Top 5 European clubs of the 21st century 

Real Madrid v Liverpool - UEFA Champions League Final Previews
Real Madrid v Liverpool - UEFA Champions League Final Previews

#3 Bayern Munich (Germany)

FC Bayern Muenchen v Hannover 96 - Bundesliga
FC Bayern Muenchen v Hannover 96 - Bundesliga

Bayern Munich have always enjoyed success, from the golden years of Franz Beckenbaeur, Sepp Maeir, Uli Hoeness, and Gerd Muller in the 1970s to the 'Hollywood Bayern' period of the 1990s.

They ended the 20th century by losing the 1999 Champions League final in heartbreaking circumstances after leading for most of the match only to fall to two injury time goals to Manchester United.

The Bavarians, however, bounced back excellently two years later and defeated Valencia on penalties to win their fourth Champions League title.

The 21st century has been really favorable for the club, with Bayern Munich flexing their domestic power more than at any other time in history.

They have won a total of 14 Bundesliga titles, including the last seven consecutively and nine DFB Pokals, with each of their Cup wins coming in 'double-winning' campaigns.

Their charge for most of the 21st century was led by the wing wizards Arjen Robben and Frank Ribery, affectionately termed 'Robbery', while players like Robert Lewandowski, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Thomas Muller, Manuel Neuer, and Javi Martinez have all helped consolidate their strength domestically.

Bayern Munich suffered heartbreak when they fell to Chelsea in the final of the Champions League in their own backyard in 2012 but just a year later, the finest hour in the club's history was achieved as they won a continental treble for the first time ever.

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