Berlin (Germany) Sep 15: On long Champions League journeys Bayern's Thomas Mueller is responsible for the team's good mood.
When facing Barcelona, the 32-year-old seems to add another important field of work to his duties such as scoring goals.
In six games against the Spanish giant, the German international scored seven goals.
Mueller didn't score more goals against any other team in that competition.
The 2014 World Champion is the most successful player in the history of the Champions League when it comes to scoring against the Spaniards.
"It seems I like to score against Barca," Mueller said with a wink. One day after his birthday he added: "Barca as a playing team is allowing more spaces for strikers. That seems perfect for a player like me."
His 1-0 lead in the group E curtain-raiser opened doors for the Bavarians to secure an undisputed 3-0 victory.
In his 125th Champions League game in Bayern's shirt, the club icon scored his 49th goal.
Like in the case of Mueller Bayern can rely on the delivery service of spearhead Robert Lewandowski. The 33-year-old Pole scored at 2-0 and 3-0 at Camp Nou, his goals 74 and 75 in 97 Champions League games.
"It was important to gain game control. We showed from the first moment we are determined to win this game," Lewandowski said after his tenth 2021/2022 season goal (6 games).
In Barcelona's first Champions League game without Lionel Messi, who departed for Paris after 18 years in Barca's shirt, lost game control after ten stronger minutes.
As soon as Bayern adjusted his game to Barca's back-row of five in a 5-3-2 system, Leon Goretzka and Joshua Kimmich took control of the midfield in a 4-1-4-1 formation.
According to media reports, Goretzka is in advanced negotiations to soon extend his contract until 2026. Kimmich has signed a new contract until 2025.
The Germans created several chances until Mueller's shot was deflected by Barcelona defender Garcia.
A lucky shot, but a well-deserved result turning things in favor of the over 90 minutes superior side.
Lewandowski twice benefitted from a teammate hitting the post. First, it was 18-year-old youngster Jamal Musiala followed by substitute Serge Gnabry.
After the devastating 8-2 in August 2020 in the Lisbon quarterfinal, Barcelona again was without any chance to strike back in a duel of different quality classes. Mueller scored twice that time.
Financially battered Barcelona seems to face a difficult re-launch of his team after Messi and Antoine Griezmann left an overaged squad.
The victory was a perfect start for Bayern's new coach Julian Nagelsmann and makes his squad one of this season's Champions League favorites.
The Bavarians won their 19th consecutive away game in the Champions League.
The 34-year-old is the third German coach after Felix Magath and Thomas Tuchel having coached three different clubs in the Champions League (Hoffenheim/Leipzig).
Both teams continue their campaign on September 29, when Barca is crossing swords with Benfica while Bayern is facing Kyiv.
Source: Xinhua