Robert Lewandowski and Julian Nagelsmann joked and laughed together.

After the celebrated 3: 2 in the league summit at Borussia Dortmund, world footballers and coaches exuded great anticipation for the end of the year in the Champions League despite their reduced importance in terms of sport at the final training of FC Bayern.

"It is a very worthwhile goal to play the perfect group stage in terms of points and we also have a chance of scoring a goal," said Nagelsmann, who will probably have to do without Joshua Kimmich for the last time.

In addition to top marks, the Munich team, who are already group winners and round of 16, in their first ghost game in a long time, will receive a generous Christmas bonus of 2.8 million euros for another victory; Bayern have already booked more than 70 million euros in this premier league season. On the other hand, the glorious FC Barcelona is threatened with knockout in the group phase for the first time in over two decades on Wednesday (9 p.m. in the FAZ live ticker for the Champions League and at DAZN) - which the ensemble of coach and club idol Xavi is financially especially financially tight would hit hard.

In the last session before the classic against Barça, who was humiliated 8-2 on the way to triumph 18 months ago, Dortmund double goalscorer Lewandowski immediately took the lead in the running group.

The striker, mocked with Messi shouts in the big win against BVB, is burning for more top scores against the long-standing club of the Argentine star after nine premier league goals so far.

After finishing second at the Ballon d'Or behind Messi, Lewandowski in Poland expressed his dissatisfaction with the election.

His "sadness" will not only last a day or two, but rather longer, he said on "Kanal Sportowy".

Gnabry and Goretzka are out

This makes goal brands like those of Messi and Ronaldo all the more important to him.

Lewandowski, two-time goalscorer in the 3-0 first leg, could be the only player to score double-digit in two group phases.

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo only succeeded once.

"I would be happy if the best striker in the world can confirm to himself again and again how good he is," said Nagelsmann.

“Especially after the Ballon d'Or we didn't win.” Like Ronaldo so far, the Pole could score in six group games.

Serge Gnabry and Leon Goretzka fail as assistants.

"We have to compensate for failures and will bring in new players who can prove themselves," said Nagelsmann.

"We have to keep a certain level of rhythm for the Bundesliga."

The noisy coach tunes himself in specifically to the game in front of empty ranks.

From a technical point of view, it is certainly not bad when the players hear you, said Nagelsmann, but he has to “curb himself a bit” with comments.

"I'm already preparing a little so that no emotional faux pas happens to me."

When Kimmich will return at the end of the year, Nagelsmann left a video press conference on Tuesday.

"We just have to be careful, even think carefully about Saturday," said the 34-year-old a few days before the Mainz game.

The coach pointed to a four-week break from Kimmich as a contact person and infected person.

"Of course he scratches his hooves," reported Nagelsmann.

Kimmich could return to the team on Thursday - if he tests negative for the corona virus.

The players hope that the leader will return soon, who had sparked a public debate with his statements about the vaccination hesitation.

"It would be a huge plus if he were back," said winger Kingsley Coman, the most recent goalscorer against Dortmund.

After five wins in five games and 19-3 goals, the group record for the 2019/20 season is possible for FC Bayern.

Back then, on the way to winning the title, Munich won all six preliminary round games with 24: 5 goals.

The German national goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen in the Barça goal will try, however, above all to prevent the goal record.

“Barcelona still have world class players in their ranks.

You are tabulated and under pressure and will give everything, ”said Nagelsmann.

Barcelona need a victory of their own to advance to the round of 16 without outside help.