Long after the final whistle at the Stadio Olimpico, the travelling faithful who followed Bayern to Turin remained in their allocated block, cheering, chanting and singing, revelling in their heroes’ best European performance in many a long year. A fully merited 4-1 victory over Juventus sealed Bayern’s place in the Champions League knockout stages, and a seat at the continent’s top table for the sixth season in a row.
Seasoned Munich observers struggled to recall a better display in Europe since the glorious night in May 2001 when the Bavarians lifted the prestigious Champions League trophy. “It’s been a magical night, a historic event,” declared Karl-Heinz Rummenigge in the ballroom of the Principe di Piemonte Hotel, scene for the traditional post-match banquet. The chairman hailed “our best performance of the season,” an “exceptional success” and “an early Christmas present for us and our fans. We’re all completely overjoyed. Winning in the way we did is really extraordinary.”
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