Football has always had passionate fans, but nothing can be more passionate than the teams themselves.
This passion often results in rivalries due to their ambitions of winning. When you think of iconic rivalries, you don’t have to look very far, as football has one of the most intense and long-standing rivalries between two legendary teams of all time.
Real Madrid and Bayern Munich may have faced off so many times, but their rivalry will always be at the top of everyone’s mind.
Their memorable matches, iconic performances, and over-the-top drama are often called the European Clasico, which has shaped how we view the UEFA Champions League today.
If you’re interested in learning more about the epic rivalry between FC Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, check out the entire history below.
The Birth of an Intense Rivalry
The rivalry between the teams started in the 1970s when the teams first encountered each other.
Both teams were some of the best in the league and their matches were some of the most intense. Their first official encounter ended up with FC Bayern Munich taking up the win with a score of 3-1 which they later on emerged victorious to win the trophy.
This initial encounter led to a series of fierce matches and passionate plays from both sides. A spark lit up during this initial encounter between both teams that altered how they would play when they faced each other.
The Point of No Return
Both FC Bayern Munich and Real Madrid would continue to dominate any league that they played in, and they often saw each other during the later stages of the tournament. The rivalry between teams would be in full bloom once they had solidified themselves as the powerhouses of football in the late 1970s to the early 1980s.
By the 1980s, their rivalry had intensified to the point that everyone was hyped up to see their matches. Bayern once again bested Real Madrid in the 1986-1987 European Cup which further fueled the team’s desire to beat each other.
At this point, fans, analysts, and the teams themselves knew that this was the point of no return. This was a full-on rivalry between the teams that would last for decades.
A Decade Full of Drama
By the 1990s, both teams had gone on to compete in different leagues, and it seemed that their rivalry had ended.
It wasn’t until the 1999-2000 season that their dormant rivalry was fully ignited once again when both clubs faced off against each other in the semifinals of the UEFA Champions League.
This time, Real Madrid got the best out of the match and ended with an aggregate victory of 3-2 against FC Bayern Munich. They then went on to win the entire competition and secure their eighth European title.
This fully ignited their rivalry once more as FC Bayern Munich sought to exact revenge on the team.
Revenge is Sweet the Second Time Around
It wasn’t long enough before FC Bayern Munich got their sweet revenge. By the following season, Bayern Munich had defeated Real Madrid with an aggregate score of 3-1.
They also went on to win the Champions League trophy in 1976. This performance earned them a memorable run throughout the entire decade, as they have shown themselves to be a powerhouse team with their strategies and tactical awareness.
This led to even more drama for their rivalry as it also reignited the passion of Real Madrid to beat the team that stole their supposed ninth win.
Enter Ronaldo – The Real Madrid Era
The arrival of a certain Cristiano Ronaldo at Real Madrid in 2009 added new drama to the decades-long rivalry between the teams.
Ronaldo’s knack for scoring goals threatened FC Bayern Munich’s chances of getting another win.
This made Real Madrid a formidable opponent for the team, and in the 2011-12 Champions League, Bayern ensured that Real Madrid would never touch the trophy.
In the 2013-2014 season, Real Madrid delivered a stunning performance under Carlo Ancelotti’s management, winning an aggregate victory of 5-0, which led them to win their 10th European title.
Most Recent Encounters That Continued The Rivalry
The intense rivalry continued for two more decades with both teams meeting each other in the later stages of the Champions League. This became a must-see match for every football fan as they knocked each other out to get the trophy.
Real Madrid beat Bayern with an aggregate of 6-3 led by Ronaldo scoring a hat-trick in the 2017-2017 season.
This continued in the next season, with Real Madrid beating Bayern once again, this time 4-3 on aggregate. This led them to a three-peat Champions League title, which is historic in its own right.
Two Football Titans, One Fierce Rivalry
The rivalry between Real Madrid and FC Bayern Munich has sometimes ended in ugly encounters, but it has also proven to be one of the most entertaining and captivating football rivalries in history.
The rivalry is built on respect for each other and the shared desire to win the trophy for their team and country. Throughout the decades that they have been at each other’s necks, these two teams have produced some of the best matches in the history of football.
This only thrilled their fans, followers, and many other football enthusiasts about what’s to come next even more.
Conclusion
Both clubs continue to fight for dominance up to this very day.
The FC Bayern Munich vs. Real Madrid rivalry continues to be the pillar of European football. The teams assert dominance in the field, provide high-quality entertainment to fans, and maintain respect and friendship throughout the years.
Every time they meet on the field, it is another legendary match waiting to be added to the tapestry of European football.
