MUNICH: European and German champions defeated Barcelona 2-0 to win the Uli Hoeness Trophy to mark the first home match in charge of Pep Guardiola against his former club.

Neither club will read too much into the result.  Guardiola made significant tactical changes from the Bayern side who defeated Borussia Dortmund to win the European prize while Barcelona lined up mostly reserves, albeit leavened by the presence of Javier Mascherano in defence and Leo Messi in attack.

The Spaniard, who won 14 of 19 possible titles in four years at Barcelona, said later: “It was a special game for me. I was a Barcelona player and coach my entire life. Bayern have given me a very good team. I have nothing to complain about at the moment. My football is easy to understand.”

Barcelona were in the charge of assistant coach Jordi Roura after having only completed the appointment of new boss Gerardo Martino to succeed illness-striken Tito Vilanova. The Spanish champions were missing star names such as playmakers Xavi and Andres Iniesta and new superstar Neymar.

Guardiola experimented by playing captain Philipp Lahm in attacking role on the right flank on midfield in which former Barcelona talent Thiago Alcantara played in the centre.

The move paid off in the 15th minute when the Germany international headed in a Franck Ribery cross. Mario Mandzukic, one of a host of second-half substitutes for both sides, added a second, late Bayern goal from close range.

Starting line-ups:

Bayern: Neuer – Rafinha, Dante, Boateng, Alaba – Thiago   Alcantara – Lahm, Kroos   – Robben, Ribery   – T Müller.

Barcelona: Pinto – Montoya , Bartra, Mascherano, Adriano   – Song    –  J dos Santos, Sergi Roberto  – Sanchez, Messi , Tello.

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