FC Bayern Munich: A Walk Down Memory Lane

Bayern have returned to Munich after a training camp in Dubai and are due to play their first friendly today against FC Basel of Switzerland.

Thus, while Bayern prepare for the friendly, I decided to take a look through some exciting matches that Bayern have been a part of in the last few seasons.

1. Lyon vs Bayern

Venue: Stade de Gerland

Occasion: Champions League group stage; Match day Six of the 2008-09 season

Franck Ribery was returning to his homeland. His return dominated most of the headlines; this was mainly due to the fact that Bayern and Lyon had both already qualified and only first position in the group was at stake. The match turned out to be a story of two halves. Miroslav Klose opened the scoring with a good finish and Ribery doubled the scoring 22 minutes later. Klose then doubled his own tally on the night by scoring Bayern's third with a rather scrappy goal.

Bayern wasn't the only team playing though. Lyon came storming back, especially in the second half and could have even won the game had it not been for some excellent saves by Michael Rensing. In the second half, Sidney Govou scored and soon, the deficit was cut to one goal only by Karim Benzema.

No more goals were scored and the match ended 3-2 in Bayern's favour.

Highlights

2. Bayern vs Werder Bremen

Venue: Allianz Arena

Occasion: Bundesliga Match day Six; 2008-09 season

The Bayern faithful must have thought that they were all just having one bad nightmare. The Allianz Arena was regarded as a fortress as Bayern hadn't lost a single match at home the previous season. Werder Bremen played an astonishing game and brushed away Bayern. Markus Rosenberg opened the scoring. A goal by Naldo ensured that Werder went into the break 2-0 up. In the second half, Mesut Ozil added a third, Pizarro sent one home to make the score 4-0 and Rosenberg doubled his tally on the night to put the icing on the cake.

A certain Tim Borowski of Werder Bremen was playing for Bayern in that season. His late double ensured that Bayern didn't lose 0-5. Instead they lost 2-5. After the match, Thomas Schaaf, Werder's coach, was seen consoling Borowski. I am sure he was telling Borowski: "If you were in our team today, we could have won 7-0!"

Highlights

3. Rot Weiss Erfurt vs Bayern

Venue: Steigerwaldstadion

Occasion: German Cup first round; 2008-09 season

A third tier side was facing the holders in a tie which was supposed to be a high scoring win for Bayern. I am sure by now that most of you heard of Alcorcon. Bayern didn't do a "Real" and lose though. Philipp Lahm opened the scoring following a well-constructed team move. Within twenty minutes, Erfurt equalized via Cannizzaro. A lovely Lukas Podolski strike within two minutes gave Bayern the advantage going into the break, 2-1. 

After the break, Bunjaku scored and leveled the scoring. After ten minutes or so, however, a Ze Roberto header, parried by the keeper, fell to Miro Klose.  Klose finished the chance off, making the score 3-2 in Bayern's favour. Just ten minutes later, Bunjaku equalized again by lobbing Michael Rensing. It took a good goal from Toni Kroos following a Christian Lell shot to finally finish off the game in the 80th minute. Erfurt had a wonderful chance to equalize but thankfully wasted it. The final score was 4-3 in Bayern's favour.

The Jurgen Klinsmann era truly took off on this day with a victory by a one goal margin and it ended with a loss by a one goal margin.

Highlights

4. Getafe vs Bayern

Venue: Coliseum Alfonso Perez

Occasion: UEFA Cup Quarterfinal; 2007-08 season

The match pretty much kicked off with a sending off. Ruben de la Red was sent off for Getafe in the sixth minute following a foul on Miroslav Klose. You might think that Bayern might have gone on to thrash Getafe. However, twice Bayern were on their way out but somehow survived. Contra opened the scoring for Getafe in the 44th minute. Getafe were almost prepared to celebrate a victory but Ribery spoiled the party by scoring in the 89th minute.

The game went into extra time and Getafe scored twice within the first five minutes through Casquero and Braulio. With five minutes to go, there seemed to be no hope for Bayern. Luca Toni had other ideas though. He scored in the 115th minute to make the score 3-2 and equalized in the last minute of extra time to level the score 3-3. Bayern then went through to the semis on the away goals rule after the tie finished 4-4 on aggregate.

Oliver Kahn celebrated the comeback by punching Mark Van Bommel in the face.

Highlights

5. SV Wacker Burghausen vs Bayern

Venue: Wacker Arena

Occasion: German Cup, First Round; 2007-08 season

A team from the fourth tier nearly caused Bayern's exit; Wacker led Bayern 1-0, following a goal by Neubert on the hour mark. Miro Klose equalized in the 79th minute to ensure extra time. The teams couldn't be separated in extra time and the game thus went into a shoot-out.

Ribery took the first one and duly scored. Schultz missed his one for Wacker. Van Bommel and Neubert then both duly scored for Bayern and Wacker, respectively. Jose Sosa for Bayern and Martins for Wacker both missed their chances giving Bayern a 2-1 lead.

However, Hamit Altintop missed his one while Schmidt scored his, tying up the score at 2-2. Lahm and Riemann both scored, bringing the score to 3-3, while Martin Demichelis and Palionis missed theirs for their clubs. The decisive penalty for Bayern was scored by Christian Lell. Mayer missed his chance for Wacker allowing Bayern to go through to the next round. Oliver Kahn was the hero of the night mainly because he saved Palionis' and Mayer's spot kicks. Bayern thus won 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw following extra time.

Highlights (up to 1:43)

These five matches truly stand out. With Louis Van Gaal around, the drama has been missing in recent Cup ties. Which one do you think is the most exciting match of the lot? Your comments are definitely welcome.