Bayern Munchen has just won the treble and its sixth Champions League trophy. The Bavarians have long ago created a winning mentality that carries over into each subsequent generation. Here’s a history of their six continental successes.
1973–74 European Cup: Bayern Munchen 4 – 0 Atletico Madrid
The mid-1970s belonged to Bayern Munchen. Their dominance of European football began in earnest in 1974. The Bavarians won their first European Cup at the expense of Atletico Madrid. Uli Hoeneß, current Bayern president, scored a double, as did Gerd Muller, the club’s all-time greatest goalscorer.
1974–75 European Cup: Bayern Munchen 2 -0 Leeds United
The Bavarian outfit was back in the final one year later. They met a legendary Leeds United side. The English team made a name for themselves in both international and local competitions during the 1970s.
In front of a packed Parc des Princes stadium, Bayern Munchen left it late but came out on top thanks to another goal from Gerd Muller. A winning legacy had taken shape.
1975–76 European Cup: Bayern Munchen 1-0 Saint-Étienne
Bayern won their third Champions Cup trophy in a row after victory against Saint-Étienne. At the time, the French side was a force to be reckoned with, winning ten league titles between 1956 and 1981.
The victory came by the smallest of margins this time. Franz Bule Roth scored the winner. Roth had scored in the previous final as well, capping off a career that saw him play more than 300 ties for the Die Roten.
2000–01 UEFA Champions League: Bayern Munich 1(5) – 1(4) Valencia
Bayern remained the most famous German club, but, following their glorious 1970s European run, the Bavarians faced a dry spell in Europe. In 2001 they met a brilliant Valencia side, and could only draw after 90 minutes.
Mauricio Pellegrino missed the decisive spot-kick and Bayern was left celebrating a fourth European triumph, their first Champions League victory in the new era.
2012–13 UEFA Champions League: Bayer Munchen 1-2 Borussia Dortmund
Bayern’s first great success in the modern era came at the hands of rivals Borussia Dortmund. Both clubs began a period of success, but it was Bayern who edged out this match.
Arjen Robben scored a late winner, leaving one of Dortmund’s greatest generation needing to wait for more for their 2nd turn as Kings of Europe.
2019–20 UEFA Champions League: Bayern Munchen 1-0 Paris Saint-Germain
It’s true that Bayern hovered around the big European prize in years prior. However, it took nearly two decades for the Bavarians to reach the UCL zenith. A single goal from Kingsley Coman clinched it against a PSG forced to search for an equalizer on the break.
Bayern has won six times, out of eleven Champions League finals. Their victory is no accident, of course, but rather one more proof of the excellent preparation and attitude that is at the heart of how the Munchen club is run.
