Barça are ready for this clash. They started their week of truth with a win against Bayern, who have been challenging them recently.

This thrashing has a name: Raphinha. The Brazilian, who was mocked for wearing Nico's number 11 jersey, scored three goals against Bayern. He showed that he is not to be disrespected with a sensational start to the season. The whole Barça team has been playing well and will go into Saturday's game in good spirits.

Barça played a similar team to the one that beat Sevilla, with Pedri in midfield and Fermín behind Lewandowski. There are no new players in defence or attack. Raphinha, Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal are a strong attacking trio, while Cubarsí and Iñigo Martínez are solid in defence with Koundé and Balde on the wings. Casadó and Pedri will keep the team under control.

Kompany, the Bayern coach, made a psychological move by starting Muller, a nightmare for Barça, instead of Musiala. Raphinha made it 1-0 58 seconds in. Fermin's pass was miscued by Min-Jae, leaving the Barça number 11 alone with Neuer, who he dribbled past and slotted home. Barça hadn't scored against Bayern in their previous four games, but this time they didn't even need a minute. This is a different Barca, who have regained their confidence with Flick at the helm.

Going 1-0 up early helps, of course, but when you're up against a team like Bayern, you can't have any confidence, and the proof of the pudding was Harry Kane's 10th-minute goal, which was disallowed by the VAR for a very close offside. It wasn't a goal that went on the scoreboard, but it struck fear into the hearts of the Barça fans. And that fear spread to the team that was losing possession to a Bayern side that was easily reaching Iñaki Peña's area. And it was in the 18th minute that the equaliser came, Kane latching on to Gnabry's measured cross. Playing with such a high defence, as both teams did, is very risky if you don't put pressure on the opponent's ball, and in this respect Bayern did well, but Barça did not.

If Bayern started to dominate after going 1-0 up, Barça regained possession after the 1-1 draw and began to press better. However, it was the Blaugrana who regained the lead thanks to Fermín's trickery - and a possible foul on Min-Jae - which led to Lewandowski's first goal against his former team. Despite the protests of the Munich players, the referee awarded the goal. The Pole remains in fine form and has scored 15 goals this season, including three in the Champions League. The momentum of 2-1 gave Barça wings and Raphinha was in fine form as he made it 3-1 just before the break. The Brazilian fired in off the post after a great assist from Casadó.

The second half was just as exciting as the first, with chances at both ends. A goal from Barça would have been the icing on the cake, and one from Bayern would have added even more excitement to the great game that both teams were having. And it was the first team who got there first, and it was Raphinha who did it... who else could it have been? The Brazilian was on fire out there. Everything he touched ended up in the back of the net, much to Neuer's frustration.

Kompany made four changes at once, looking for an impossible goal and brought on Musiala, Coman, Sané and Goretzka. But the game was already over, and Barça could have made more of an impact if they hadn't played against Real Madrid on Saturday.

With a quarter of an hour to go, Flick replaced Raphinha, the hero of the night, who was applauded by a devoted Montjuïc. Dani Olmo came on for him, making his comeback. All good news for Barça. What a great game we can look forward to on Saturday.