Barcelona vs. Bayern Munich result, highlights & analysis as Xavi's side suffer heavy defeat on night of Champions League exit

Graham Ruthven

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Barcelona vs. Bayern Munich result, highlights & analysis as Xavi's side suffer heavy defeat on night of Champions League exit image

Sadio Mane, Eric Maxim Chuopo-Moting and Benjamin Pavard all scored as Bayern Munich swept aside Barcelona in a 3-0 win at the Camp Nou.

The Catalans kicked off in the knowledge that they had already been eliminated from this season’s Champions League due to Inter’s 4-0 win over Viktoria Plzen in the early kick-off.

Bayern piled the misery on Barcelona by opening the scoring after 10 minutes with Mane racing clear of the home team’s defence to clip a neat finish past Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

Chuopo-Moting doubled the German champions’ lead just after the half-hour mark as Bayern once again found it too easy to get in behind Barca.

Barcelona looked to have been given a lifeline in the final minute of the first half when Matthijs de Ligt was penalised for a foul on Robert Lewandowski inside the box, but VAR overturned the decision.

VAR intervened again to disallow a third Bayern Munich goal from Serge Gnabry before the Bavarians put the finishing touches on the result in stoppage time as Pavard converted from a mishit Gnabry shot

MORE: Who could Barcelona face in the Europa League?

Barca exposed in the Champions League again

Domestically, Barcelona have been a tight defensive unit with Xavi's team conceding just four goals in 11 La Liga games. It's been a different story in the Champions League, though, where Barca have conceded 10 times in just five matches.

Opposition teams have found it far too easy to get in behind the Barcelona defence, as demonstrated by the first two Bayern Munich goals in this match.

Xavi might have to rethink his high defensive line when it comes to the Champions League.

Chuopo-Moting gives Bayern balance

Once seen as a back-up option and squad figure at the Allianz Arena, Chuopo-Moting has emerged as a key figure for Bayern Munich in recent matches with the former Stoke City forward once again performing well.

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Chuopo-Moting scored Bayern's second goal of the night, but Julian Nagelsmann will surely be most pleased with how the Cameroonian gives his team balance in the attacking third of the pitch. It might not be a long-term solution, but Chuopo-Moting is part of Bayern's strongest XI at this moment in time.

Musiala key to Nagelsmann's Bayern

Bayern are spoilt for choice in terms of attacking options, but Jamal Musiala has emerged as arguably their most important this season.

The 19-year-old is central to what Nagelsmann is building with his movement giving the German champions an extra dimension in the final third of the pitch.

Without Musiala, Barcelona might have outnumbered Bayern in the centre of the pitch, but the teenager was quick to drop deep and help out. He was also the first to get forward and aid Chuopo-Moting in yet another demonstration of Musiala's quality.

Barcelona vs. Bayern Munich final result

  1H 2H Final
Barcelona 0 0 0
Bayern Munich 2 1 3

Goals:

1-0 BAY - Sadio Mane - 10 mins

2-0 BAY - Eric Maxim Chuopo-Moting - 31 mins

3-0 BAY - Benjamin Pavard - 90+4 mins

Barcelona vs. Bayern Munich live updates, highlights from Champions League

90+4 mins: FULL TIME: Barcelona 0 Bayern Munich 3 - A comfortable victory for Bayern Munich on the night that Barcelona were eliminated from the group stage of the Champions League. The Catalans will drop down into the Europa League after Christmas.

90+4 mins: GOAL! Barcelona 0 Bayern Munich 3 (Pavard) - The finishing touches on the win for Bayern Munich as Pavard sneaks in at the back post to finish past Ter Stegen.

*Video available in US:

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90 mins: There will be FOUR minutes of stoppage time played at the end of the match.

87 mins: Lewandowski went off five minutes ago and he barely had a sniff of goal for Barcelona this evening. Bayern Munich were able to stop the supply line into their former centre forward. In general, Barca have been toothless.

85 mins: This match has fizzled out in the second half. The first half was an entertaining encounter, but Bayern Munich showed their quality by scoring two excellent goals through Mane and Chuopo-Moting. Barcelona were out of it after that.

82 mins: Barcelona sub - Lewandowski OFF, Torre ON

80 mins: Gnabry denied! Kimmich finds Gnabry out on the right side of the box, but Ter Stegen gets down quickly to make a comfortable save from the Bayern Munich attacker.

76 mins: This second half performance has been a bit disjointed from Bayern Munich who have taken their foot off the pedal somewhat. Even still, Barcelona are struggling to break them down despite having a great deal of possession in the opposition half.

74 mins: The changes from Xavi have livened up Barcelona. They are the ones dictating the match now and they have created a couple of decent half-chances, including that opportunity for Ansu not so long ago.

70 mins: Ansuuuuu... wide! Nearly an instant impact from Ansu who beats his man inside the Bayern Munich box to create the space for a shot, but his effort flashes wide of the near post!

69 mins: Barcelona subs - Dembele and Kounde OFF, Ansu and Garcia ON

67 mins: Bayern Munich sub - Musiala OFF, Gravenberch ON

65 mins: Ferran nearly in! The first touch from the Barcelona attacker got the ball out from his feet, but it runs through to Ulreich and the opportunity disappears.

64 mins: Bayern chance! Musiala played the pass into the middle for the run of Mane, but the former Liverpool winger didn't make the desired connection with his shot and Barcelona survive. That was so easy for the German champions.

62 mins: Bayern Munich sub - Chuopo-Moting OFF, Muller ON

61 mins: Barcelona have just made two attacking changes, but the way they are playing suggests this is now a damage limitation mission for the Catalans. They are sitting deep and allowing Bayern Munich to have plenty of the ball.

59 mins: Barca subs - Busquets and Pedri OFF, Raphinha and Torres ON

56 mins: GOAL DISALLOWED! Gnabry was in fact offside when the pass was played by Kimmich and the goal is disallowed!

55 mins: GOAL! Barcelona 0 Bayern Munich 3 (Gnabry) - A lovely third goal by Bayern Munich! Kimmich picks out Gnabry inside the box and the German winger bends a wonderful finish into the far corner of the Barcelona net!

53 mins: Chance for Busquets! Pedri sets the ball back to Busquets on the edge of the box, but the Barcelona midfielder was off-balance and he shoots well over the target!

51 mins: Barcelona were presented with an opportunity on the quick break. They had a two-on-one situation, but Dembele makes the wrong decision and Bayern Munich can clean things up at the back.

46 mins: No changes made by either manager at the break. This isn't surprising from Bayern Munich's point of view - things are going very well for them - but it's somewhat surprising that Xavi hasn't made any changes to his Barcelona team.

45 mins: The second half is under way! Barcelona are trailing Bayern Munich 2-0 after the opening 45 minutes.

HALF TIME READING: Barca will drop into the Europa League after Christmas, so who could they face? Read about their potential opponents here!

45+1 mins: HALF TIME: Barcelona 0 Bayern Munich 2 - Goals from Mane and Chuopo-Moting have given the German champions a two-goal lead at the break. It's a long way back for Barcelona from here.

45 mins: NO PENALTY! The VAR check shows de Ligt wins the ball and the spot kick has been rescinded!

44 mins: PENALTY TO BARCELONA! De Ligt fouls Lewandowski inside the box and the referee points to the spot!

42 mins: BOOKING - Busquets (Barcelona). The midfielder pulls back Musiala on the break and that's an easy decision for the referee.

40 mins: Upamecano fouls Busquets and the Bayern Munich centre back needs to be careful because he's already on a booking. A red card could potentially change the dynamic of the match.

38 mins: It's notable that Lewandowski has barely had a sniff in this match. Bayern Munich have done such an effective job of stopping their former number nine from getting on the end of any chances.

35 mins: BOOKING - Upamecano (Bayern Munich). The French defender is booked for a foul on Pedri.

33 mins: Xavi needs to rethink this high defensive line. That's the ninth goal that Barcelona have conceded in the Champions League this season and it's just far too easy for opponents to get in behind their backline.

31 mins: GOAL! Barcelona 0 Bayern Munich 2 (Chuopo-Moting) - It's a second Bayern Munich goal and this time it's Chuopo-Moting who tucks home the finish! Once again, the Barca defence is caught so high and Bayern brutally exposed that again!

29 mins: Musiala is such an important player for Bayern Munich. He offers an option in attack whenever the German champions have the ball, but also drops into midfield to make sure they don't get caught out in the centre of the pitch.

27 mins: Barcelona are struggling to get anything going. They are getting frustrated and this time it's Dembele who fouls Davies. The referee keeps his cards in his pocking - that could have been a booking.

24 mins: Musiala has the opportunity to break after a quick freekick, but Bayern Munich decide to turn back and maintain possession. They are playing a very smart match so far. Barcelona are struggling to create opportunities.

21 mins: BOOKING - Goretzka (Bayern Munich). The midfielder is shown a yellow card for fouling Busquets in the middle of the pitch.

19 mins: Shot wide! Musiala feeds a pass into Chuopo-Moting inside the box, but the Bayern Munich striker scuffs his effort comfortably wide of the target. He might have done better with that.

16 mins: Pedri tries to squeeze a pass through to Lewandowski, but Kimmich makes the interception and you get the sense that Barcelona have already lost some of their energy of the first 10 minutes. Bayern Munich are squeezing the life out of them.

11 mins: That was just too easy for Bayern Munich. Barcelona gave them far too much time and space to make the pass and it was easy for Mane to get in behind. Terrible defending from the Catalans.

10 mins: GOAL! Barcelona 0 Bayern Munich 1 (10' - Mane) - Bayern Munich make the breakthrough and Mane has stuck the ball in the back of the net! Gnabry played the pass in behind and Mane raced through to clip a neat finish past Ter Stegen!

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6 mins: It looks like Pedri might be playing on the left side of this Barcelona XI. The formation from Xavi is difficult to work out because he's not playing with two wingers as has been the case in most matches this season.

3 mins: Kessie played well in Barcelona's win over Athletic Club at the weekend and he has been given a chance by Xavi to play from the start this evening. Barca are trying to control the centre of the pitch.

1 min: The match is under way at the Camp Nou! It's Barcelona against Bayern Munich in this Champions League fixture!

5 mins to KO: What sort of match will we get at the Camp Nou? It's possible this could be rather flat given that both Barcelona and Bayern Munich already know their fate in this season's Champions League.

20 mins to KO: BARCELONA ARE OUT OF THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE! The full time whistle has blown on Inter's 4-0 win over Viktoria Plzen which means no matter what happens at the Camp Nou this evening Barca will drop into the Europa League after Christmas.

30 mins to KO: Both teams come into this match in impressive domestic form, but Barcelona have struggled for results in the Champions League. Xavi will face criticism after failing to guide the Catalans into the last 16 of the competition. Bayern, on the other hand, have won four out of four games so far.

45 mins to KO: Barcelona's participation in this season's Champions League is hanging by a thread and it might actually be over by the time this match kicks off. They needed Inter to drop points at home to Viktoria Plzen... and they are currently leading 3-0!

60 mins to KO: Choupo-Moting starts for Bayern! Nagelsmann has stuck with the attacking structure that has worked so well for the German champions in recent matches!

Bayern Munich XI - Ulreich (GK) - Mazraoui, De Ligt, Upamecano, Davies - Goretzka, Kimmich - Gnabry, Musiala, Mané - Choupo-Moting.

75 mins to KO: Kessie starts for Barca! Xavi has tweaked his team for this match with the former midfield packing the centre of the pitch for this evening's match.

Barcelona XI - Ter Stegen (GK) - Bellerín, Koundé, Marcos Alonso, Balde - De Jong, Busquets, Kessié, Pedri - Dembélé, Lewandowski.

90 mins to KO: Hello, and welcome to The Sporting News' live coverage of the Champions League fixture between Barcelona and Bayern Munich. Can the Catalans get the result they need to salvage their hopes of making the competition's last 16?

Barcelona vs. Bayern Munich lineups

Xavi has yet to find his best defence and he has shuffled the pack at the back once again for the Champions League match against Bayern Munich

Hector Bellerin is fit again and he has been favoured over Sergi Roberto at right back while Alejandro Balde comes back into the team at left back

Barcelona XI (4-4-2): Ter Stegen (GK) - Bellerín, Koundé, Marcos Alonso, Balde - De Jong, Busquets, Kessié, Pedri - Dembélé, Lewandowski.

MORE: Why Drake's logo is on Barcelona's jersey

Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting has started the last two matches as the number nine and he keeps his place in the Bayern Munich attack with Sadio Mane also coming into the XI for this match.

Lucas Hernandez and Leroy Sane are sidelined through injury with Manuel Neuer also missing for the Bavarians.

Bayern Munich XI (4-2-3-1): Ulreich (GK) - Mazraoui, De Ligt, Upamecano, Davies - Goretzka, Kimmich - Gnabry, Musiala, Mané - Choupo-Moting.

Graham Ruthven