Hans-Georg Schwarzenbeck is an immortal at Bayern, all because of an amazing goal in a match which had entered the final minute of extra time. “Franz [Beckenbauer] played it square to me, which took me by surprise, because he otherwise always passed the ball forward. I didn't think it over for long, I took a couple of paces forward and let fly – at the very moment Gerd [Müller] ahead of me started moaning because he wasn't getting the ball," said Schwarzenbeck, recalling the European Cup final against Atletico Madrid on 15 May 1974. His last-gasp goal levelled the match at 1-1 and earned his side a replay, which Bayern went on to win 4-0. It was Munich's maiden triumph in the continent’s most prestigious club competition, “and naturally it was my greatest success," said the former player, who turns 65 on Wednesday 3 April.
“All the best from the bottom of my heart to Katsche," said Beckenbauer, “a world-class player, who was also a world champion character and still is today." The Kaiser has not forgotten Schwarzenbeck's stunning strike from May 1974, the one moment in the uncompromising defender’s career when he was suddenly the centre of attention. He was otherwise keen to avoid the spotlight: “I was pleased not to be the focus," said the man who put in the spadework for the Kaiser, but was still a huge contributor to Bayern's golden era in the 1970s.
Partnership with Beckenbauer
Schwarzenbeck was a model professional without airs and graces. “Basically, all I did was my job as a defender, but I had the privilege to have a world-class player like him [Beckenbauer] by my side. Being in Franz’ shadow never bothered me." Katsche the hewer of wood and drawer of water, and Beckenbauer the greatest Libero of them all, struck up a long and successful partnership.
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