The Champions League’s equivalent of El Clásico reignites in Madrid on Tuesday, featuring the iconic clash between Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, a matchup that has taken place 28 times in European competitions, including 13 knockout rounds. Here are six memorable encounters from their storied rivalry.
In the semi-finals, Bayern advanced with a 3-1 aggregate victory. Although these two teams have never faced each other in a European final, their history is significant; in eight of their 13 knockout matchups, the victorious side went on to clinch the European title. This trend began during their inaugural meeting half a century ago, where Bayern defeated Real on their way to winning three consecutive European Cups.
Bayern secured a crucial 1-1 draw at the Bernabéu, capitalizing on poor defensive play by Franz Beckenbauer and Udo Horsmann, which allowed Roberto Martínez to score. However, Gerd Müller quickly equalized for Bayern just before the half-time break. The match attracted considerable attention, with expectations that “200 million viewers across 15 countries” would tune in. Unfortunately, a production mishap meant that viewers only witnessed Müller’s iconic celebration and not his goal.
An infamous moment occurred at the end of the match when an agitated Madrid supporter charged onto the pitch, striking Müller and knocking down referee Erich Linemayr with a single punch. Müller was carried off in a daze. Following the incident, Real Madrid faced a one-year ban from European competition, leading the newspaper Marca to declare, “UEFA has assassinated its own father.” However, this ban was lifted shortly thereafter, and Madrid was so incensed that they hired private investigators to find the assailant, ultimately identifying a 26-year-old waiter from the city.
Meanwhile, Bayern celebrated another European triumph. Just before the second leg of the semi-final, Müller confidently stated, “We will win 2-0, and I will score my 50th European Cup goal.” His prediction proved accurate as he netted both his 50th and 51st goals in the first half, showcasing his signature goal-scoring style. The football community unanimously agreed that he was worth every bit of his £1,400 weekly salary.
In the quarter-finals, Real Madrid triumphed with a 4-3 aggregate victory. While it’s essential to recall the notorious semi-final of 1987 when Juanito infamously kicked Lothar Matthäus in the face, it’s worth highlighting a quarter-final from a year later in 1988 that featured a dramatic turn in snowy Munich.
Despite the unexpected March snow, Bayern came out strong, with Roland Wohlfarth striking the crossbar within the first 35 seconds. They scored three times in a nine-minute span around half-time. Even with Bayern leading 3-0 with only six minutes to go, Norbert Eder’s back-pass was intercepted by Emilio Butragueño, who capitalized on the mistake to score. Real Madrid celebrated their away goal with enthusiasm, especially when a seemingly harmless free-kick from Hugo Sánchez slipped past Bayern’s goalkeeper, Jean-Marie Pfaff.
Rafael Gordillo boldly declared, “We’ll win the second leg 8-0.” While he was only partially correct, a 2-0 victory was sufficient to advance. Goals from Milan Jankovic and a classy volley by Míchel, set up by Gordillo, secured Real’s place in the next round.
In the semi-finals of 1999-2000, the tables turned for Bayern, who had earlier defeated Real 4-2 and 4-1 in the group stage. Real Madrid, however, managed to win the aggregate 3-2, with Nicolas Anelka emerging as the unexpected hero. After a troubled start to his Real career, he found redemption by scoring in both legs of the semi-final. Anelka opened the scoring in the first leg, which Real won after Jens Jeremies accidentally scored an own goal.
In the second leg, Bayern charged aggressively, taking an early lead through a stunning volley from Carsten Jancker. However, Anelka responded with a crucial away goal, a remarkable header despite being closely marked. Although Giovane Élber pulled one back for Bayern early in the second half, Real held on to secure their place in the Champions League final.
Finally, in a semi-final match that ended in a dramatic penalty shootout, Bayern progressed with a 3-1 win on penalties after the aggregate score stood at 3-3. With Chelsea waiting for the winners, the stakes were high. The first leg saw Bayern take a 2-1 lead, and by the end of the second leg, the score was tied at 3-3 after an electrifying start that included two quick goals from Cristiano Ronaldo. A soft penalty awarded to Bayern allowed them to level the match.
The tension escalated into a chaotic penalty shootout, where Bayern’s Manuel Neuer made two critical saves against Ronaldo and Kaká. Despite Bayern missing two penalties themselves, they ultimately triumphed in this thrilling encounter, further solidifying the storied rivalry between these two European giants.
