Bayern beating shows Barcelona without Lionel Messi could be hard to stomach

It’s not often you describe Barca as average, but they were underwhelming and flat in a match in which they didn’t appear to believe that victory was possible

Bayern Munich's Thomas Muller celebrates his goal during the Champions League first round group E match against Barcelona at the Camp Nou. Picture: Lluis Gene/AFP via Getty Images

Barcelona 0 Bayern Munich 3

It's early days but Barcelona without Messi feels like pa amb tomàquet without the tomatoes; the basic ingredient has gone and it’s going to take a very special recipe to convince us it will ever be the same again.