As two continental behemoths, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich have a long and fascinating history of high-stakes matches in European competition.
Madrid and Bayern are two of the three most successful clubs in European Cup and Champions League history – the other being AC Milan – and, while strangely they’ve never duked it out in a showpiece final, there have been some incredibly entertaining fixtures between the two.
With the two sides set to square off in the 2023/24 Champions League semi-finals, here’s Bayern and Madrid’s full head-to-head history and some memorable encounters.
Bayern and Madrid met in official competition for the first time ever in 1976 in the European Cup semi-finals.
After the first leg ended 1-1 at the Bernabeu in late March, the two sides battled in Bavaria with a spot in the final and it was Bayern and Germany legend Gerd Muller who sent them on their way to Hampden Park with a brace.
Bayern would seal their third European Cup success by beating Saint-Etienne, with Franz Roth bagging the only goal of the game.
Five goals were scored in this 1987 meeting, though it’s more famous for Juanito’s infamous boot to Lothar Matthaus.
Madrid felt harshly treated by referee Bob Valentine as they went 3-0 down in the first leg of this 1986/87 European Cup semi-final, with Klaus Augenthaler, Matthaus and Roland Wohlfarth.
Juanito’s actions, however, were inexcusable.
With Matthaus lying on the floor after crudely taking out full-back Chendo, the former midfielder planted his boot on Matthaus’ back and then raked the same one over his face.
Juanito, who died in a car crash in 1992 aged just 37, received a four-year ban having previously been suspended for assaulting a referee and spitting on a former teammate.
Madrid were the holders when they visited Bayern for the second leg of their 2000/01 Champions League semi-final, having lost the first game 1-0.
Giovane Elber netted early on and though Luis Figo equalised only ten minutes later, Jens Jeremies was on hand to restore Bayern’s two goal lead which they would protect until the full-time whistle.
Bayern would go on to clinch their fourth title by beating Valencia on penalties at San Siro in Milan.
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