An unforgettable kung fu incident, a legendary shot against the woodwork and deciders in title races – this clash again and again provides really special stories. And the next meeting is on Saturday (18:30 CET). FC Bayern host Borussia Dortmund at the Allianz Arena. fcbayern.com looks back at the most spectacular Bundesliga clashes and the most eye-catching scenes in 'Der Klassiker'.
07.04.2001: Flurry of cards and Kahn's punch for joy
It was a real football battle with an unforgettable ending: On matchday 28 in 2000/01, the league leaders FC Bayern (49 points) were away at second-placed Borussia Dortmund (48) in what turned out to be a closely-fought encounter. Referee Hartmut Strampe showed eleven yellow and three red cards in the game with the most cards in the history of the Bundesliga. After goals from Roque Santa Cruz (6') and Fredi Bobic (52') the game ended all square at 1-1 – also because a free kick from Tomáš Rosický in the closing stages came off the inside of the post into the arms of the already beaten Oliver Kahn. The Reds maintained their advantage over BVB and secured the title at the end of the season.
12.09.2009: Ribéry’s jump for joy on van Gaal
First a spectacular strike and then a very special celebration: In a 5-1 win for Bayern at Dortmund at the beginning of the 2009/10 season , Franck Ribéry brushed away rumours, in his own inimitable fashion, that the chemistry was not right between him and the new FCB coach Louis van Gaal. After the Frenchman impressively curled a free kick into the top corner to make it 3-1 (65') he celebrated by running to the touchline and jumping into the arms of the Dutch coach. "Franck showed he loves his coach," van Gaal commented after the game.
06.04.2019: FCB gala performance wins title
This match was possibly the most decisive step in the title defence in 2018/19. FC Bayern were at home to Borussia on 6 April 2019 at the Allianz Arena on matchday 28 and they produced an incredibly strong performance. FCB dominated the then league leaders from the kick-off and were already 4-0 up at half-time and went on to secure a highly deserved 5-0 victory. FCB went above BVB in the table, also turned round the goals difference in their favour and held on to the top spot right to the end.
11.04.2012: Setback in title race
This defeat hurt: A win against rivals Dortmund could have seen FC Bayern returned to the top in the dramatic title race in 2011/12 – but it turned out differently: In the 1-0 defeat, Arjen Robben gave away a penalty shortly before the final whistle and then had to hear some charming words from opponent Neven Subotić. Instead of keeping the title race open, Bayern were six points behind BVB in the campaign ended with FCB the runners-up. However, Robben would never have been the legend he is today if he had not recovered from this setback and gained revenge against Subotić and Co. in his own way – keyword: Wembley.
27.11.1971: Bayern celebrate biggest Bundesliga win
In the 1971/72 season, FC Bayern swept BVB away in an 11-1 victory – back then at the Grünwalder Straße ground. The goals for the hosts was scored by Gerd Müller (4), ‘Bulle’ Roth, Uli Hoeneß (2 each) plus Franz Beckenbauer, Wilhelm Hoffmann and Paul Breitner. Dieter Weinkauff scored a consolation goal for BVB. The match clearly indicated the path for two teams in that season: Bayern ended up as champions while Dortmund were relegated from Germany's top flight for the first and last time to date.
23.11.2013: Götze’s return in red
The first Bundesliga clash between Bayern and Dortmund after meeting in the Champions League final was really special for one player: Mario Götze had left Borussia for FC Bayern a few months earlier and was now facing his former club for the first time. Due to a hostile reception from BVB fans, the striker preferred to warm up in the mixed zone ahead of his substitution but that did not affect his performance. The future World Cup winner had only been on the pitch for 10 minutes when he scored to put FCB 1-0 in front (66'). Arjen Robben (85') and Thomas Müller (87') scored late on in the 3-0 win for the record champions.
09.11.2002: BVB giant Koller keeps clean sheet
On matchday 12 in 2002/03, the eventual league winners FC Bayern beat the reigning champions from Dortmund 2-1 in the top match between first and second. In spite of the BVB defeat, the Man of the Match was wearing black and yellow – at least for part of the time. The giant striker Jan Koller gave the visitors the lead on seven minutes. And when keeper Jens Lehmann was sent off on 67 minutes with the scoreline 2-1 in favour of the Reds, the Czech put on the goalkeeper's shirt as Borussia had used all their substitutes. Koller kept a clean sheet and did his job so well that he was included in the Kicker Team of the Day – as a goalkeeper.
03.04.1999: ‘Kung fu Kahn’ inspires comeback
Oliver Kahn demonstrated how emotional it can get in clashes between Bayern and Dortmund in April 1999. In the 2-2 draw at the Westfalenstadion, the Titan caused a stir before half-time when he jumped towards the oncoming Stéphane Chapuisat with a leg stretched out. But as there was no contact and offside had already been awarded, referee Bernd Heynemann saw no reason to punish Kahn. But with Bayern 2-0 down, this incident started the comeback: Alexander Zickler (58') and Carsten Jancker (63') scored in the second half to level at 2-2, and Kahn saved a penalty from Lars Ricken on 77 minutes to register a point.
09.08.1986: Mills hits the woodwork
After the 2-2 draw between Bayern and Dortmund on matchday one in 1986/87, Udo Lattek looked back at the match-winning moment with a certain amount of incredulity at the post-match press conference: "I'm thinking about what bonus I should give him – and I don't know if he will accept it," said the then FCB coach about the Dortmund player Frank Mill who went down in the Bundesliga record books with a legendary miss. After the striker had already beaten the Bayern keeper Jean-Marie Pfaff he hit the post instead of the empty goal from close range – to this day, perhaps the most famous shot against the woodwork in Germany's top flight.
There have not only been spectacular meetings with Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga over recent years as our review of the most legendary knockout matches for FC Bayern over the past decade demonstrates:
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