Hansi Flick’s Bayern era was during (2019-2021) and was undoubtedly the most dominant in recent years, comparing it to Barcelona’s golden era (2008–2012) under Pep Guardiola is a shame and shouldn’t be compared. Here is why.
Dominance & Achievements
Let’s have a look at the comparison of both team’s dominance and achievements in their prime era:
Flick’s Bayern Munich (2019-2021)
📌Treble (2019-2020): DFB-Pokal, UEFA Champions League, and Bundesliga.
📌Sex-tuple (2020): They added the UEFA Super Cup, Fifa Club World Cup, and the German Super Cup.
📌Unbeaten UEFA Champions League Run: Bayern were invincible in their 2019-20 Champions League run, a sign of dominance against European teams.
📌League Consistency: Bayern won 2 Bundesliga titles, but failed to sustain long-term dominance.
Pep Guardiola’s FC Barcelona (2008–2012)
📌Treble (2008-2009): Copa Del Rey, UEFA Champions League, and La Liga.
📌Sex-tuple (2009): They added the UEFA Super Cup, Fifa Club World Cup, and the Super Copa De Espana.
📌Multiple UCL Titles: Barcelona won two Champions League trophies in three years in 2009 and 2011.
📌League Domination: Barcelona won the La Liga title three times in four seasons.
Conclusion
🏆While both teams won sextuple, Barcelona had a longer period of constant dominance. Their UEFA Champions League triumphs came against elite clubs, while Bayern won the UEFA Champions League in an altered format due to the pandemic, which made competition a bit easier.
Playing Style & Tactical Brilliance
Let’s have a look at the comparison of playing style and tactics between both teams:
Bayern under Flick
📌Flick opted for aggressive high-pressing, explosive transitions, and counter-attack play vertically.
📌Flick’s approach in attack was ruthless efficiency in front of the goal, this was seen in the 8-2 domination against Barcelona.
📌Flick football was more based on intensity, with direct attacking play majority from the wide areas using the wingers.
Barcelona under Pep Guardiola
📌Pep opted for the Tiki Taka tactic introduced by Johan Cruyff. Pep mastered this technique which is based on short passing with positional play controlling the possession.
📌Pep’s Barcelona didn’t play quick football, they waited patiently for a chance. They used to build up patiently from the midfield with a fluid connection between midfield and attack.
📌Pep’s Barcelona were rock-solid defensively, they relied less on pressing but more on possession and controlling the game.
Conclusion
⚡Bayern’s style was lethal, quick, and full of intensity, whereas Barcelona chose to dominate with possession. The opponents never got near to the ball with Barcelona, so Pep’s side was more dominant over the opponents.
Key Players & Influence
Let’s compare the key players on both sides and their influence on world football:
Bayern Munich
📌Manuel Neuer: Bayern’s legendary sweeper-keeper who brought a difference to his side.
📌Robert Lewandowski: He was a goal-scoring machine under Flick and broke many records during Flick’s era.
📌Thomas Müller: Before Flick arrived he was on the verge of leaving, Flick brought the best out of him making him the link between midfield and attack.
📌Joshua Kimmich: He was the tactical brain and defensive leader, every team needs a player like Kimmich.
Barcelona
📌Gerard Piqué: The best Spanish defender at that period, he was a proper leader at that age.
📌Dani Alves: The Brazilian was vital in both defence and attack, there is no right-back ever produced in world football like Alves.
📌Lionel Messi: No introduction about the GOAT, himself.
📌Xavi & Iniesta: This duo dictated games with infinite passing and control, making the opponents shiver.
📌Sergio Busquets: This line by del Bosque (Retired Spanish manager) says all: “If you watch the game, you don’t see Busquets. But if you watch Busquets, you see the whole game.”
Conclusion
👑In my opinion, there is no comparison between the names above, Barcelona were far the better team on paper. The 2010 Balon d’Or ranking tells all about the Barcelona squad, when Messi (1st), Iniesta (2nd), and Xavi (3rd) were on the same top 3 panel.
Legacy & Impact
Now let’s have a look into the legacy and the club’s impact on football:
Bayern
Flick’s Bayern were the best team in the world for a very short period, but couldn’t maintain that status beyond 2 seasons.
Barcelona
Pep’s team not only dominated world football, but also influenced global football. The tiki-taka philosophy shaped Barcelona’s next generation and became the club’s identity. Is gave respect to Johan Cruyff’s playing style with the 4-3-3 formation.
🔥 Final Verdict:
Barcelona’s golden era is the best team in the history of football, whereas Flick’s Bayern were a short-term best team. If you speak about football, the first thing that comes to mind is Pep’s Barcelona. So the comparison is a bit off between both sides.