Julian Nagelsmann says Barcelona are NOT a lot worse off without Lionel Messi as Bayern Munich boss insists they have other players who can ‘make a difference’ in Champions League tie
- Julian Nagelsmann says Barcelona are not a lot worse off without Lionel Messi
- Barca lost the six-time Ballon d’Or winner to Paris Saint-Germain in the summer
- Bayern Munich boss Nagelsmann insisted they have other important players
- The Bundesliga side take on the Catalans in the Champions League tonight
Bayern Munich boss Julian Nagelsmann says he does not believe Barcelona are a lot worse off without six-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi.
The Bundesliga side go into tonight’s Champions League tie at the Nou Camp as favourites with the Catalans still coming to terms with the departure of the Argentina superstar.
But Nagelsmann believes Messi’s departure has not significantly weakened Ronald Koeman’s side and insisted they should not be underestimated.
Bayern Munich boss Julian Nagelsmann (left) does not believe Barcelona are a lot worse off without Lionel Messi (right)
‘They’ve no longer got someone as extravagant as Messi, but they have other players who can make a difference,’ Nagelsmann said ahead of tonight’s game.
‘We are prepared for everything.
‘I’m not of the opinion that they are a lot worse off now. [Whether we are] favourites or not favourites is always more of a media topic. Two world clubs are meeting.
Nagelsmann believes the Catalans have other players who can make a difference for them
‘On the one hand, the form on the day will decide, but on the other hand, [there is] motivation – and that one will be extremely high with us.’
Barca also lot Antoine Griezmann on transfer deadline day, with the striker re-joining Atletico Madrid on loan with an obligation to buy.
But new signing Memphis Depay already has two goals and an assist in three LaLiga games and will be key if the Catalans are to cause Bayern problems.
The last meeting between the two sides came in the quarter-final of the Champions League in the 2019-2020 season, with Bayern thrashing Messi’s Barca 8-2.
Bayern have made a strong start under Nagelsmann with 10 points from their first four games
The Germans went on to win the trophy that year but were beaten by Paris Saint-Germain in the quarter-final of last season’s competition.
Nagelsmann, who took over in the summer following the departure of Hansi Flick, has made a strong start to the current campaign.
Bayern have taken 10 points from their first four games and beat Borussia Dortmund 3-1 to win the German Super Cup in August.
