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Pep threw down the gauntlet this week, playfully suggesting that his 2009 Barcelona group, who received six trophies, ought to tackle this yr’s Bayern
Bayern Munich beat Tigres on Thursday to win the Club World Cup and complete the sextuple, changing into the second facet ever to take action, after Pep Guardiola’s legendary Barcelona group of 2009.
The Catalan was fast to congratulate the Bavarians, whom he additionally coached himself between 2013 and 2016.
Nevertheless, Guardiola then cheekily issued a problem to Bayern boss Hans-Dieter Flick, suggesting that they get their two sides collectively for a recreation to resolve as soon as and for all who’s the most effective.
“I want to say to Hansi that you’re the second group to win the six titles in a row!” Guardiola enthused in a video message on Twitter.
“Earlier than you, there was one other group, Barcelona… So, possibly I can name (Lionel) Messi & Co. and we are able to play for the seventh title?
“Inform me when and the place and we might be there!”
Sadly, such a traditional contest is inconceivable, given many members of Guardiola’s era-changing Barca group have since retired.
Nevertheless, Objective has determined to run the rule over each groups to find out which squad was stronger man-for-man…
Beginning XI
Goalkeeper: Victor Valdes vs Manuel Neuer
Two sweeper-keepers and though Valdes was a effective match for Barcelona’s fashion, this is among the clearer-cut choices.
Manuel Neuer has taken what Valdes did and each expanded the position and near-enough perfected it. The German is among the few goalkeepers who’s completely compelling to look at.
Verdict: Neuer (1-0 Bayern)
Defence: Dani Alves vs Benjamin Pavard
It was Bayern right-back Benjamin Pavard who scored the purpose which accomplished Bayern’s sextuple, however the French defender, benched for the Champions League last as Joshua Kimmich took over, isn’t any match for Brazilian dynamo Dani Alves.
The previous Barcelona defender was an help machine for the Catalans they usually haven’t but been capable of substitute him. He cast a particular reference to Lionel Messi.
Verdict: Alves (1-1)
Defence: Carles Puyol vs Jerome Boateng
Puyol was the chief and the lynchpin of Barcelona’s defence, the lion coronary heart of Guardiola’s facet.
Boateng has finished remarkably nicely to revive his profession, not solely after Messi left him for lifeless in 2015, however after Niko Kovac dropped him in 2019. Nevertheless Barcelona’s ‘everlasting captain’ wins this battle of the World Cup winners for a spot in soccer historical past.
Verdict: Puyol (2-1 Barca)
Defence: Gerard Pique vs David Alaba
Pique, in his early 20s, loved a outstanding return from Manchester United to fit straight into the facet and carry out admirably nicely.
Nevertheless, Alaba is a participant at his peak and has been very important for Bayern Munich, enjoying as a transformed centre again and maintaining Neymar and Kylian Mbappe quiet within the Champions League last. Alaba additionally scored the opening purpose within the DFB Pokal win over Bayer Leverkusen final July.
Verdict: Alaba (2-2)
Defence: Eric Abidal vs Alphonso Davies
Abidal is a Barcelona legend and was one of many essential beneficiaries of Guardiola’s administration, enhancing quickly. Nevertheless he missed the Copa del Rey and Champions League finals by way of suspension.
Bayern’s Davies was a nightmare for defenders to face by way of the 2019-20 marketing campaign, regardless that his type has slipped this yr. When he’s at his dynamic greatest although, like within the 8-2 Champions League quarter-final win over Barcelona, he’s unstoppable.
Verdict: Davies (3-2 Bayern)
Mdfield: Sergio Busquets vs Joshua Kimmich
The truth that Busquets ousted Yaya Toure from his defensive midfield place at Barcelona speaks for itself. The Ivorian was nonetheless vital for the Catalans in different positions, together with central defence, however the taki-taka Guardiola created was depending on Busquets’s ball circulation abilities. He simply beats out Toure for a spot right here too.
Bayern’s Kimmich, in the meantime, is among the most underrated gamers within the trendy recreation. Not solely does he work extraordinarily arduous however he has nice tactical intelligence and flexibility, changing into one of many world’s greatest midfielders from a full-back. Busquets takes it, however simply by a whisker.
Verdict: Busquets (3-3)
Midfield: Xavi vs Leon Goretzka / Thiago
Two fairly completely different midfielders however each important for his or her groups. Leon Goretzka, a box-to-box powerhouse, netted within the UEFA Tremendous Cup win over Sevilla and helps Bayern win the ball again from opponents. On this line-up he edges out Thiago, who was integral for Bayern by way of his time in Bavaria however has since moved on to Liverpool and Bayern have accomplished the sextuple with out him.
Thiago left Barcelona as a result of it appeared there was no well beyond the legendary Xavi, who racked up 25 assists within the 2008-09 season. Though Messi is the star and figurehead of the group, with out the soccer mind of Xavi, none of this may have labored. He set the tempo of Barcelona’s recreation and enabled them to dominate video games from begin to end.
Though Goretzka is chosen forward of Thiago right here, Xavi would beat both of them head-to-head.
Verdict: Xavi (4-3 Barca)
Midfield: Andres Iniesta vs Thomas Muller
After a worrying dip in type following the 2018 World Cup, Muller obtained again to his greatest in 2019-20 to assist Bayern make historical past. Rejuvenated beneath Flick, the raumdeuter (area investigator) most likely would have earned inclusion had he gone up in opposition to any attacking midfielder apart from Iniesta.
The Spaniard’s contribution usually doesn’t replicate itself in purpose and help numbers, though he did rating the essential, 93rd-minute strike from the sting of the field in opposition to Chelsea which despatched Barcelona by way of to the 2009 Champions League last.
As an alternative, Iniesta was Barcelona’s options man, all the time able to holding and carrying the ball in tight spots, unlocking Messi, Samuel Eto’o and Thierry Henry for mischief-making.
Verdict: Iniesta (5-3 Barca)
Ahead: Lionel Messi vs Serge Gnabry
Gnabry is enhancing at a speedy fee and performed a pivotal position in Bayern’s Champions League triumph with 23 targets in all competitions, two of which got here within the semi-final win over Lyon. Nevertheless, no one compares to the best of all time enjoying on the peak of his powers.
Messi netted within the Champions League last, in opposition to Manchester United as Barcelona received 2-0 in Rome, in addition to the 4-1 Copa del Rey last win over Athletic Bilbao. Maybe his biggest recreation on this interval, although, was the 6-2 win over Actual Madrid on the Santiago Bernabeu, the place Messi was deployed as a false 9 for the primary time.
Verdict: Messi (6-3 Barca)
Ahead: Samuel Eto’o vs Robert Lewandowski
Eto’o scored within the 2009 Champions League last and was a key determine within the Catalans’ title win with 30 targets, however was deemed expendable by Guardiola and bought in the summertime, so didn’t contribute to the completion of the sextuple.
Robert Lewandowski is Bayern’s true star title and important. He scored 34 instances of their Bundesliga triumph and added 15 extra within the Champions League in simply 10 appearances. Cruelly denied the Ballon d’Or as a result of the award was cancelled as a result of pandemic.
Verdict: Lewandowski (6-4 Barca)
Ahead: Thierry Henry vs Kingsley Coman
Thierry Henry’s greatest days undoubtedly got here at Arsenal however the Frenchman was a key participant in Barca’s treble-winning marketing campaign, netting 26 instances in all competitions. Coman was clearly Bayern’s match-winner within the Champions League last however he did not produce with the identical stage of consistency as his compatriot.
Verdict: Henry (7-4 Barca)
Benches
Barcelona 2008-09: Yaya Toure, Bojan, Rafa Marquez, Seydou Keita, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Pedro, Jose Pinto.
Bayern 2019-20: Thiago Alcantara, Ivan Perisic, Corentin Tolisso, Lucas Hernandez, Javi Martinez, Philippe Coutinho, Sven Ulreich
Barcelona relied extra on their squad than Bayern Munich have, with Yaya Toure, Seydou Keita and Pedro key elements of the sextuple conquest. Bayern’s first-choice facet has been extra clear lower, with solely Thiago Alcantara on this specific bench enjoying a very constant position final season.
Verdict: Barca (8-4)
Coach
Pep Guardiola vs Hansi Flick
Bayern coach Flick was anticipated merely to regular the ship after Niko Kovac’s departure, with the Bavarians in disaster mode, however he has finished far, much more. The interim coach turned a hero, enjoying sensible, intense, urgent soccer with speedy transitions which helped Bayern shred opponents. Flick additionally helped stars like Neuer and Muller again to their greatest, no imply feat for a coach in his first season in command of a Bundesliga facet.
Within the different nook, Guardiola modified soccer perpetually. Tiki-taka might be perpetually related to the Catalan coach. Guardiola’s improvements are scattered throughout the fashionable recreation and helped Spain elevate the 2010 World Cup. Though soccer has progressed, combining possession with extra depth and directness, it wouldn’t have been doable with out Guardiola. He additionally took daring choices, together with eradicating legends Ronaldinho and Deco.
And, not that it’s related right here, however gamers like Kimmich are nearly as good as they’re due to Guardiola’s tutelage whereas in command of Bayern Munich.
Verdict: Guardiola
Ultimate rating: Barcelona 9-4 Bayern Munich
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