Are Bayern Munich still European giants?

The Bundesliga is one of top European leagues. The league was only formed in 1963 but since its formation one club has dominated and that club is Bayern Munich.

Other clubs have had their spells of power but none have won as many domestic titles as the Bavarians 21.

Legends

The list of footballing legends who have taken to the field in Bayern colours is long and illustrious. The biggest of those legends was ‘Der Kaiser’ Franz Beckenbauer.  He has a strong bond with Bayern, having played for and managed the club, as well as being club president.

The fact that a such legend has an association with the club should be enough to keep them right at the top of the European football hierarchy. Other German footballing legends such as Paul Breitner and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge have also represented the club. These are major names in the history of German and European football.

Standards

In recent years Bayern have underachieved by their previous high standards. Last season they finished second in the Bundesliga and suffered a humiliating 5-1 defeat to nearest title rivals Wolfsburg. It was a true David vs Goliath battle and the defeat left the Bavarians deeply embarrassed.

Bayern also suffered Champions League humiliation with a 5-1 aggregate defeat to the brilliant Barcelona. It’s in Europe that their biggest underachievement has come in recent years. Bayern have won the European Cup on four occasions and are regarded as one of the biggest club sides in Europe.

However their form and performances in Europe have been poor. Their last Champions League victory came in 2001 when they defeated Spanish side Valencia on penalties. Since that victory they have had to be happy with quarter-finals appearances or less.

Revival

This season they are within touching distance of the semi-finals of the Champions League. Bayern take a 2-1 lead into their second leg with Manchester United tonight at Old Trafford. Bayern will be boosted by the news that United’s top striker Wayne Rooney will be missing from the clash.

Bayern will still have a lot of work to do to progress but they are in with a superb chance of reaching the last four of Champions League for the first time since they won the trophy in 2001. Bayern could finally be reaching the top of the European football tree again.

Stability

I wrote an article awhile ago when the club was in turmoil. Everybody at the club seemed to be fighting with anybody else. The club was in disarray and the turnaround since then is extraordinary and it’s down to the stability that head coach Louis Van Gaal has brought about.

I predicted in that article that if he was given time he would achieve great things with Bayern and it looks like they are starting to fulfil that prophesy.  They are currently top of the Bundesliga after a good run of form.

Stars

Although Bayern are proud of their Bavarian heritage their current stars are from elsewhere in Europe. Their two stars players are wingers Franck Ribery and flying Dutchman Arjen Robben. Robben has been carrying an injury but has been declared fit to face the Red Devils in the quarter-finals.

The former-Chelsea star could be crucial to Van Gaal’s game plan, as they are likely to play on the counter-attack at Old Trafford. In-demand French winger Franck Ribery will be on the opposite wing and will be just as important.

The pair provides the flair to go with the rest of the team’s typical German functionality. They can create chances for their teammates and also score goals. They could be crucial in the pursuit of a vital away goal at Old Trafford.

Failure

I believe Bayern have made big progress under Louis Van Gaal this season. However I have a sneaking suspicion that Manchester United may just edge past them in the Champions League. If they do defeat United then they have a good chance of lifting the trophy at the Bernabeu in May.