They say the statistics don’t lie, and that is emphasized by Mundo Deportivo could be the key difference between FC Barcelona’s 4-1 win over Bayern Munich on Wednesday and its 8-2 defeat to the same opposition in 2020.

Because of that final defeat in the Lisbon quarter-final, often referred to as Barca’s darkest night in Europe – plus other group stage defeats that have followed since in the rest of the decade to date – the Bavarians were described as the Blaugranas. “ogre” and ogre on the continent.

However, at the Montjuic Stadium this week, a Raphinha hat-trick and Robert Lewandowski’s goal left Culers dreaming of what could happen this season, amid additional key performances from the likes of Lamine Yamal, Pedri, Fermin Lopez and Marc Casado.

Hansi Flick was of course in charge at Barca for their historic victory and on the other side of the ball when his eventual treble-winning Bayern team humiliated Quique Setien’s men and prompted Setien’s dismissal by then-president Josep Bartomeu.

But while there are so many variables in a high-stakes game in elite European football, it could be the amount of running Barca did compared to the 8-2 demolition job that proved crucial this time.

Barcelona’s players covered a combined 126.55 kilometers – almost six more than Bayern’s 120.58 kilometers – compared to just 98 kilometers during the 2020 meeting between the two behemoths.

This figure can also be compared to the 118.59 kilometers and 117.8 kilometers that Barca produced in group stage defeats to the Bundesliga champions two seasons ago, when they failed to advance to the knock-out stage under Xavi Hernandez out phase.

With El Clásico looming this weekend, Barca’s markedly improved play and physical fitness could also play a crucial role against a Real Madrid team that manager Carlo Ancelotti has repeatedly said has lacked intensity of late.

In its own Champions League clash with Bayern’s home foes Borussia Dortmund, lanky Madrid went down 2-0 at the Bernabeu before coming back to win 5-2.

However, at the same ground on Saturday evening, Barcelona might not be so forgiving if they were allowed to run riot in the first half and gain such a lead.