Bayern Munich: The road to the finals
Munich players celebrate reaching the final following their team’s 3-0 victory during the UEFA Champions League semi final second leg against Barcelona at Nou Camp on May 1, 2013 in Barcelona, Spain. (Getty Images)
This is their third appearance in the finals of the Champions league in the last four years. A model of consistency, the German powerhouse has been making the headlines for a lot more than just their consistency on the pitch this season. The most dominant team this year in the Champions league has been Bayern Munich. They have pummelled and subjugated their opponents into submission. Their heartbreak at home last year has definitely served them well, as this year, there has been no team which has been mentally stronger than Bayern. Under the stern, watchful eyes of Jupp Heynckes, Bayern have flourished into a team adept at mixing their game up, playing a fluent possession based system when in need of controlling a game or a strong defensively stout counter-attacking system when they have faced a team good at keeping possession. And they have been the most imposing team in Europe this year, by a country mile.
Drawn in a relatively straightforward group with Lille, Valencia and BATE Borisov, Bayern started their Champions league campaign with a relatively easy win over Valencia, coasting to a 2-1 victory at home thanks to goals from Bastian Schweinsteiger and Toni Kroos. The next game saw Bayern return to the manner in which they finished last year, losing away to Borisov, as they got beaten repeatedly on the counter. However, that was a much needed wakeup call as it was after this game, that Bayern started playing with an authority and an assertion that gave the impression that they were genuine contenders. After a 0-1 victory away, they brutally dispatched Lille 6-1 at home and then got their revenge over BATE, defeating them comprehensively 4-1. Bayern finished on top of their group, and moved into the knockout stages with no fear.
Drawn to play Arsenal in the round of 16, Bayern destroyed their opponents in the first leg at the Emirates stadium, attacking with great vigour and finishing their chances off with ruthlessness to stamp their superiority over the contest. A 1-3 victory away from home is close to the best result possible, and the efficiency of their performance was pleasing. One would have thought the match up was over for all practical purposes, but the second leg saw Bayern at probably their most complacent in the entire competition this year, losing 0-2 at home, and doing just enough to scrape through on away goals. The match however, served the purpose of waking them up from their stupor for the next stages of the competition.
The next round saw them dispatch Juventus without breaking much sweat, which in all truth, was an understatement. A Juventus team that won the Scudetto without much of a challenge, and organised very well by Antonio Conte were helpless as Bayern controlled the tempo of both games, and were content to wait for their moment in both games to clinically finish off the match. An aggregate score of 4-0 did them no disservice as their high tempo pressing and calm passing of the ball saw them stroll to comfortable victories in both the legs of the quarter finals.
Coach Jupp Heynckes of FC Bayern Munich arrives with his team at London City Airport on the eve of the UEFA Champions League Final on May 24, 2013 in London, United Kingdom. (Getty Images)
Their toughest challenge till date awaited them in the semis, as Barcelona was the obstacle between them and the finals. Well, what obstacle. Facing their toughest opposition for the right to play for the trophy brought the best out of Bayern Munich, as they completely dismantled and toyed around with Barcelona. A 4-0 victory at home was a complete expression of defensive solidity and efficient football, as they used their prowess at set-pieces to establish an early advantage, and then played on the counter, breaking decisively to create goal scoring chances. The away leg at the Camp Nou was probably their most impressive performance of the competition, as they thwarted all of Barcelona’s attempts to make a comeback, and after having ridden out the storm, they set about doing what they have been doing best all season, breaking the opponent’s back with precise attacks, and controlled the game’s tempo to their advantage. The fact that they did this against a Barcelona team playing with all its stars, and at a level comparable to their usual imperious best, was what made it stand out. Bayern deserved every bit of the plaudits they received for a 7-0 aggregate win in the semi-finals.
Shrewd additions to an already excellent team in the summer have made the Bayern Munich squad probably the one with the most depth at each position in Europe. All the new players who were in the starting 11 last year, are now on the bench, and the additions of Dante, Javi Martinez and Mario Mandzukic have made a world of a difference to their play, bringing in increased solidity and refinement. The development of Kroos into an all conquering midfielder and Schweinsteiger’s continuous improvement has made sure that Bayern are technically one of the best teams out there. Credit where its due, Heynckes has coached his team to believe in themselves and their system, no matter who the personnel are, and his attention to detail has ensured that Bayern have a solid foundation for years to come, based on a stingy defence marshalled by Dante.
Ironically, this sees a return to the old German way of having a solid defence, and yet, Bayern Munich are one of the most potent attacking forces in the game currently. As they come up against Borussia Dortmund in the final, they will believe that they belong at the top of European football, and will take to the field with the confidence that they will win. And yes, as is their motto, Mia San Mia, it is their belief that they are better than the rest that makes them a European powerhouse, and going by their recent capture of Mario Gotze and the fact that Pep Guardiola will be their next coach, they will be difficult to knock off their perch at the pinnacle of European football, for the foreseeable future, at least.