Barça v Bayern, champion meetings from the past
Barça and Bayern are set to meet again, but the meeting between the only two former European champions left in the competition will also be the first ever competitive game involving the sides to be decided in a single leg.
On four of the five previous occasions when the teams have met, the winner went on to win that particular competition. Proof enough of just how big this Friday’s game is going to be...
1. 1995/96 UEFA Cup. Semi-finals
Bayern Munich 2 (Witeczek 52, Scholl 57) FC Barcelona 2 (Oscar 14, Hagi 77)
FC Barcelona 1 (De la Peña) Bayern Munich 2 (Babbel 40, Witeczek 84)
Surprisingly, it was not until a cold, snowy evening in Munich in April 1996 that two of the biggest teams in Europe met for the first time in an official competition. Johan Cruyff was the manager of a Barça side that was by no means intimidated by the Olympiastadion and took an early lead through Òscar García, although it all ended 2-2.
Barça were still unbeaten that season, and with two away goals in their favour were very much in the driving seat. But the return leg at Camp Nou saw them miss chance after chance, while the Bavarians took two of theirs. De la Peña’s 89th minute goal was too little, too late.
Bayern went on to win the title, defeating Bordeaux 5-1 on aggregate.
2. Champions League 1998/99. Group Stage
Bayern Munich 1 (Effenberg 45) FC Barcelona 0
FC Barcelona 1 (Giovanni 29, pen) Bayern Munich 2 (Zickler 48, Salihamidžić 87)
The second meetings between the sides, in the Champions League group stage, also went the way of the Germans. Barça lost in Munich, and things could have been a lot worse had Ruud Hesp not had such a fantastic day in goal.
Van Gaal’s side only had 4 points at the halfway stage in the group, so it was imperative that they posted a good result when the sides met again at Camp Nou. But it wasn’t to be. Giovanni may have put Barça ahead from the penalty spot, but Bayern ended up winning, and it was them and Manchester United who would go on to qualify for the knockout stages.
But Bayern and United would both return to Camp Nou, for they would be the two finalists in an unforgettable match. Bayern fans were already celebrating victory when two Man Utd goals right at the end totally turned things on their head.
3. Champions League 2008/09. Quarter final
FC Barcelona 4 (Messi 9, 38, Eto’o 12, Henry 43) Bayern Munich 0
Bayern Munich 1 (Ribery 47) FC Barcelona 1 (Keita 73)
The next meeting was an altogether different story. In front of 93,219 souls watched Barça pulverise Bayern 4-0, with the first two goals coming after just 12 minutes.
The game at the Allianz Arena was, in theory, a mere formality and Ribery’s goal did little to worry Barça fans. Indeed, Keita was soon scoring at the other end, leaving Bayern facing the impossible task of scoring fives.
Barça went on to beat Chelsea in the semi-finals (with that Iniesta moment at Stamford Bridge) and then defeated Manchester United in Rome to collect the trophy.
4. Champions League 2012/13. Semi-finals
Bayern Munich 4 (Muller 25, 82, Gomez 49, Robben 73) FC Barcelona 0
FC Barcelona 0 Bayern Munich 3 (Robben 49, Pique og 72, Muller 76)
One of the darkest hours in recent Barça history. Barça had high hopes going into this semi-final but Tito Vilanova’s side suffered a night to forget at the Allianz Arena.
The return leg at Camp Nou was no better. Bayern added three more goals to what would a 7-0 aggregate defeat, Barça’s worst ever in continental competitions.
Bayern went on to lift the trophy, defeating fellow German side Borussia Dortmund at Wembley.
5. Champions League 2014/15. Semi-finals
FC Barcelona 3 (Messi 77, 80, Neymar 94) Bayern Munich 0
Bayern Munich 3 (Benatia 7, Lewandowski 59, Muller 74) FC Barcelona 2 (Neymar 15, 29)
It was a very different story when the sides met at the same stage two years later. We had Messi’s famous dribble around Boateng at Camp Nou, Ter Stegen’s incredible double save at the Allianz Arena and some counter attacking football masterminded by Luis Enrique that was a joy to behold.
Bayern were being managed by none other than Pep Guardiola, and most of the good work had already been done in the first leg. Barça lost at the Allianz, but 3-2 defeat was more than enough to secure a final against Juventus.
Barça went on to lift the title in Berlin. And that was the last time Barça and Bayern have met in official competition. Until Friday!