Lisbon, Oct 23 (V7N) — On August 14, 2020, football fans witnessed a match that would forever haunt FC Barcelona. The Spanish giants faced Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League in Lisbon, expecting a tough fight but with the hope that Lionel Messi’s brilliance would carry them through. However, what unfolded shocked the football world as Bayern Munich humiliated Barcelona with an 8-2 thrashing, sending Barca fans into disbelief and leaving a scar in the club’s proud history.

It was one of Barcelona’s most crushing defeats in European competition. Since that night, many things have changed at the club: managers have come and gone, and Messi, the club’s talisman, has moved on. Now, after almost four years, Barcelona is once again preparing to face Bayern Munich in the Champions League—a fixture that is now etched in football history.

Historically, Barcelona has struggled against the German powerhouse. Out of their 13 Champions League encounters with Bayern, Barca has managed only two victories, drawing once and losing a staggering 10 times to the Bavarians. This record adds even more weight to the upcoming encounter, as Barca looks to overcome its past and build a new future.

Interestingly, Hansi Flick, who was Bayern’s coach during the infamous 8-2 victory, is now in the Barcelona dugout. After leading Bayern to glory between 2019 and 2021, Flick has taken over as Barca’s manager this season, marking a new chapter in his managerial career. While he was responsible for orchestrating one of Barcelona's most painful nights, he now seeks redemption with the Catalan side as they face his former team.

Since that 2020 defeat, Bayern Munich has continued to dominate Barcelona. They have won four consecutive matches against Barca, with the most recent victory being a 3-0 triumph at Camp Nou in October 2022. However, this time around, the clash is a single-leg affair due to the competition’s new format.

Both Barcelona and Bayern have had mixed fortunes in this season's Champions League, each recording one win and one loss so far. However, Barcelona fans are hoping for a turnaround as their star midfielder Xavi is set to return to action after almost a year on the sidelines. His presence will undoubtedly boost Barca's chances as they aim to put the ghosts of 2020 behind them.

As the two European giants prepare to clash once more, the memory of that fateful 8-2 defeat looms large. Will Barcelona finally find redemption, or will Bayern Munich continue their dominance over the Catalan side in Europe’s most prestigious club competition?

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