Barca face being eliminated from the competition in the
group stage in successive campaigns for only the second time heading into
Wednesday’s tie with Bayern at Camp Nou.
The Catalan giants will be unable to advance to the last 16
should they lose or if Inter beat Viktoria Plzen, while they will also be
eliminated should both games be drawn.
While Barca have struggled in Europe of late, Bayern have
reached at least the quarter-finals in all but one of the past 11 seasons,
which Goretzka says can be taken for granted.
“Lewy was very spoiled at Bayern, always being at least in
the round of 16 and progressing,” Goretzka told reporters. “But now we can no
longer take that into account.”
Bayern beat Barca 2-0 in last month’s reverse fixture, in
which Lewandowski missed two presentable opportunities, and are already assured
of a place in the knockout stages.
The German side have defeated Barcelona in nine of their 12
Champions League encounters, including the past five in a row.
Only Bayern themselves against Real Madrid (10) have lost
more games against a single side in the competition’s history, and Goretzka is
targeting another victory next week.
“If we play against Barcelona at the Camp Nou, it can be a
preparatory game or a Champions League final, it doesn’t matter,” the Germany
international added.
“It’s going to be a super cool game that we’re looking
forward to. And we will also do everything to win it.”
Lewandowski has scored five Champions League goals for
Barca, each of those coming at Camp Nou – the most ever by a Barca player after
their first two matches.
The prolific striker lifted the famous trophy with Bayern in
2020, but he will have to settle for Europa League football – at best – if
results go against his side.
“It’s their last chance,” Bayern striker Eric Maxim
Choupo-Moting said. “I’m definitely looking forward to the game and to seeing
Lewy.
“He’s a world-class player and a great guy. Playing against
Barcelona is always something special.