FOURmidable Barcelona punishes Bayern Munich in style

Barcelona finally found joy against old time foes – Bayern Munich – as their six-match run of defeats in head to head meetings with the German giants came to an end in style. 

A captain Raphinha hat-trick and a goal from Lewandowski inspired Hansi Flick’s side to a 4-1 defeat of his former employers. 

There were high expectations for plenty goaks in this tie and it became apparent inside the opening minute, with Raphinha latching onto a through ball from Fermin Lopez and showed a great composure in rounding off Manuel Neuer and slide his shot into the net to give the Catalans an early lead. 

Bayern Munich replied almost immediately when Harry Kane headed in a cross from Thomas Müller but was denied by an offside call. However, they remained unfazed by that setback and got their equalizer in the 18th minute when Kane clinically struck from Serge Gnabry’s cross.

Barca’s second goal of the night came shortly after a lapse from Bayern goalie – Neuer. Fermin got behind Kim Min-jae and reached the ball before the German goalkeeper, subsequently laid it for Lewandowski to apply an easy finish.

Raphinha then bagged his second of the encounter on the stroke of half time, receiving Marc Casadó’s delightful pass and blitzed forward, before firing through the legs of Bayern’s Upamecano.

Bayern Munich came in the second period a shadow of themselves, and that ensured Barca had the control of proceedings. While Lewandowski was being monitored by the Vincent Kompany’s defense, the brilliant Raphinha was never going to be stopped.

Lamine Yamal’s sublime pass to the Brazilian was calmly chested and he raced forward before sending an effort into the net to complete his hat-trick. Kompany’s response was a 4-man substitution in the 60th minute but none of the substitute’s was capable of causing the Spaniards any harm.

The 4-1 victory means that Hansi Flick’s side has gotten the right approach for Sunday’s El-Clasico, while Bayern have lost three successive away European matches for the first time.