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Champions League: Robert Lewandowski's Bayern Munich return for Barcelona ruined by Hernandez, Sane goals

FC Bayern München v FC Barcelona: Group C - UEFA Champions League
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Barcelona and Bayern Munich both had plenty of chances on Tuesday when they met in the Champions League group stage's second matchday. But only one side made them count and they walked away with the three points. Bayern scored two goals early in the second half to defeat a wasteful Barca side, 2-0, at the Allianz Arena, ruining Robert Lewandowski's return.

Lucas Hernandez headed home a Joshua Kimmich corner kick in the 50th minute, and Leroy Sane scored a stellar second for the hosts four minutes later as the German side took full command of Group C with six points from two games. 

Here's the game-winning goal:

They now have a three-point advantage over Barca and Inter Milan, the latter having defeated Viktoria Plzen earlier in the day. 

Here's Bayern's second goal:

Bayern were far from sharp in this one, lacking a key pass several times in the first half, but their sharpness improved in the second half, capitalizing on woeful Barca defending. The Catalan club, on the other side, had some incredible opportunities but lacked precision. Lewandowski, who had scored in five straight games for Barca, failed to convert against his former club, missing a couple of golden opportunities.

Here are three takeaways from the match:

The Barca defense was horrendous

It was not a great showing for this Barca backline. Andreas Christensen and Ronald Araujo started at center back, but they might have been better off going with an old Gerard Pique considering how woeful they were. There was a lack of connectivity between the four main defenders and the execution just wasn't there.

On the first goal, Marcos Alonso, a player who, while technically a defender, is on the field for his attacking attributes,, left Hernandez completely wide open for his front-post header to score the opening goal. 

On the second goal, defenders Jules Kounde and Araujo had what seemed like 20 yards between them, allowing a gaping hole for Sane to pass through before finishing. Now, Kounde was at right back and wasn't in the worst position ever, but if you go back and watch the highlight, you will see Andreas Christensen on the left of the picture, way behind Sane. His positioning there was inexcusable. He took a poor angle at trying to defend Jamal Musiala, and by the time he looked up, Sane was through on goal. 

There's plenty of work to do along that backline, but Christensen didn't do himself any favors with that performance.

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It was far from the return Lewandowski expected 

Most probably expected Lewandowski to score. After all, he had found the net in his last five games for Barca and had been unstoppable. But this was one of those games to forget. 

Lewandowski had seven shots in the game, the most he's had in a match for Barca. But four of those were blocked and just two were on frame. Perhaps what was his best chance, coming in the first half, saw him lift a golden opportunity over the crossbar from inside the box. He also then had a back-post header denied by Manuel Neuer that looked like a sure goal. 

He put just 28.6% of his shots on goal, his lowest percentage when having at least five shots since March.

The Bavarians are in full control of Group C

Two games against Viktoria Plzen for Matchday 3 and Matchday 4 means Bayern will likely have 12 points after four games, and that could be enough in the end to win the group. While their domestic form may be below average with three consecutive draws, they look likely to run away with this group after two games. 

But that doesn't quite mean all is gravy. The 18 shots they conceded is the second most they've given up since November of 2020, and the 2.0 xG against is the most they've allowed in a UCL game since facing Liverpool during the 2018-19 season. 

They gave up way too many good looks, they were slow to react on one-touch passes into the box, and they were lucky at the end of the day that Barca left their scoring boots back in Spain.

It's a positive result, but Julian Nagelsmann knows there is plenty of work left to do.

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Pedri off the post!

That was the chance to get back into it! A great combination of Pedri and Lewandowski sees the young Spanish star played through on goal! But he goes for a fancy little lofted shot and hits the post! What a waste!

 
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Bayern strike again! Sane!

In the 54th minute, Bayern have gone 2-0 up! Sane with a silky finish inside the box! That's two goals in four minutes for the hosts! 

 
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Goal Bayern! Lucas!

The Bavarians take the lead just four minutes into the second half! Lucas Hernandez heads home at the front post! It's poor defending by Marcos Alonso! 

 
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The second half is underway!

Action is back at the Allianz Arena as the game figures to remain open and with chances! Bayern have the first good chance of the second half with a rocket from Goretzka that Ter Stegen pushes wide!

 
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Halftime thoughts

A fun first half. Bayern actually got the ball into some advanced positions but really struggled to find that key pass to create something. They finish the first half with just three shots and an xG of 0.19. 

On the other side, Barca looked good. They had nine shots in that first half and an xG of 1.25, but Lewandowski, Gavi and Pedri were all quite wasteful in front of goal.

It's all square at the break with both teams looking to show a bit more quality in the attacking third.

 
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Another fine chance for Lewandowski

Boy is he getting some good looks. He's into the box again and is about to fire on frame, but a fine tackle from Noussair Mazraoui at just the most opportune time denies him! 

 
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The huge miss from Lewandowski

 
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Neuer denies Lewandowski!

Another great chance from the Polish superstar! He goes back post for a header and manages to connect on it well, but Neuer is there to meet it and just barely keep it out of the goal!

 
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Here's the Pedri chance

 
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What a miss from Lewandowski!

Oh goodness! What a chance that was for Barca! Lewandowski was wide open in the box and fires a ball over the goal! It looked like a sure thing!

 
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Big save by Neuer!

What a chance for Bayern! Fantastic pressure from Lewandowski to recover the ball, as Kounde finds Pedri, and he finds Gavi. The young Spanish star fakes a shot and gets a fantastic look on goal, sending the ball on frame, but it is saved easily by Neuer!

 
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A quite start

Not much happening in the early moments aside from a Busquets turnover that could have led to trouble, but a poor pass from Musiala resulted in a turnover. Bayern are seeing much more of the ball eight minutes in.

 
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Underway!

The match in Munich has begn! 

 
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No booing for Lewandowski

Our Peter Schmeichel on the reception Lewandowski received in his return to Munich:

 
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Match prediction: Bayern Munich 1, Barcelona 3. 

While Barcelona's improved attack has taken the headlines, it's the improvement defensively that will shine against a Bayern side that has struggled to score recently. -- Chuck Booth

 
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Man of the Match pick: Robert Lewandowski

Knowing a thing or two about performing at the Allianz Arena, Lewandowski will return to Germany in style. With the entire Barcelona attack looking to feed him during the match. A goal and an assist will be enough to give him Man of the Match honors. -- Chuck Booth

 
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Munich manager hopes Lewandowski gets cheered

"If I see him [Tuesday], I will shake his hand. I'd be happy if our fans welcomed him well," Julian Nagelsmann said ahead of the match. "That's normal when someone has given so much for the club. That's how things should be. I don't know if Lewy is their most dangerous player, but I'm sure he's their biggest goal threat. But if he doesn't get the ball, it will be difficult for him to score."

 
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Most likely to score a goal: Ousmane Dembele.

 Lewandowski's presence at Barcelona is helping push the team back to their former glory, but it's a player who was on his way out in Dembele that is my pick for most likely to score. Involved in four La Liga goals, he has picked up where he left off last season when he dished out 13 assists. As Lewandowski isn't selfish with the ball at his feet, extra focus on him during the match will allow Dembele to slip by for a goal.  -- Chuck Booth

 
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Barca manager Xavi on Lewandowski

"Robert is great. He's calm, relaxed, he's confident. He's a natural leader for us," Xavi said in his prematch press conference. "It'll be a special game for him, and he'll be motivated. I rested him the other day so he's fresh. We're in a good moment but often that doesn't mean anything. [Tuesday] we will try to show our personality and compete against one of the best teams in the world."

 
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Matchup to watch: Lewandowski vs. Bayern D  

With nine goals and two assists for Barcelona in all competitions, all eyes are on Lewandowski. There will be extra fire on both sides as Bayern didn't want Lewandowski to depart for new challenges. Little did he know his road to a Champions League title may go through his former team. -- Chuck Booth

 
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Head-to-head records

These two teams have met 11 times, and Bayern have won eight of them. In those games, they scored 28 goals and conceded just 13.

 
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Lewandowski made history last week

In scoring a hat trick against Viktoria Plzen last Wednesday, Lewandowski became the first place to score a UCL hat trick with three different clubs. He did it with Dortmund once, Bayern four times and Barca once. I found that stat a bit surprising though, thinking maybe Cristiano Ronaldo had done it with Man United, Real Madrid and Juventus, but he didn't do it with the latter.

 
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No shockers

No real surprises in that starting XI for either team, really. Jules Kounde gets the start at right back, and you just know he has to play considering his fine form. Both teams have plenty of game-changers off the bench while Xavi puts his trust in Pedri and Gavi to be the creative engines.

 
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Team news

Barca: Ter Stegen; Alonso, Christensen, Araujo, Kounde; Pedri, Busquets, Gavi; Dembele, Lewandowski, Raphinha.

Bayern: Neuer; Pavard, Upamecano, Hernandez, Davies; Kimmich, Sabitzer, Muller, Sane, Musiala, Mane.

 
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How to watch and odds

  • Date: Tuesday, Sept. 13 | Time: 3 p.m. ET
  • Location: Allianz Arena -- Munich, Germany
  • Live stream: Paramount+
  • Odds: Bayern Munich -115; Draw +325; Barcelona +255 (via Caesars Sportsbook) 
 
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Tuesday's broadcast schedule

(All times U.S./Eastern)

 
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Welcome in!

Welcome to the CBS Sports live blog of the UEFA Champions League! I'm Roger Gonzalez, and I'll be providing updates from today's massive Matchday 2 clash between FC Barcelona and Bayern Munich!