Real Madrid vs Bayern Munich: A European classic
European encounters between Real Madrid and Bayern Munich have historically been a guarantee of quality, ambition and even some tears on both sides. With this season’s semi-final meet-up, the most played European tie will complete 26 meetings spanning this illustrious competition’s history. It is also no surprise that both teams happen to be two of the most successful clubs in their respective countries and in Europe.
Although the two met in three knock-out ties during the European Cup era, starting with the 1975-76 European Cup semi-final, it is the Champions League encounters that helped cement this tie as a true European classic.
The height of the rivalry (1999-2002)
The UEFA Champions League era saw eight ties between the two, nine including this season’s semi-final. The period between the 1998-99 season and the 2001-02 season saw an intensification in the rivalry due to both teams’ European dominance. After losing the 1999 final to Manchester United, Bayern met Madrid the very next season in the second group stage, beating them in both games, but eventually losing to them in the semi-finals as Madrid progressed and went on to win their eighth title after beating Valencia 3-0 in an all-Spanish final.
Bayern Munich next won the 2000-01 Champions League after beating Real Madrid in the semi-finals, and Valencia, on penalties, in the final. The Spaniards then beat the Germans in the quarter-final the next season en route to their ninth title, with Zinedine Zidane’s wonder volley beating Bayer Leverkusen.
This period in Europe saw at least one of the two sides being represented in the final, as both Bayern (1999 & 2001) and Madrid (2000 & 2002) made it to the final on two occasions each during these four years. Furthermore, the Champions League winners during this period seemed to be decided by these encounters.
In fact, during this period the Germans were nicknamed La Bestia Negra (the black beast) by fans of the Madrid club due to the nature of these encounters and the historic struggle against them. This period of European dominance was marked by Real Madrid winning the Champions League twice and Bayern Munich once.
The teams next met in two round of 16 encounters in the 2003-04 and 2006-07 seasons; Madrid won the first tie but lost out to that season's finalists Monaco while Bayern got the better of the Spaniards in the next tie but lost to eventual champions AC Milan.
Recent Encounters
The turn of the decade saw a reignition of this rivalry as the two met in three knockout encounters, excluding the current season. Jose Mourinho led Real Madrid to their first semi-final in seven seasons in the 2010-11 season, and it can be argued that this began Real Madrid’s current European domination.
Real Madrid were eventual Spanish champions in the 2011-12 season with a record-breaking La Liga campaign that saw them achieve 100 points and scoring 121 goals.
After the previous season’s semi-final loss to rivals Barcelona, it seemed as though this was the perfect time to win the elusive ‘La Decima’ (the tenth Champions League/European Cup title). However, the 2012 semi-final encounter saw the Germans progress 3-1 on penalties (3-3 after extra time) in a gripping two-legged tie.
They went on to lose the final on penalties (3-4) to Chelsea. The Germans were back to win the competition the next season and were in fine form as they thwarted all opposition before them including aggregate victories over Juventus (4-0) and Barcelona (7-0). They beat Borussia Dortmund in an all-German final to clinch their fifth title and completed a historic treble.
The 2013-14 season semi-final meeting between the two had no shortage of drama. Pep Guardiola inherited Jupp Heynckes’ treble-winning side surrounded by high expectations. Bayern were a new team altogether, with Guardiola’s style quickly being imbibed by the players. As defending champions, they came into the tie as the favourites but lost the first leg 1-0, with a sole Karim Benzema goal, finishing off a clinical counter-attack.
On the eve of the second leg in Munich, Bayern chairman and ex-player Karl-Heinz Rummenigge was quoted saying that the Spaniards would see hell as it would be hot enough in Munich for trees to burn. In response, the then coach of Real Madrid, Carlo Ancelotti, in his press conference retorted that it was raining.
Tensions were high, and a Real Madrid masterclass ensued, with a 4-0 drubbing described later by Guardiola as the biggest mistake in his career. Madrid were eventual champions winning their tenth title in Lisbon beating Atletico de Madrid in a Madrid derby final.
The most recent tie between the two was in the 2016-17 season in a controversial quarter-final fixture with questionable refereeing decisions that went for and against both sides. Robert Lewandowski’s offside goal went unquestioned and Casemiro’s rash challenges did not see a red card while Arturo Vidal was sent off for the Germans. Further, controversial offside goals were awarded to Real Madrid.
This nail-biting encounter saw the Madrid side progress 6-3 on aggregate after extra time. Bayern coach Carlo Ancelotti condemned the decisions calling for better quality refereeing or the use of technology to prevent such mistakes. Madrid went on to become the first side to defend their UEFA Champions League trophy after beating Juventus 4-1 in the final.
Current Form
Although historically speaking, ties between the two are quite unpredictable and never short on drama, Real Madrid will look at recent champions league form and consider themselves in a better position.
Not only do they brim with European DNA, but Bayern Munich have lost out in each of the last four knock-out rounds to Spanish opposition – Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, have all gotten the better of the Germans. And despite their poor domestic form, Real Madrid are a different beast in Europe.
As the Champions League semi-finals return, you can be sure to expect a modern football classic. Bayern come into the fixture after winning their sixth consecutive Bundesliga title and have booked a place in the DFB-Pokal final, the search for a second treble continues.
Real Madrid enter the fixture on the back of a poor league campaign, having failed to defend their Spanish title, however, strong showings in Europe this season means that we are sure to have a mouth-watering encounter on our hands.