Top 5 Bayern Munich games of 2012

FC Bayern Munchen

Bayern Munich has always given its fans the feeling that they are right there with the top clubs and they belong there. And there’s enough proof to support their claim. Currently, they stand First in the Bundesliga, 9 points clear of Bayern Leverkusen and 12 points clear of defending champions, Borussia Dortmund.

The 2011-2012 season was rather disappointing for a Bayern fan, what with Bayern losing out on the Bundesliga title and losing to Chelsea in the Champions League Final. However, this season, as the statistics suggest, things might just turn out differently for the Bavarians.

Read on as we take you through 5 of the top games Bayern’s played this year, and mind you, they haven’t won all of them!

1. FC Bayern Munich 7 – 0 Basil (13 March, 2012 – Round 16, Second Leg, Champions League)

A record breaking victory over FC Basel 1893 saw Mario Gomez score the fastest four-goal haul in the competition. Having already scored seven on Saturday against TSG 1899 Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga, Bayern were brimming with confidence and soon set about eradicating Basel’s first-leg lead. Arjen Robben and Thomas Muller scored the other 3 goals and saw Bayern Munich sail smoothly into the next round.

2. Borussia Dortmund 1 – 0 FB Bayern Munich (11 April, 2012 – Bundesliga)

Robert Lewandowski was the star in this game. The first half of the game was pretty exciting, but devoid of any goals. Both teams needed to win this game, and Bayern was well aware of the fact that a loss would inch Dortmund closer to the title and that’s exactly what happened. Bayern were awarded a penalty kick in the 82^nd minute and Robben stepped up to take it, but Weidenfeller saved his shot. Lewandowski hit the bar as Dortmund went on the counter, and despite the late drama, the match ended 1-0 in favour of Jurgen Klopp’s men.

Check out Lewandowski’s goal, a brilliant finish!

3. FC Bayern Munich 2 – 1 Real Madrid (17 April, 2012 – Semi-Finals, First Leg, Champions League)

We make another visit to the Champions League games – this one being an absolute shocker. Franck Ribery scored the opener for the hosts in the 17^th minute, giving Bayern the lead. Initially, Bayern looked ruffled but soon regained their composure and set about restoring their lead. The second half saw Real Madrid capitalize on a misjudged clearance by David Alba and Mesut Özil duly leveled from close range. Tension gripped everyone at the Munich Arena, but a close-range strike from Mario Gomez in the 90th minute gave FC Bayern München the narrowest of advantages in their UEFA Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid CF.

Sorry Real Madrid fans, but that Gomez strike definitely deserves to be rewatched!

4. Real Madrid 2 – 1 FC Bayern Munich (25 April, 2012 – Semi-Finals, Second Leg, Champions League)

Despite losing this game, Bayern still advanced to the finals of the Champions League, which was a huge achievement for them! Madrid was pretty dominant from the start, with Ronaldo winning a penalty in the 6^th minute and scoring another in the 14^th. Arjen Robben earned the visitors a penalty and netted it successfully, thus leading Bayern Munich to a 3-1 win via the penalty shootout.

Watch the final moments of the game and Bayern Munich’s well deserved victory –

5. Bayern Munich 1 – 1 Chelsea (Champions League Final)

This was probably one the most memorable games in the Bavarian calendar. Bayern Munich dominated the game but were unable to convert any of their chances into a goal, until Thomas Muller headed in a beautiful shot with 7 minutes remaining on the clock. Didier Drogba leveled in the 88^th minute, sending both teams into extra time and penalties. No one can beat the Germans when it comes to penalties, but no one said the Germans don’t always score on penalties!

Relive that epic penalty shoot-out once more –