Always the bridesmaid, never the bride seems an accurate way to describe the fortunes of Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League over the last decade. The German giants last won European Football’s most coveted prize in 2001 but have endured heartbreak all too often since then.
Very few clubs have come so close on so many occasions yet still failed to triumph. Reaching 3 finals in the last 4 seasons the Bavarian club have tasted failure every time, suffering crushing defeats to Inter Milan and Chelsea along the way. On both occasions they were strong favourites to emerge victorious.
It would appear that it’s about time Bayern put an end to their 12 season long hoodoo and shut their critics up by lifting the European Cup this season. And despite suffering all too often in the latter stages in recent times, you feel that this season they represent a formidable force, capable of going one further.
Munich have been in sublime form this season, wrapping up the Bundesliga title in record time and destroying all before them so far in Europe. Despite a minor blip against Arsenal, they have been flawless, most recently brushing the old lady Juventus aside 4-0 on aggregate.
Spectators of the German club have been impressed with the midfield partnership struck up between Bastien Schweinsteiger and Javi Martinez this season, while Mario Mandzukic and Thomas Muller provide the firepower to decimate most defences in world football. Add to that the experience of Philipp Lahm, Arjen Robben and Manuel Neuer, you would be hard pushed to find a coach who fancies his chances against the newly crowned German champions.
However, you would be foolish to conclude that Munich are capable of marching unchallenged to their first Champions League title in over a decade.
They join Broussia Dortmund, Real Madrid and Barcelona in the semi-finals of the Champions League, all sides who share the confidence that they can end the season as European Champions.
Many play a dangerous game in writing off last seasons Bundesliga Champions, Dortmund, when discussing possible favourites for the crown. With Robert Lewandowski in lethal form, Jurgen Klopp’s men are capable of putting anyone to the sword. They have already demonstrated their ruthlessness in this seasons tournament defeating Manchester City and fellow semi-finalists Real Madrid twice in the group stages. They feel quietly confident that they can beat their countrymen and the Spanish giants to the crown despite a close shave against Malaga in the previous round.
Barcelona and Madrid make up the remainder of the semi finalists and require no introduction. Real Madrid are many peoples strong favourites, particularly given the fact that they are under the stewardship of Jose Mourinho, who has already won the competition twice in his illustrious managerial career. They have the tournaments top goal scorer Cristiano Ronaldo at their disposal who has contributed an astonishing 11 goals in 10 games. The Portugese juggernaut shows now sign of slowing up as he looks to add to his tally having previously lifted the trophy with Manchester United.
Many critics regard this current Barcelona crop as the greatest footballing side ever and with four time World Footballer of the year, Lionel Messi leading the way, anyone looking to emerge victorious is charged with the impossible task of shackling the little Argentine. The Catalonians defeated Manchester United to lift the trophy the last time the final was held at Wembley and they will hope to leave London this season as Champions once more.
So as Bayern square up to Barcelona in one semi final while Dortmund face up to Madrid in the other, it is clear that we have a couple of blockbuster clashes to look forward to. However, if Bayern are to emerge victorious this season, they will have to play some of the most ruthless, clinical football they have ever produced.
But with Jupp Heynckes at the helm, a Champions League winning coach and a squad of players enjoying a rich vein of form, I doubt many fancy their chances of stopping them.
As the reigns are handed over to Pep Guardiola at the end of the season, many beg the question, will be taking over a side still basking in European glory, or will he be faced with the task of picking up the pieces of a shattered side who have once again fallen just short?