Julian Nagelsmann’s Bundesliga champions tried their luck at the Allianz Arena in the first half, but after the break a spirited, but ultimately disappointed, lead took Barcelona 2–0 with goals from Lucas Hernández and Leroy Sane.
The Catalans last won the Champions League in 2015, defeating Bayern in the semi-finals on their way to victory in Berlin, but have now suffered five consecutive defeats against the Bavarians.
Last season, Barca, upset by the departure of Lionel Messi, were twice widely beaten by Bayern, which contributed to a humiliating group stage exit.
Last season they suffered a brutal 8-2 amputation at the hands of the Bavarians, which showed how far they had fallen from the pinnacle of the game.
Barcelona did better in the first half on Tuesday in Munich, with former Bayern striker Robert Lewandowski turning down a handful of opportunities on his return to Germany, but two goals in the five-minute second half took the game away from them.
“We will take a positive result and even if it was a negative result, we can learn from the errors,” said Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez.
“It’s a step back. We did enough to draw, if not to win. Not worth losing, but we made mistakes in two boxes.”
Lewandowski blew away and shooed away a close-range header by Manuel Neuer in the first half, before drooling over the ball in the box when he could squeeze a shot for the first time.
La Liga’s top scorer looked unusually precarious in front of goal upon his return to the Allianz Arena, the scene of many of his successes over the past eight seasons before the summer switch to Camp Nou.
“When we talk about competing, we’re talking about doing it in a corner, or in a transition,” Xavi said, referring to Bayern’s two goalscoring defensive errors.
“It’s also about efficiency. You come in front of the goalkeeper and you must score.
“Despite having seven clear chances we didn’t score, we have to clear them. I’m angry but proud.”
Barcelona midfielder Pedri was also denied by the impeccable Neuer when placed well and hit the post with another good opportunity.
“We had a lot of chances in the first half but if you don’t take them against teams like this, you have to pay,” he said.
At the other end, Marcos Alonso failed to track Hernandez on a corner for the opening goal, while Sane got away from him and the rest of Barcelona’s defense for the second goal without facing a strong challenge at any point.
“We could say we were better, but it’s about winning,” Xavi. “The first one came from a corner and the second one did not stop the counter-attack, we have to do that.
“They are a fully developed team while we are in the beginning. We have to improve on both the boxes.”
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