Bayern Munich vs Real Madrid: Top five best Champions League matches

The UEFA Champions League has been churning out classics year after year like it is as easy and breathing. Giants of the game like Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Liverpool and many more have faced each other in the UEFA Champions League. However, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid have faced each other a lot more than one might think of. Both sides have a very rich history in European competitions. 

To put things into perspective Bayern Munich and Real Madrid have faced off  against each other in 26 matches altogether with Bayern winning 12 and Madrid winning 11. Let’s take a look at the top five encounters between Bayern Munich and Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League.

5. Bayern Munich 4-1 Real Madrid (1986-1987 1st leg of UCL Semi-finals)

The 1986-1987 UCL semi-final between Bayern Munich and Real Madrid was a goal fest Moreover, it is a rare sight to see Real Madrid  who are known as Mr. UCL among the online football community get outfoxed in the UCL by the Bavarians. The first leg of the semi-final pretty much decided the fate for Real Madrid.

Klaus Augenthaler opened the scoresheet for Bayern Munich scoring a goal in the 11th minute. Two more goals from Lothar Matthäus and Wohlfarth led to the first half ending 3-0 in favor of Bayern Munich. Butragueño managed to pull a goal back for the men in White in the second half. but Lothar Matthäus scored another goal in the second half and eventually the match ended 4-1 sealing the deal for the German Giants

4. Real Madrid 2-0 Bayern Munich (1987-1988 Second Leg of UCL Semi-finals)

A Real Madrid comeback which shows us once again why class is permanent and avenging the exit they faced at the hands of Bayern previously in the UEFA Champions League. The first leg of the 1987-1988 semi-final between Bayern Munich and Real Madrid ended 3-2. The second leg was at Real Madrid’s home and they fully took advantage of that and ensure that Santiago Benabeau was nothing short of a fortress .

The second leg of the UCL semi-final was pretty much decided in the first half. Real Madrid pulled off a comeback in the first half itself. Goals from Jankovic and Michel led to the score being 4-3 on aggregate. Eventually, Real Madrid held the score line 2-0 in the second leg till the match ended.

3. Real Madrid 2-1 Bayern Munich (2011-2012 Second Leg of UCL Semi-finals)

The 2011-2012 Real Madrid are said to be one of the best sides ever to not win the UEFA Champions League. They had the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka, Di Maria, Ramos and many other big players in their team. This team was given the monkier of “The Galacticos” and was masterminded from the side lines by The Special One  José Mourinho.

Bayern Munich won the first leg 2-1 against Real Madrid. The second leg was at Real Madrid’s home and Cristiano Ronaldo came to the rescue and showed when his team needed him the most by scoring a brace. Ronaldo scored two goals early in the first half and Robben scored a penalty in the first half for Bayern Munich.

The second leg ended 3-3 on aggregate and eventually went to penalties after extra time. Unfortunately for Real Madrid their best players, players who always score penalties, missed on that day and they had to pay the penalty by bowing out as losers. Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka and Sergio Ramos missed their penalties. Bayern Munich won the match 3-1 on penalties and went on to face eventual winners Chelsea in the 2011-2012 Champions League final.

2. Real Madrid 4-2 Bayern Munich (2016-2017 Second Leg of UCL Quarter-finals)

After missing a penalty in the 2011-2012 UCL Semi-finals against Bayern Munich, Cristiano Ronaldo promised Real Madrid fans that he would bring right his wrongs by helping them win  a UCL title. The Real Madrid went one step further and the Real Madrid legend then proceeded to power  his team to win four more titles.

The first leg of the 2016-2017 UCL quarter-final ended 1-2 in favor of Real Madrid. However, Bayern Munich did down their tools and scored two goals in the second leg. Ronaldo scored a late goal to take the match to extra time and that is when Real Madrid completely overturned the match.

The score line was 3-3 when the fulltime whistle was blown. After extra time, Real Madrid won the match 6-3. Cristiano Ronaldo scored 2 more goals to complete his hat-trick and Marco Asensio went into the scoresheet as well snatching victory from the jaws of defeat.

1. Real Madrid 2-2 Bayern Munich (2017-2018 Second Leg of UCL Semi-finals)

After being crowned champions the UCL in the 2016-2017 season, Real Madrid showed signs of a being ruthless winners and showed no signs of stopping in the next season as well. They were set to face Bayern Munich in the 2017-2018 semi-finals after beating them 6-3 over both legs in the 2016-2017 Quarter-finals. The first leg ended 1-2 in favour of Real Madrid.

Yet again Bayern Munich repeated history and did not  give up just like they did not become pushovers last time around  and put up a tough fight against Real Madrid. Joshua Kimmich scored an early goal in the third minute. Karim Benzema was Real Madrid’s saviour that night as he scored a brace.

James Rodriguez scored a goal in the 63rd minute as well but unfortunately for Bayern Munich, this effort from the bond man was not enough to save the day. The second leg ended 2-2 however Real Madrid won the tie 4-3 on aggregate and eventually went on to win the 2017-2018 UCL title as well.

Cover Credits - UEFA.com