Five encouraging facts from Bayern v FC Barcelona

Once the game was over in Munich, despite the 2-0 defeat against Bayern in Group C of the Champions League, coach Xavi Hernández felt his side had done enough to deserve a lot more. A lack of composure in front of goal meant Barça were unable to take at least a point and the statistics from the game show that all three were up for grabs. 

First half dominance

Barça had 10 shots in the opening 45 minutes in Munich. Since 2003 Bayern had conceded that figure just once at home in the Champions League in a game against Fiorentina in 2008. It was the first time that Barça had had so many shots against Bayern without scoring. 

The ball is blaugrana 

Before the game all the talk was about domination possession. Barça won that battle with 53.5% in the game, outpassing Bayern 538 to 475.

Most shots overall...

Sometimes it is said that possession does not equal chances. In Munich, that was not the case with Barça having 18 shots during the game to Bayern's 13. Some 11 of those came inside the Bayern area; shots on goal saw both side hit the target on four occasions. 

... most crosses into the box

Similarly, FC Barcelona played 11 crosses into the box compared to Bayern's four. This stat does not include corners which ended with both side on four. 

Lewandowski, always dangerous

The Polish striker, returning to face the club where spent eight season, had 7 shots, his best effort in a game in which he did not score since 2017. Next time, Robert.