On Wednesday, 23 October, Barcelona will take on Bayern Munich at home in the third round of the Champions League general stage. The Catalans have shown outstanding play in recent matches, but have already faltered in the European Cup. Bayern have also taken just three points. The game is important in terms of getting into the top eight.

Barcelona have won their last three matches 13-1. Hans-Dieter Flick is squeezing the most out of a very problematic squad. The coach has definitely managed to create the right atmosphere. Even the veterans have made serious progress compared to last season. The best example is Robert Lewandowski. The Pole was heavily criticised for the 23/24 championship, and now he is much more effective than Kylian Mbappe. Lewandowski has scored 12 goals in La Liga alone.

Another young talent shone in the match against Sevilla - Pablo Torre scored a double. Hans-Dieter Flick is bravely involving youngsters in big games. Adds positivity and the return of Gavi. Once a player of the Spanish national team missed almost a year. Frenkie de Jong has also recovered from injury. Flick has a lot more options in the rotation. So far, the coach has not involved Wojciech Szczęsny - it is doubtful that the Pole will be immediately thrown into the fray at Bayern.

Munich are not having an ideal season, but Vincent Kompany is doing well in his role so far. The coach is not preventing the players from developing. The 4-2-3-1 scheme is working steadily. Kompany has managed to introduce several young players into the main squad. In addition to Kane, Michael Oliseh is very stable. The young Frenchman has scored eight times in nine games.

In the last match, Bayern literally demolished Stuttgart 4-0. Harry Kane made another hat-trick in the Bundesliga. They are doing well without Jamal Musiala. Unfortunately, one of the main talents of European football is out for a short period of time. Against Barcelona, the midfielder will not be available. Veteran Thomas Muller has returned to the role of the main playmaker in the midfield.

Bookmakers favor Barcelona, although the squad is deeper with the Germans. Bayern have lost one game this season - to Aston Villa, and that was by accident. In that meeting, Munich created more chances and conceded a largely ridiculous goal.

Barcelona is somewhat overrated in the lineup: the team has defeated three opponents in a row, but they were Young Boys, Alaves and a sick Sevilla. Bayern are a different level of opponent. And we have already seen a different Barcelona this season in the Champions League, when they lost to Monaco. This is an even encounter, in which the hosts will not be big favourites. Bayern can add more in the second half and take at least a draw.