Memorable Monday: Bayern Munich's meetings with Porto

1986-87 European Cup Final

FC Bayern 1-2 Porto

The road to the final was not easy, but Bayern did not succumb to pressure. Paired with Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven in the first round, the Bavarians overcame them, 2-0, on aggregate. They beat Austria Wien 3-1 in the next round and absolutely hammered Anderlecht in the semifinals, 7-1. Then came Real Madrid. In the first leg, Bayern cruised to victory, 4-1. Lothar Matthäus struck twice that day. A 0-1 defeat in the second leg did not matter for Bayern were in the final. Although Bayern were favorites, Porto were not to be taken lightly because they had put out Dynamo Kyiv in the semis.

With a midfield of Andreas Brehme, Lothar Mattäus and Hansi Flick as well as the reliable Dieter Hoeness up front, Bayern had everything needed for success. They took the lead in the 25th minute through a member of the front trio, Ludwig Kögl. That lead lasted almost too long, With fifteen minutes to go, the red ribbons were being prepared. The Bavarians still had the lead. And then, as is synonymous with Bayern and Champions League finals, the match turned on its head. Algerian center forward Rabah Madjer scored in the 77th minute. Three minutes later, the substitute, Brazilian forward Juary, notched what would prove to be the winning goal. Bayern were the better side; yet Porto, at the final whistle, left with the cup.

1990-91 European Cup Quarterfinals

Porto 1-3 FC Bayern (on aggregate)

Having battered APOEL in the first round and CSKA Sofia in the second, Bayern were prepared to welcome Porto to the Olympiastadion. Yet, it did not exactly go according to plan, especially because Klaus Augenthaler saw red within fifteen minutes. Playing a man down for 75 minutes is nobody's ideal first leg. But the Bavarians did it well. Manfred "Manni" Bender scored the first goal with half an hour played. Yet, Porto made the extra man count when they equalized through Domingos midway through the second half. Jupp Heynckes' charges had a tough second leg to look forward to.

Within twenty minutes of the second leg, Bayern made their intent clear. Christian Ziege scored. Yet, the one goal advantage was not enough, especially with 70 minutes left to be played. So, Manni Bender helped out again. He struck in the 70th minute. Bayern moved safely through to the semifinals only to lose narrowly to Red Star Belgrade, 3-4 on aggregate, after losing the first leg, 1-2.

Considering Bayern's name is synonymous with heartbreak in the European Cup, here is another one for you: that tie against Belgrade was heading into extra time as Bayern were winning the second leg, 1-2. Then, Augenthaler, who had scored earlier scored an own goal in the 90th minute. In disbelief, Heynckes and his charges left Belgrade. Red Star won the final on penalties. It could have so easily been Bayern's cup.

1999-2000 UEFA Champions League Quarterfinal

Porto 2-3 FC Bayern

The competition's name was different but the stakes were the same.Having topped a group including Real Madrid in the second group stage, Bayern was bound to be a favorite, especially after their defeat in the final of the previous year. In the first leg, Mario Jardel's early second half goal was balanced out by a late Paulo Sergio goal in Portugal.

In Germany, breathtaking drama ensued. Sergio scored early on in the second half. Bayern looked to have won the tie but in the ninetieth minute, Jardel decided to add drama to the match and scored. This time, it was up to Thomas Linke to bail Bayern out with a goal in the third minute of stoppage time and take them to the semifinals against Real Madrid. They lost out narrowly to the Spanish side, 3-2 on aggregate. They would have to wait one more year to have their shot against Valencia in the final.


Meetings between Bayern and Porto are rare but none of them are short of action. They played five matches and were almost inseparable. This Porto side has quite a lot of grit; they are not given enough credit for it. Will these two serve up another nail-biting game for us on Wednesday?