Bayern Munich: The rise of champions
Bayern Munich celebrate following their victory after the UEFA Champions League semifinal second leg against Barcelona at Nou Camp on May 1, 2013 in Barcelona, Spain. Getty Images)
To a sport that transcends all religions, all roads lead to the Championship league final and unarguably, the crown is the final redemption of this adventurous odyssey. Indeed, the dream of every player to wear a jersey is to picture himself raising the iconic trophy in the gaze of a billion under the colourful shower of roaring chants, celebration and euphoria.
But then again, this precious honour is glorified by the rarity and magnanimity of its achievement. Not too often does one get a hand on this royalty. Only the persevering hearts are blessed with a date with destiny.
In the 58 years of this magnificent ritual of gladiatorial war for gaining worship, at fourth place on the list of success rate for all time in the Champions League, with 4 titles and 5 runner-ups, Bayern Munich demands a fair share of respect and admiration. But with no title to display their prowess in the last 12 years, their genius seems betrayed; their hunger for the crown has grown.
In the last three finals, Bayern contested twice only to concede glory to their fancied opponents.
In 2010, after a tricky ‘win: draw: loss’ 7-1-5 season, it went home humbled by the magic and class of Barcelona. Not too defused by the loss to a Catalan unit that seemed on top of their game and the best a century was to ever see, they returned to the final two years later in 2012.
2012 was a different tale though, with a magnificent 10-2-3 season of iconic strategies and yet their trophy seemed elusive as they had to resign to the fickle fate of luck in penalties. Ironically, the same penalties that won them a place in the final while beating Madrid in the semis, denied them the final step to the throne against a par-Chelsea at home.
If anything, the sheer will of this champion to rise from those heart-breaking conquests of being so-near-yet-far to redeem themselves is laudable.
Heynckes has restored belief in an experienced side, and he has turned Arjen Robben and Thomas Mueller into ticking machines. He has driven passion into aging limbs, and instilled a truth into their vision that they stand as a unit among the best in the world. With a sparkling season that stands at 9-1-2, inclusive of a rampaging 7-0 aggregate thrashing of Barca in the semi-finals, they booked a night to the Wembley in search of the crown forfeited to chance a year ago. Deservedly, everyone’s money is on them this time around.
But as the wondrous surprises of the game would have it, against the expectations of half the world that would’ve bet or at least hoped for an El Clasico, it’s finally come to pitch an all-German final, although the two make an entry with contrasting victories against the two Spanish giants.
Bayern arrive with a conclusive revenge and humbling of a beleaguered Barca team carrying a momentum that seems unstoppable. More appreciably, the fact that they beat the Catalans at their own style and backyard should be a glaring indicator of their current form. Their less fancied opponents in Borussia Dortmund with a single title in ’97 aren’t exactly daunting, based on their domestic form. A facile 4-3 aggregate win against Madrid riding on the fortune of an elegant 4-1 win at home betrays their frailties exposed by an inspired Madrid at Bernabeu. However a 7-4-1 season elicits some respect and Bayern should handle them with care. Being familiar foes removes the element of surprise.
And so as it finally comes to stand, we have no El Clasico but one could expect a similar game with two top German clubs influenced by the style of the two Spanish giants. Bayern replicates the possessive play of Barca while Borussia mirrors the dynamism, pace and counter-attacking ability of Real.
Come May 25th we are set for another epic showdown. Bayern should retrieve what’s theirs to gain, and that will herald the rise of true champions who braved despair, misfortune and risen against all odds, completing a historic treble this season.