The biggest rivalries that originated in the UEFA Champions League

#2 Real Madrid vs Bayern Munich

Real Madrid has the slight edge with 11 wins compared to the nine for FC Bayern Munich

The two European powerhouses have faced each other 22 times in all competitions. Real Madrid has the slight edge with 11 wins compared to the nine for FC Bayern Munich. Real Madrid had their golden era during 1950-60s and Bayern Munich in the 1970s.

The Black Beast as Bayern is called is not a superlative term. To understand it we have to go back to three decades ago. In the 1987 Champions League Semi-Finals, Bayern demolished Real Madrid 4-1.

The match, however, is the one which ignited bad blood between Madrid and Munich. Real Madrid legend Juanito brought Lothar Matthaus down with a tackle. Real already on the back-foot in the game, the frustrated Juanito couldn’t keep his emotions in control.

He stamped on Matthaus’ face while Lothar grimaced in pain. UEFA banned Juanito for five years, ending his decorated career with a black mark.

Madrid and Munich were just getting started. Madrid based outlet, Marca branded Bayern captain Oliver Kahn as The Enemy.

Kahn with his charismatic leadership fit the description of The Black Beast perfectly. Bayern and Real faced each other four times in Champions League 99-00.

Bayern demolished Madrid in the group stages twice but the Galacticos shut the door on Munich’s face with a 3-2 aggregate win in the semi-finals, eventually winning the title. In the following season, 2000-01, Bayern had a hero in the form of Goivane Elber.

Elber scored in both legs of semi-finals, as Bayern dumped out Madrid avenging their loss, and went on to win the finals against Valencia.

In 2001-02, Bayern and Madrid faced in semis again. The first leg at Munich was salvaged by Bayern following two late goals from Effenberg and Pizarro. Madrid hit back in the second leg, winning by 2-0, ending the tie 3-1 on aggregate.

Madrid defeated Leverkusen in the finals to win their ninth title. In 2003-04, the R16 tie hung in the balance following a 1-1 draw at Munich.

The return leg was Zinedine Zidane's spotlight as he scored in the 1-0 win. Schweinsteiger got his first experience of Europe, perhaps a consolation for Bayern.

In 2006-07, Madrid won the first leg 3-2, in the round of 16 tie. However, in the return leg, Madrid was hit early.

As early as 10.2 seconds. The Dutch Maestro Roy Makaay struck in 10.2 seconds and the match ended 2-1 in favor of Bayern Munich.

Roy Makaay's lightning strike vs Madrid: One of the best moments

Manuel Neuer stung Madrid with his saves in the shootout in 2011-12. Ronaldo did the same in the 5-0 hammering over two legs in 2013-14. Madrid and Munich faced each other in the quarterfinals in 2016-17.

Madrid won the first leg at Munich by a 2-1 margin. Bayern staged a tremendous fight-back at Madrid.

But controversy struck as Vidal was dismissed by referee Viktor Kassai. The match went to extra time and Real Madrid advanced thanks to Ronaldo’s goals, both of which should have been deemed offside. Referee Viktor Kassai was banned by UEFA for two years.

The latest meeting came last year and Madrid won 4-3 on aggregate. To add a fair bit of controversy, Marcelo’s hand ball in the box wasn’t given in Bayern’s favour.

Also, former Madrid man James Rodriguez who was kicked out of the team by Zizou came back to score against them.

A tie which has had it all, bad blood, heroics, controversies, legends, redemption and classic matches. One of the best rivalries in football.