Legendary Bayern knockout matches from 2011-2020: Part 1

'Finale Dahoam', Wembley & cup triumphs - fcbayern.com takes a look at Bayern's most famous knockout matches between 2011 and 2020. Part one covers the first half of the decade.

25 April 2012 - Real Madrid vs. FC Bayern

The 2012 Champions League semi-final first leg between FC Bayern and Real Madrid had already been a thrilling match. Mario Gómez took the roof off the Allianz Arena in stoppage time with a goal to make it 2-1. In the second leg, a week later at Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, the Madrid side sprung out of the blocks, with Cristiano Ronaldo scoring twice early on. Arjen Robben halved the deficit for Bayern just before the break, levelling the tie on aggregate. The game swung back and forth between the sides from then on, but it was to be a penalty shootout that, after 120 minutes, would separate the sides. After Manuel Neuer parried Ronaldo and Kaka's penalties, and Sergio Ramos also missed, Bastian Schweinsteiger's penalty was the decider, and he thundered the ball into the net to send Bayern through to a Champions League Finale Dahoam ('final at home).

19 May 2012 - FC Bayern vs. Chelsea

It was one of the biggest and similiarly, one of the most painful games in FC Bayern's history. On 19 May 2012, the German record champions met Chelsea in the final of the Champions League, staged at Bayern's home, the Allianz Arena. The Bavarians dominated the game in every respect and Thomas Müller headed in what appeared to be the winning goal on 83 minutes, but Didier Drogba scored two minutes from time to send the game into extra time. In the additional 30 minutes, Arjen Robben had a chance to make it 2-1 to Bayern from the spot but his effort was saved. In the penalty shootout, things looked good initially for FCB, who led 3-2 after each side had taken three penalties, but the tide turned once more and Drogba converted the decisive penalty to see Chelsea run out 4-3 winners.

27 February 2013 – FC Bayern vs. Borussia Dortmund

After the final whistle Arjen Robben got down on his knees and screamed with joy. Bayern had just defeated Borussia Dortmund 1-0 in a famously tight cup fight. Robben had scored the decisive goal in the 43rd minute of the semi-final of the DFB Cup with a remarkable strike. On 27 February of all days – FCB's official birthday – Bayern were finally able to once again celebrate a victory over their perennial rivals from Dortmund. Up until then, Bayern fans had waited more than three years for a victory against BVB in either cup or league. This hard-fought win against Borussia was a major milestone on the way to the historic treble.

23 April 2013 - FC Bayern vs. Barcelona

There was bedlam at the Allianz Arena on this evening. In the first leg of the Champions League semi-final, FC Bayern blew Barcelona away. Thomas Müller bagged a brace, and Mario Gómez and Arjen Robben also scored in an unforgettable 4-0 win. A week later, the Munich men beat Barça 3-0 in the second leg at Camp Nou to seal their place in the final of Europe's premier club competition for the second year running.

25 May 2013 - FC Bayern vs. Borussia Dortmund

What a triumph! On 25 May 2013, FCB and Borussia Dortmund contested the first-ever all-German Champions League final. After initial difficulties, the Munich team eased into the driving seat. Mario Mandžukić put FCB 1-0 up in the 60th minute, though the joy was short-lived as Ilkay Gündogan equalised from the penalty spot for BVB seven minutes later. But in the 89th minute, Bayern fans witnessed a moment that is sure to still give them goosebumps today. Franck Ribéry accepted a long pass from Jérôme Boateng. The Frenchman controlled the ball and flicked it on to Arjen Robben, who deftly clipped the ball past the onrushing Roman Weidenfeller – 2-1, and Bayern were kings of Europe!

01 June 2013 - FC Bayern vs. VfB Stuttgart

The treble, the crowning glory of the most successful season in the club's history! After winning the Bundesliga and the Champions League, FC Bayern also secured the DFB Cup on 1 June 2013. In the final in Berlin, FCB beat VfB Stuttgart 3-2 thanks to a brace from Mario Gómez and a goal from Thomas Müller. With a third major trophy that season, Jupp Heynckes' team wrote themselves into the history books.

17 May 2014 - FC Bayern vs. Borussia Dortmund

This picture brings a ray of joy to the face of every Bayern fan. In his inimitable style, Thomas Müller sprinted towards Roman Weidenfeller with his last ounce of strength, rounding the BVB goalkeeper and tapping home for a 2-0 win. In an unforgettable match on 17 May 2014, FC Bayern faced off against Borussia Dortmund in the DFB Cup final at Berlin's Olympiastadion. After the sides were locked in a stalemate after 90 minutes, the teams played extra time. Arjen Robben put Bayern ahead in the 107th minute and thanks to his, as he himself calls it, "epic sprint battle" against Marcel Schmelzer, Müller scored to seal a 17th cup triumph.

"I was physically already at the limit. My shinpads were already down to my ankles." Thomas Müller explains his famous run in his usual style.

8 & 28 April 2015 – Penalty drama in the DFB Cup 

It was the season of penalty shootout drama for FC Bayern. In the quarter-finals of the DFB Cup, the Munich side played away to Bayer Leverkusen on 8 April 2015. After 120 minutes without a goal, the teams were to be separated via a penalty shootout. Cue the famous image of FCB coach Pep Guardiola watching the penalties from a folding chair. His charges progressed after a 5-3 win and 20 days later, Bayern found themselves up against rivals Borussia Dortmund in the semi-finals. FCB clearly dominated the game, taking a deserved lead through Robert Lewandowski, only for BVB to equalise thanks to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Once again, Bayern were subjected to a penalty shootout. This time, Bayern fell foul of some serious bad luck. Philipp Lahm and Xabi Alonso both slipped as they took their kicks, and Mario Götze and Manuel Neuer also missed as Dortmund eventually won 2-0.

21 April 2015 – FC Bayern vs. FC Porto

"Never give up" – the message echoing round the Estádio do Dragão in the late evening of 15 April 2015 following an away Champions League fixture against FC Porto. Despite the 3-1 defeat they had just witnessed in the quarter-final first leg, Bayern's fans were determined not to give up. A week later, those supporterss underlined their message with an impressive tifo before the return leg at the Allianz Arena, and the players duly responded. The Reds produced a barnstorming performance, leading 5-0 at half-time and, thanks to a 6-1 win, ultimately progressing to the semi-finals in style.