
As Gary Lineker once famously said, "Twenty-two men chase a ball for 90 minutes and at the end, the Germans always win."
No one better exemplifies that than Bayern Munich – when you come to their home, you know what you're in for. It may not have been as dominant in as years past, but it was equally effective.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesThe Losers
Robert Lewandowski:
This wasn't the homecoming he dreamed about.
Lewandowski was all smiles before the match, greeting his former team-mates in the tunnel. He embraced Manuel Neuer, Thomas Muller and Joshua Kimmich, players who stood alongside him as he became arguably the best in the world.
But, playing in his former home, Lewandowski didn't look like the best in the world. Instead, he looked oddly human.
Lewandowski was uncharacteristically wasteful, even if he was as dominant as usual when it came to chance creation.
Chances were missed and moments were wasted, as Lewandowski and Barcelona were never able to seize control of the game, even if they should have.
Marcos Alonso:
For 45 minutes, Alonso demonstrated exactly why Barcelona signed him from Chelsea. He looked like the stopgap everyone expected to be, an exceptional left-back to bridge the gap from Jordi Alba to the next generation.
One moment of negligence doesn't lose him that status, but it did contribute to Barcelona losing the game.
It was a mental lapse that those that follow Chelsea would be familiar with. With the game still scoreless after a strong Barcelona first half, Alonso completely turned off for a set piece.
Lucas Hernandez dashed in, and Alonso was left defending no one. Completely free with his header, it was an easy finish for the French World Cup winner.
Ousmane Dembele:
Dembele has played himself into a different stratosphere this year, becoming one of the most dangerous wingers in the world. Becuse of that, the expectations are now higher.
World-class wingers aren't allowed to be as wasteful as Dembele was because, wow, was he wasteful. Dembele gave the ball away time and time again as Barcelona's attack lacked the needed edge in the final third.
Raphinha, Ansu Fati, Ferran Torres… Barcelona can survive a day when they aren't at their best. But, at this point, they can't win these big games unless Dembele is an absolute killer, and he simply wasn't on Tuesday night.
Getty ImagesBarcelona Ratings: Defence
Marc-Andre Ter Stegen (5/10):
Absolutely undone by Sane, but so was the entire Barcelona defence.
Marcos Alonso (5/10):
Solid, except for one moment, but it was the one moment that counted.
Andreas Christensen (7/10):
Didn't do much wrong and won every duel he was a part of.
Ronald Araujo (6/10):
Nothing spectacular.
Jules Kounde (6/10):
Played at right-back. Not much offensively, but was okay in defence.
Getty ImagesMidfield
Pedri (7/10):
What a player he is. Deserved at least one or two goal contributions. Arguably Barcelona's best man – though he should have finished better.
Sergio Busquets (6/10):
Started over Kessie, was good on the ball, but did have a few scary moments as Bayern Munich overran the midfield.
Gavi (7/10):
All intensity as a new contract nears. Fantastic on the ball, but was sacrificed after the goals.