Three key battles to watch out for in Barcelona vs Bayern Munich

Barcelona face FC Bayern Munich on Wednesday, with all eyes on Hansi Flick as he takes on his former employer.

Flick “inflicted” unrelenting pain on Barcelona when he led Bayern to a famous 8-2 victory over Barça no more than four years ago.

The same Flick has now made it his mission to usher in a new era at Barcelona after being appointed head coach this summer.

The German didn't disappoint either, leading Barcelona to their best start in a long time while building a solid core that looks more than ready to exact revenge on Bayern this midweek.

As we prepare for this exciting encounter, let's take a look at three key 1v1 battles that could decide the outcome of this game.

Inigo Martinez vs Harry Kane

Although Barcelona have conceded a fair amount of goals this season, their solid defense is characterized by their unique ability to trap opposing attackers behind the line.

Thanks to the leadership of Inigo Martinez, Barcelona were also very effective at breaking up attacking moments by intercepting striker balls.

This ability from Martinez, coupled with his physical prowess, could prove crucial as Barcelona look to keep Harry Kane quiet.

The Englishman is arguably Bayern Munich's biggest attacking threat, having scored 13 goals in all competitions this season.

Kane's mobility and deadly finishing are two of his greatest assets. And the responsibility falls on Inigo Martinez to undo those traits on Wednesday.

Pedri against Joshua Kimmich

In the heart of the midfield, Pedri's clash with Joshua Kimmich is likely to be one of the most fascinating duels of the evening.

Both players are known for their vision, passing range and intelligence on the ball. However, it's their contrasting styles that make this combination particularly intriguing.

On the one hand, Pedri has been a creative fulcrum for Barcelona this season, notably creating a number of goal-scoring opportunities. His lightning-fast passes between the lines have made him an invaluable player under Flick.

On the other hand, Kimmich is one of the most complete midfielders in world football. The FC Bayern Munich star combines defensive resilience with playful ability and often acts as a linchpin in Bayern's midfield.

Whoever emerges victorious in this midfield battle could have a decisive influence on the fate of this encounter.

If Pedri continues to excel, Barcelona can create chances on a whim. However, if he is outclassed by Kimmich, Barça could find it difficult to dominate the game.

Lamine Yamal vs. Alphonso Davies

While all eyes will be on the in-form Robert Lewandowski to face his former club, Lamine Yamal will be Barcelona's biggest weapon going forward.

Yamal's battle against Alphonso Davies in particular will be worth keeping an eye on as both players possess incredible pace.

While Davies, who is also a target for Barcelona, ​​is considered one of the best full-backs in Europe, the Canadian has one major flaw in his game: he leaves space behind the defense.

More often than not, Davies relies on his pace to make up for lost space behind the defense. But with Yamal playing on the wing, Barcelona has a good chance of exploring Bayern's defensive line.

With his pace and dribbling skills, Yamal has proven time and again that he is capable of breaking the shackles of even the best defense.

Wednesday will be the time for the young attacker to improve his game again.