Barcelona vs Bayern Munich: Combined XI ahead of UCL matchday 3 clash
Defense
LB: Alphonso Davies
Alphonso Davies has been consistently solid for FC Bayern this season. While still a far cry from his best version which was seen in 2019–20, the left-back is growing in confidence and form after multiple mediocre seasons at the Bavarian club. The Canadian has always performed well against Barcelona, often being most useful as a buildup cheat code taking the ball from defense to attack within seconds.
CB: Kim Min-jae
Kim Min-jae’s aerial dueling prowess and rapid pace have been key in Kompany’s high-line system. His performances have shown a big improvement from last season and he’s finally looking like the formidable defender Bayern brought from a Scudetto-winning Napoli in 2023.
CB: Pau Cubarsi
Another one of Barcelona’s young gems, the 17-year-old looks beyond his years as he possesses the maturity of a seasoned defender and is already touted by many as one of the best ball-playing center-backs in Spain. The La Masia graduate has featured in every single game of the season and will be crucial if Barca aims to dominate possession against Bayern.
RB: Joules Kounde
Joules Kounde has been performing consistently at the highest level this season. He forms a formidable right-wing duo with Lamine Yamal and the two players pose a relentless attacking threat throughout the game.
Goalkeeper
Manuel Neuer
Manuel Neuer has not been in top form this season but with all due respect, Barcelona’s Iñaki Peña doesn’t hold a candle to him anyway. It should be noted that Hansi Flick has already disclosed that it would be Peña and not Szczęsny who would guard their sticks against Bayern, not that it would have changed our pick.
Coach
Hansi Flick
There’s no question who wins this matchup. Hansi Flick has been in football management ever since he retired as a player in the late 90s. He’s taken on several roles like Assistant coach, Head coach, and Sporting Director throughout his career. The German most famously won the sextuple with Bayern Munich having only been appointed in the middle of the season. Now at Barcelona, he has brought the same high-intensity gegenpressing style of football that he successfully played at Bayern. Kompany on the other hand, is relatively inexperienced and unproven so far in handling a top European club.