The UEFA Champions League trophy has long eluded German football club Bayern Munich in recent years.
The pursuit often ends up making the Bavarians feel teased and shortchanged. Losing creates the impression that the perennial Bundesliga champions are inadequate in the European stage. During the 2014-15 season, Bayern lost to Spanish powerhouse FC Barcelona in the semi-finals (3-5). It will be the same story of bitter disappointment in 2016 (losing to Spanish club Atletico Madrid 2-2 on away goals) and during the 2017-18 season (Real Madrid defeated Bayern, 4-3). The Bavarians were always a step short of a finals appearance. The only consolation for them, I think, is that they are always reminded that despite the debacle, they remain a European powerhouse always in contention and constantly making a deep run in the knockout phase.
That is why I believe it was utterly devastating for Bayern when they dropped out of contention as early as the Round of 16 last season, given the boot by English Premier League’s then-second best squad Liverpool.
It would have been easy for Bayern to succumb to hopelessness after years of futile effort culminating in an embarrassing 1-3 loss to the eventual champions The Reds. It would have been easy for them to accept that what Lady Fate is telling them all these years is that they are not destined to win it, at least, not now. After all, the last time they won the UEFA Champions League was way back in 2013 and the theme was redemption. Before defeating Borussia Dortmund in an all-Bundesliga Champions League finals, Bayern Munich was slated for a showdown versus Chelsea during the 2011-12 finals, but the English team proved the stronger of the two. Bayern came back with a vengeance the following season and won the championship, at the expense of another German club.
That was the last time Bayern made a back-to-back finals appearance. Prior to that, the only time Bayern was in the finals in successive seasons was in the 70s, and every time they make the championship round, they go all the way. They were champions in 1973-74, 1974-75, and 1975-76 seasons.
It was a good thing that Bayern didn’t give up on the chase to win the Champions League. And today, Bayern’s story is of redemption yet again, and what a way to do it. They were done by Round of 16 last year, but this time around, they made a historic run, winning all 11 matches en route to a much-savored coronation.
They’ve finally conquered the hill. But how long can they stay as kings and continental titlists? It will depend on Bayern Munich personnel come next season.
Manager Hans-Dieter Flick was just holding an interim position 10 months ago. Now his resume includes leading Bayern Munich to several championships (Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal, and UEFA Champions League). It remains to be seen if this is enough for him to retain his position or if Bayern opts to shop for a high-profile manager next season.
The roster is a combination of talented veteran holdovers and promising young players. Robert Lewandowski, Thomas Muller, Manuel Neuer, and David Alaba are all expected to remain in the fold. Bayern’s spectacular 2019-20 season should buoy young upstarts like Joshua Kimmich and Alphonso Davies if Bayern hopes to repeat next season.
It will not be easy. Bundesliga teams are always engineering their rosters hoping to find the right combination to dethrone Bayern and end their dynasty (and teams like RB Leipzig is worth the wary after showing grit in the Champions League as well as in Bundesliga). Much harder is the task of repeating as UEFA Champions League winner, especially with talented players and teams seeking redemption themselves. Paris Saint-Germain, which Bayern scalped for the Champions League trophy (1-0 via a lone goal from no less than former PSG winger Kingsley Coman), will be top in the list of those eager to make sure Bayern does not repeat next year.
But in the next 12 months at least, both trophy and glory are Bayern’s to keep and cherish. It is up to them if a hard-won championship is short-lived, and if the beast they have unleashed is an animal easy to kill or if it turns much more ferocious over time.