Holger Badstuber, longtime FC Bayern defender, saw signs of nervousness in ex-Munich Robert Lewandowski when the German record champions won 2-0 at home over FC Barcelona on Tuesday evening.
“Probably his head and emotions played a bigger role when he came back – he usually does these things,” wrote Badstuber in a post on his own website about the striker, who switched from Bayern Munich to Barcelona in the summer.
On the occasion of the Champions League group game between the German industry leader and the Catalans, Lewandowski returned to the Allianz Arena as an opponent for the first time on Tuesday.
Badstuber underlined his statements about Lewandowski based on various statistics.
“Bayern had, among other things, fewer shots on goal (13:18), less possession of the ball (47:53 percent) and a worse rate of tackles (46:54 percent). In addition, Barcelona was the team with the much better chances in the first half,” analyzed the former DFB international.
“Above all” Lewandowski would have had these chances, Badstuber continued: “In the end it wasn’t supposed to be for him, that will annoy him, but it was good for Bayern.”
Badstuber on FC Bayern vs. FC Barcelona: “Pace and fire in it”
The victorious Munich team “couldn’t have complained about being behind,” Badstuber added: “Because Alphonso Davies’ duel with Ousmane Dembélé just before the break was a clear penalty for me.”
FC Bayern’s 2-0 lead “looks clearer than it actually was,” explained Badstuber, who was generally “not disappointed” with the game: “There was speed, there was fire, the spark is from the fans That’s how I like it. The result is very good and getting these wins is hugely important for Bayern.”
Badstuber tied FC Bayern’s victory to the “famous little things” “that really matter in such top games”. Barca was “too negligent in crucial situations”, which “made the subtle difference that evening,” explained the ex-professional: “Leroy Sané then added one more – Barcelona never recovered from the double blow.”
But it is now also important for Bayern to work on small things. “Sadio Mané wasn’t in the game at all, that can happen, he’s still an important player, but he needs to be involved better,” emphasized Badstuber.
The 33-year-old was also dissatisfied with the way the record champions converted their chances: “In general, FCB gave me too many chances. Even if things don’t go well at times, the opponent shouldn’t be allowed to have such clear chances!”