Bayern Munich 3-0 Barcelona: 5 talking points as listless Blaugrana hit 21-year low | UEFA Champions League 2021-22

Barcelona crashed out in the Champions League group stages following another 3-0 drubbing at the hands of Bayern Munich. Thomas Muller, Leroy Sane and Jamal Musiala scored the goals to condemn the La Liga giants to Europa League ignominy.

In what was a must-win clash for them, Xavi's troops put up another lackluster display and were no match for their mighty hosts.

With Benfica defeating Dynamo Kyiv 2-0 in the other game, Blaugrana finished third in Group E. Barcelona's defeat meant the La Liga giants failed to reach the competition's knockout stages for the first time since 2001.

Bayern, meanwhile, finished the round with a 100% win record once again, joining Real Madrid as the only sides to have achieved the feat twice.

They will learn their last-16 fate in Monday's draw. Here are the major talking points from the match:

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#5 Fans or no fans, Bayern only mean business

Even without the home fans, Bayern weren't lacking in spirit

Due to an unfortunate outbreak of COVID-19 in Bavaria, the match had to be played behind closed doors, much like last season.

But it made no difference to Bayern, who were ruthless as ever and dispatched Barcelona with relative ease.

The match had all the feelings of their 8-2 evisceration of the Catalans last year, for that one was played inside an empty stadium too.

But while there wasn't much drama here, the common denominator was Barcelona's humiliation, with the side suffering another heavy loss.

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#4 Muller loves scoring against Barcelona

Barcelona couldn't stop conceding to Muller!

There's something about Barcelona that triggers Thomas Muller, who's made the side his bunnies. Having struck in the Camp Nou reverse in September, Raumdeuter was also on target against them last night as well.

He's now scored eight goals against the Catalans in seven games, including at least one each in their last four encounters. It goes without saying that Muller is the top-scorer against them in the competition. He's Barcelona's kryptonite.

#3 Barcelona's lack of attacking intent is shocking

Barcelona scored only twice in the Champions League this season!

Coming into the match, Barcelona had scored only twice in five group matches, their lowest-ever tally at this stage of the competition. In a must-win game like this, more attacking intent was expected. But instead Xavi's troops cut another toothless display.

Ousmane Dembele had one good chance in the match but the Frenchman ended up blazing it over the bar, while Memphis Depay also struggled to make an impact.

With no Lionel Messi around to bail them out, the onus was on the rest of the bunch to step up, and they failed, miserably.

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#2 Lewandowski couldn't get his record, surprisingly

Lewandowski's scoring run ended in the most unlikely match!

Coming into the match, Robert Lewandowski had struck at least one goal in each of the previous five group matches of the Champions League season.

He needed to bag one here to become just the second player after Cristiano Ronaldo to have scored in all six games of the first round.

However, the Pole surprisingly drew a blank. He's used to devouring such limp opposition, having also struck twice in the Camp Nou reverse.

He bagged an assist for Muller by teeing him up for their opening goal with a looping cross. But Lewandowski will regret not getting his goal and the subsequent record, given the quality of the opposition on the night.

Sebastian Haller achieved it by scoring against Sporting CP in another game.

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#1 End of an era

Barcelona have completely lost their identity

This truly marks the end of an era at Barcelona. The Catalan side were a dangerous side during the Messi era. However, in their very first season without him, Barcelona have failed to clear the group stages.

But the worst part is, this had been coming for some time. Repeated European humiliations had set the alarm bells ringing; if only the club had heeded it.

Ridiculous signings, sticking with deadwoods and selling key players have all amounted to this day, and Barcelona have only themselves to blame.

The repercussions are now having to face the ignominy of playing in Europe's second-tier competition. Caught in a paradox, Barcelona are one of those sides for whom winning the Europa League title would be just as weird as it would be embarrassing if they didn't.

Either way, Barcelona have an uphill rebuilding task on their hands.