After failing to win their last two Champions League finals, it is very important for Bayern Munich to make amends or forever be tagged as chokers ahead of the final at Wembley.
It is quite astonishing to see a squad as blessed with talent as Bayern Munich’s not being able to get its hands on the Holy Grail that is the long-eared trophy given to the victors of the Champions League.
Touted to lift the trophy last season at the expense of Chelsea, Bayern Munich were not able to do that at the Allianz Arena and lost to the Londoners on penalties. It was indeed a heart-breaking moment for a side that not so long ago, had lost the final to Inter Milan back in 2010.
Last season’s events led many people to suggest that despite the wealth of talent at their disposal, Bayern Munich may well be the newest Champions League chokers. Indeed, it is quite shocking to see a team containing players like Philip Lahm, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Toni Kroos, Thomas Muller, Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery never being able to guide the team to the highest plateau of European football.
With their latest Champions League final appearance only a few days away, it would be understandable to see a Munich fan being cautious about his team’s chances rather than being bullish about it.
Currently, the Bavarians are perhaps playing the game with an approach that could be labelled as the best the world has seen in recent times. Indeed, with the way they dismantled every opponent and humbled one of the greatest teams of the decades in the semi-finals, it would be hard to argue that Bayern are not favourites to lift a trophy that has eluded them twice in the past four seasons.
Winning the title this time around is essential for a huge number of reasons for Munich. Throughout his career, manager Jupp Heynckes has done his job with great pride. Regardless of what happens in the final, the German will go down as one of the greatest managers football has ever seen. With Heynckes’ retirement approaching rapidly, one cannot think of a better parting gift for a manager who perhaps, would be considered the archetype of another potential omnipotent European powerhouse in future.
Moreover, with Pep Guardiola coming in, addressing players fresh from a Champions League triumph would be something that would make easier for the Spaniard to run his day to day affairs. The first task of any manager upon his appointment is to instil a wining mentality in the squad. In the Munich dressing room, confidence would surely be at an all-time high and should they manage to banish the ghosts of the past and win the UCL, Guardiola will have a squad of players who have tasted all kinds of success European club football has on offer and would be craving for more.
When it comes to European heavyweights, Bayern Munich definitely come into this category. However, it is essential for a European heavyweight to have a proof of its status and this time around, winning the Champions League for the second time in the 21st century would be the exact thing that would keep the club in this category.
Touted to lift the trophy last season at the expense of Chelsea, Bayern Munich were not able to do that at the Allianz Arena and lost to the Londoners on penalties. It was indeed a heart-breaking moment for a side that not so long ago, had lost the final to Inter Milan back in 2010.
Last season’s events led many people to suggest that despite the wealth of talent at their disposal, Bayern Munich may well be the newest Champions League chokers. Indeed, it is quite shocking to see a team containing players like Philip Lahm, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Toni Kroos, Thomas Muller, Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery never being able to guide the team to the highest plateau of European football.
With their latest Champions League final appearance only a few days away, it would be understandable to see a Munich fan being cautious about his team’s chances rather than being bullish about it.
Currently, the Bavarians are perhaps playing the game with an approach that could be labelled as the best the world has seen in recent times. Indeed, with the way they dismantled every opponent and humbled one of the greatest teams of the decades in the semi-finals, it would be hard to argue that Bayern are not favourites to lift a trophy that has eluded them twice in the past four seasons.
Winning the title this time around is essential for a huge number of reasons for Munich. Throughout his career, manager Jupp Heynckes has done his job with great pride. Regardless of what happens in the final, the German will go down as one of the greatest managers football has ever seen. With Heynckes’ retirement approaching rapidly, one cannot think of a better parting gift for a manager who perhaps, would be considered the archetype of another potential omnipotent European powerhouse in future.
Moreover, with Pep Guardiola coming in, addressing players fresh from a Champions League triumph would be something that would make easier for the Spaniard to run his day to day affairs. The first task of any manager upon his appointment is to instil a wining mentality in the squad. In the Munich dressing room, confidence would surely be at an all-time high and should they manage to banish the ghosts of the past and win the UCL, Guardiola will have a squad of players who have tasted all kinds of success European club football has on offer and would be craving for more.
When it comes to European heavyweights, Bayern Munich definitely come into this category. However, it is essential for a European heavyweight to have a proof of its status and this time around, winning the Champions League for the second time in the 21st century would be the exact thing that would keep the club in this category.
