FC Bayern will return to the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday, 8 May for their Champions League semi-final second leg. It’s been the site of some of European football’s biggest clashes, with Bayern against Real Madrid the most played semi-final in the history of the Champions League. And the Bavarians have often come out on top in the Spanish capital, as we see in a trip down memory lane in Madrid.
31 March 1976: Real Madrid 1-1 Bayern
One of the most important goals in Bayern’s history wasn’t actually caught on film. When Real’s Roberto Martinez missed a chance in the 43rd minute of the 1975/76 European Cup semi-final first leg, the cameras stayed on the striker as he rued his opportunity. In the meantime, Bayern broke and Gerd Müller put away a square pass from ‘Bulle’ Roth. The goal that nobody saw on TV brought the Germans level at 1-1 somewhat against the run of play. Bayern were two-time defending European Cup holders – nothing was going to knock them, not even when a Real fan punched Müller after the final whistle. Der Bomber didn’t complain but instead exacted revenge in the return leg with a brace in the 2-0 win as Bayern went on to reach the final and make it a hat-trick of continental titles.
22 April 1987: Real Madrid 1-0 Bayern
When Bayern made the trip to the Spanish capital in April 1987, they felt nothing could go wrong. But that’s rarely the case up against Real in front of 100,000 supporters. The first leg in Munich had ended in a 4-1 home win, aided by a red card for Los Blancos’ Juanito in the first half after a brutal stamp on the head of Lothar Matthäus. It meant Bayern had to withstand a Real onslaught in the return fixture. Klaus Augenthaler was sent off after 30 minutes, just moments after the hosts had scored, and was left alone with his thoughts in the changing room: “I showered a few times, had a smoke.” The Spaniards needed two more goals with their man advantage, but Jean-Marie Pfaff had the game of his life in goal for Bayern. The Bavarians would hold on to reach the final, which they ultimately lost to Porto. But it was after this game that the Spanish media started to refer to Bayern as La Bestia Negra.
1 May 2001: Real Madrid 0-1 Bayern
Bayern have rarely swept across Europe with as much conviction as they did in early 2001. The team had rallied after the disappointment of losing the 1999 Champions League final. They had grown together and perfected their disciplined, controlled style of play. Madrid had the better individual players, were superior on the pitch, but had no chance. Oliver Kahn was unbeatable in goal. Up front, Giovane Elber was lurking. In the 55th minute, the Bayern defence sent a Real attack straight back into their half, with Elber turning and finishing from 25 yards out. The Brazilian later said he wasn’t quite sure where the goal even was. Bayern simply had a blind understanding that year. And when they won the return leg in Munich 2-1, they’d booked their place in the final against Valencia.
25 April 2012: Real Madrid 2-1 Bayern (Bayern win 3-1 on pens)
Once upon a time, Bayern even had the great Jose Mourinho on his knees. That was how the self-styled “Special One” was watching one of the most thrilling European ties of all time. Bayern had won the first leg at home 2-1, but they were 2-0 down after just 15 minutes in Madrid. All their hard work looked to be for nothing, but the team battled back, and Arjen Robben scored a penalty to get them level in the tie again. It remained 2-1 – 3-3 on aggregate – after 90 and then 120 minutes as the semi-final went to penalties. Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka and Sergio Ramos all missed for Los Blancos, while the Bavarians held their nerve from 12 yards. Bastian Schweinsteiger, fresh back from a lengthy injury and so exhausted he was barely able to make it to the spot, stepped up and converted the decisive penalty. Bayern were into the final in Munich, the Finale dahoam. And Mourinho went into the away changing room after to congratulate every player in red.
1 May 2018: Real Madrid 2-2 Bayern
For the fifth time in six years, a Spanish team stood in the way of Bayern in the Champions League semi-final. The Bavarians had lost the previous three. How would this one go? Bayern were unlucky to lose the first leg at the Allianz Arena 2-1 against Real. Several key players were then missing in Madrid in Manuel Neuer, Jerome Boateng, Arturo Vidal, Arjen Robben and Kingsley Coman. Bayern scored early through Joshua Kimmich and dominated like never before at the Bernabeu, but Karim Benzema then scored twice against the run of play. The Munich side got one back to make it 2-2, but a decisive third goal just wouldn’t come. Bayern left the famous stadium with their heads held high and would finally end their Spanish curse in 2020 with a historic victory over Barcelona on their way to lifting the trophy for a sixth time. Now it’s time to do the same again!
This story appeared in the latest edition of members’ magazine ‘51’