Five key stats: Barça v Bayern

The 2021/22 Champions League kicks off for FC Barcelona this coming Tuesday with a home fixture against Bayern Munich. Here are five key stats that every good fan will need in their head in time for the 9.00pm CEST kick-off.

Off to a good start

Barça have not lost their opening Champions League game since they were beaten by Newcastle United in 1997. The 22 first-day fixtures since then have ended in 17 wins and five draws. 

Welcome back 

This will be the first European game at the Camp Nou to have fans in the stadium since 27 November 2019, a 3-1 victory against Borussia Dortmund. On Tuesday, regulations still prevent the stadium from being full, but there will be 31,213 supporters in the ground.

Euro-Memphis

Memphis has scored eight Champions League goals (one for Man United and seven for Lyon), and has also given three assists in the 14 games he has started in the competition. His 2019/20 campaign was especially impressive – scoring in five of Lyon’s group stage games and once against Juventus in the last 16. 

Debut day

Not only could Tuesday bring Luuk de Jong’s debut for FC Barcelona, but there are a number of players who could be appearing in the Champions League for the first time at Barça, and in several cases for any team. 

Negative record

Barça don’t have the best of histories against Bayern, having only won two of eleven previous competitive encounters. There have also been draws, while the Bavarians have been victorious in no fewer than seven meetings. Time to start setting the record straight!