For Bayern coach Julian Nagelsmann, FC Barcelona still has a great "radiance" even without world football star Lionel Messi. For the Champions League opener on Tuesday (9 p.m. in the FAZ live ticker for the Champions League as well as on Amazon Prime Video) with the Catalans, he expects an opponent who will appear “differently” without Messi, who has switched to Paris Saint-Germain, but not necessarily weaker. “It's not tangible. A radiant figure is away from the club. Messi was a player who attracted a lot of balls, ”said Nagelsmann on Monday in Munich before the trip to Spain. He expects other players to take on more responsibility at Barcelona.

"FC Barcelona will never be weak," said Bayern captain Manuel Neuer: "It's a blast to start with." Of course, Bayern's 8-2 win at the 2020 final in Lisbon will still play a role.

“You never forget a game like that.” The gossip “hurt” Barcelona.

National player Serge Gnabry will travel to Barcelona for the final training session despite back problems and only one running session, said Nagelsmann.

An endurance test on matchday should decide whether he could be part of the squad.

Striker Robert Lewandowski can definitely play after his adductor problems at Camp Nou.

Winger Kingsley Coman is not yet an option for the starting XI after calf problems.

Youngster Jamal Musiala should be used in that.

Differences with the President

In Barcelona, ​​meanwhile, you return to your own front door. FC Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman admitted differences with Barca President Joan Laporta for the first time on Monday. "Yes, there were a few small things, but we talked and came to an agreement," said the football coach in front of journalists in Barcelona. Spanish media had previously reported "intense friction" between the two men. Laporta has only been in office since March, Koeman was signed a year ago by his predecessor Josep Bartomeu.

A few days before the Dutchman was signed, the Catalans lost 8-2 in the Champions League round of 16 in Lisbon against Bayern. The bankruptcy cost coach Quique Setién the job. Even without Messi, Koeman now wants to “get a good result” against the “fearful opponent” from Munich. "We all know that (Munich) is a great team with very good and experienced players," emphasized the 58-year-old former national player. A very strong opponent is good "to know where we stand".

Even without Messi, last year's third in the Primera División started the new season well with two wins and one draw. In a 2-1 win over Getafe FC at the end of August, national goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen made his comeback a good three months after a knee operation. That was the last Barça appearance so far. The game at Sevilla FC, originally scheduled for last weekend, has been postponed as a result of the dispute over South American internationals.