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Season Review 18-19: Top 5 Matches

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As we bid the 18-19 season farewell, there were a number of memorable matches that FC Bayern played over the past nine months. These are the top five that I chose in terms of significance, performance, and just overall excitement.

#5. AFC Ajax 3-3 FC Bayern Munchen

UEFA Champions League Group Stage Matchday 6

Johan Cruyff Arena, Amsterdam, Netherlands

December 12, 2018

Torschutzen

Ajax: Tadic 61’, 81’(E), Tagliafico 90+5’

FC Bayern: Lewandowski 13’, 87’(E), Coman 90’

FC Bayern Mannschaftsaufstellung (4-2-3-1)

Neuer(K) - Rafinha, Sule, Boateng, Alaba - Goretzka (Sanches 89’), Kimmich - Gnabry (Thiago 62’), Muller, Ribery (Coman 71’) - Lewandowski


FC Bayern were in prime position to top their group after five games, with only a point required to win it. Ajax, however, made it anything but easy, which was no surprise considering the outstanding performance they had previously shown at the Allianz Arena three months earlier.

Bayern ended the first half a goal ahead courtesy of a smooth finish from Robert Lewandowski, but found themselves tied right past the hour mark. Then the real fun(?) started, with Ajax’s Maximilian Worber and Bayern’s Thomas Muller getting correctly sent off for ridiculous challenges. With both teams down to ten men, Ajax finally got the go ahead with a penalty foolishly conceded by Jerome Boateng. Lo and behold, though, Bayern got a penalty of their own a mere six minutes later when Thiago was upended making a mazy run into the box. Lewandowski confidently converted to level the score at 2-2.

Just as the game seemingly drew to a close, Kingsley Coman opened fire, curling a brilliant shot into the bottom corner to all but seal the top spot for Bayern. Ajax were not done yet, however, as Nicolas Tagliafico somehow bundled the ball past Manuel Neuer to make it 3-3 in the dying seconds. The final whistle blew soon after to conclude the craziest match of this season’s Champions League group stage, if not the entire tournament.

The only entry from 2018 to make my top five, this match had everything. Late goals, red cards, penalties, you name it. It was a showdown worthy of the most successful teams of Germany and the Netherlands, and a nail-biting affair for their respective fans for the entire ninety minutes. Regardless of what happened to both teams in the latter stages of the competition, this match was something for them to be proud of for years to come.

On a side note, late goals were also on show in Amsterdam a few months later when Germany and the Netherlands faced each other, with Nico Schulz scoring a dramatic winner in the 90th minute to give Germany a well deserved 3-2 win. Maybe there’s something about that stadium…

#4. FC Bayern Munchen 5-4 FC Heidenheim

DFB-Pokal Quarterfinals

Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany

April 3, 2019


Torschutzen

FC Bayern: Goretzka 12’, Muller 53’, Lewandowski 55’, 84’(E), Gnabry 65’

FC Heidenheim: Glatzel 26’, 74’, 77’(E), Schnatterer 39’


FC Bayern Mannschaftsaufstellung (4-2-3-1)

Ulreich - Kimmich, Sule, Hummels, Rafinha (Coman 46’) - Goretzka, Thiago - Ribery (Boateng 24’), James (Lewandowski 46’), Muller(K), - Gnabry


FC Bayern faced minnows FC Heidenheim at home for the first time in this season’s Pokal, and despite Lewandowski missing out on a starting place with a minor illness, it was no question as to who were favorites to go through. Sure enough, once Leon Goretzka gave the hosts the lead early on, it seemed only a matter of time before Heidenheim met the fate that so many others had at the Allianz Arena.

That is, until Niklas Sule got himself sent off right after. Then the game went completely berserk.

Starting their bombardment with a free kick that rattled Sven Ulreich’s crossbar, Heidenheim suddenly took an unbelievable lead through two quick counterattacks that caught the Bayern defense napping (as per usual), and halftime could not have come sooner for the hosts.

Enter Robert Lewandowski. As soon as he came on, he started causing chaos in the Heidenheim defense, linking up with Thomas Muller brilliantly to set the latter up for the equalizer before scoring himself for Bayern to retake the lead. Serge Gnabry joined the party after nabbing a quick header from Mats Hummels at the far post. 4-2.

But it was clear that Heidenheim had no intention of giving up, with Robert Glatzel scoring his second of the night literally out of nowhere, and audaciously sending a Panenka penalty down Ulreich’s goalmouth a mere three minutes later to tie the score. Glatzel thus got a hat trick in his first game against the mighty FC Bayern. How many people can do that? By the way, Glatzel hails from none other than Munich itself. Oh, the irony.

Anyway, it was going to take something special for Bayern to shrug off Heidenheim’s resistance, and wouldn’t you know it, it was that golden combination of Mullendowski that did it. The two knocked the ball amongst themselves and got a penalty out of it, which Lewandowski converted to give Bayern the lead once and for all, and so it stayed until the final whistle.

Ah, the Pokal. Always serving up drama one way or another. This is why I love cup matches. You never know what will happen. No matter who your opponent is, you can never take them lightly. This was a lesson that was immensely apparent in Bayern’s 18-19 Pokal campaign, and perhaps it was experiences like these that ultimately fueled Die Roten to lift the trophy in May. Speaking of which, let’s move on to our bronze medalist match.

#3. RB Leipzig 0-3 FC Bayern Munchen

DFB-Pokal Final

Olympiastadion, Berlin, Germany

May 25, 2019


Torschutzen

RB Leipzig: N/A

FC Bayern: Lewandowski 29’, 85’, Coman 78’


FC Bayern Mannschaftsaufstellung (4-2-3-1)

Neuer(K) - Kimmich, Hummels, Sule, Alaba - Thiago, Martinez (Tolisso 64’) - Gnabry (Robben 72’), Muller, Coman (Ribery 86’) - Lewandowski


The last match of the season, the DFB-Pokal final was bound to make this list one way or another. And what a treat it was.

Bayern were buoyed by the comebacks of captain Manuel Neuer and Javi Martinez from injury, and my oh my did they deliver. Neuer was responsible for keeping the scores level by somehow getting a hand to Yusuff Poulsen’s point blank header, and literally paying an arm and a leg to keep out Emil Forsberg’s shot after the Swede had broken free of Bayern’s defense. And they call the man finished.

Martinez, meanwhile, was not as noticeable as his captain, but he did play his part well in sweeping up any loose balls in the midfield and keeping the Leipzig attack at bay. Two successful tackles and two interceptions in 64 minutes. Not too bad.

Apart from those two, Lewandowski was on fire again, scoring the opening goal with a brilliant header and sublimely chipping Peter Gulacsi to round off a successful night for the Bavarians. In addition, Kingsley Coman produced the touch of his life to score Bayern’s second in between Lewandowski’s brace.

All in all, it was one of the most memorable finals of the season across Europe, with great acrobatic goals and saves galoring. Dare I say, it was probably more memorable than both the Europa League and Champions League finals. Of course, this is probably because I am a Bayern fan, and because I was in the Olympiastadion to witness it, and because it was just beyond sweet to overcome last year’s final defeat to Frankfurt. But come on, this was one of the happiest nights of my life by far. Robbery’s final title for Bayern, singing with the fans for three hours straight, it was darn near perfect.

Oh, and on a side note, Niko Kovac is a master of the Pokal. Three finals and two wins in three years. Golly.

#2. FC Bayern Munchen 5-1 Eintracht Frankfurt

Bundesliga Matchday 34

Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany

May 18, 2019


Torschutzen

FC Bayern: Coman 3’, Alaba 53’, Sanches 58’, Ribery 72’, Robben 78’

Eintracht F: Haller 50’


FC Bayern Mannschaftsaufstellung (4-2-3-1)

Ulreich - Kimmich, Sule, Hummels, Alaba - Thiago, Goretzka (Sanches 37’) - Gnabry (Robben 67’), Muller(K), Coman (Ribery 61’) - Lewandowski


With Bayern (technically) needing just a point to secure the Meisterschale for the seventh year in a row, Niko Kovac went for full strength and put out his best team, ironically against his former club.

It soon became evident that Kovac was not going to go easy on his ex-employers when Kingsley Coman scored Bayern’s fastest goal in 2019, slotting home after just three minutes. It would have been two at the break had Serge Gnabry’s goal not been chalked off for offside midway through the first half.

Although Bayern suffered a minor scare when Sebastian Haller equalized for the evil Frankfurt, those worries were dispelled three minutes later when David Alaba pounced on a Thomas Muller shot that had been parried by Kevin Trapp. Renato Sanches then scored his first ever Bundesliga goal with a lovely bit of skill, which basically ended Dortmund’s title hopes right then and there.

But there was more to come as Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben took the Allianz Arena pitch one last time. Ribery was the first to strike, weaving past three defenders and brilliantly chipping the ball over an onrushing Trapp. The Frenchman ripped his shirt off and roared triumphantly along with the crowd. What a moment.

Robben, of course, couldn’t resist joining the party, and while he didn’t produce one of his trademark left-foot-cut-inside-shots, he rifled home a low cross from Alaba to score Bayern’s final league goal of the season. Robben’s celebration was a lot more reserved than his French friend’s, but it would take an idiot to think that he was any less happy with it.

I was also at the stadium for this game, and it was hard not to tear up when Ribery tearfully bellowed "Mia san mia!" at the crowd. To see the two legends I grew up with play their final game, score their final goals, win their final Bundesliga, and just give me the best surprise possible was more than enough for me to safely say that I was the happiest man in the world at that time.

This game just misses out on top spot, however, because Rafinha did not get the chance to play, due to Kovac making an early substitution for Leon Goretzka’s abrupt injury. Oh Leon, just why.

Fun fact, after Gnabry’s goal was cancelled, Stephan Lehmann waited until the referee gave the final call before he said his usual "TOOOOOOOOOOOOOOR" for every goal after that. Hopefully he didn’t lose his voice, because I sure did that day.



Before my number one pick, here are some honorable mentions.


FC Bayern Munchen 5-1 SL Benfica

UEFA Champions League Group Stage Matchday 5

Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany

November 28, 2019


Liverpool FC 0-0 FC Bayern Munchen

UEFA Champions League Round of 16 1st Leg

Anfield, Liverpool, England

February 20, 2019


Borussia Monchengladbach 1-5 FC Bayern Munchen

Bundesliga Matchday 24

Borussia-Park, Monchengladbach, Germany

March 2, 2019


FC Bayern Munchen 1-0 RB Leipzig

Bundesliga Matchday 16

Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany

December 22, 2018



And the number one memorable match of 2018-19 is….


#1. FC Bayern Munchen 5-0 Borussia Dortmund

Bundesliga Matchday 28

Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany

April 6, 2019


Torschutzen

FC Bayern: Hummels 10’, Lewandowski 17’, 89’, Martinez 41’, Gnabry 43’

BVB Dortmund: N/A


FC Bayern Mannschaftsaufstellung (4-2-3-1)

Neuer(K) - Kimmich, Sule, Hummels, Alaba - Thiago, Martinez - Gnabry, Muller, Coman - Lewandowski


Played a few days after the defensive calamities against Heidenheim, the return leg against Dortmund brought little comfort to the then second-placed Bayern, compounded with the previous week’s unconvincing draw with Freiburg. Sure enough, a few minutes after kickoff, it was Dortmund who got the ball rolling after Mahmoud Dahoud rattled Manuel Neuer’s post. How ironic is it that that was Dortmund’s first and last good chance of the night.

Soon after, Mats Hummels headed home Thiago’s corner to make it 1-0. Less than ten minutes later Robert Lewandowski scored his 200th Bundesliga goal in style by collecting a loose pass from Dan-Axel Zagadou and scissoring past Roman Burki.

Javi Martinez of all people then joined the fun with a pile driver of a shot from outside the box, and Serge Gnabry got on the end of a sumptuous cross from Thomas Muller to ensure the record champions were up by four at halftime.

Apart from the aforementioned chance, Dortmund did not offer any threat after halftime either, with their only shot on goal rolling slowly and safely into the hands of Neuer. Bayern were more than content to take their foot off the gas, although Gnabry did tee up Lewandowski for his second of the night a minute from time.

Was there any doubt about which game would take top spot? This was the game that finally shoved Dortmund off the top of the table, and brought the title race into Bayern’s hands. From then on, Bayern were completely dominant in both the league and the Pokal, only dropping points twice against Nurnberg and Leipzig, and ultimately winning the double.

There were many turning points in this season, such as the 5-1 win over Gladbach that brought Bayern level on points with Dortmund, the 5-1 win over Benfica that really kick started Niko Kovac’s success, and so on. However, such an emphatic win over their main title rivals was a huge nail in the coffin for Dortmund’s league challenge, and an immense confidence booster for the men from Munich. It would be improper, almost, to put this game anywhere but in first place, especially considering that was the first time Bayern were in first place since last September.

Do you agree with my picks, or do you think I missed a few? Let me know in the comments!

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