FC Bayern can look back at a very eventful year in 2021. Julian Nagelsmann took over as the new FC Bayern coach at the start of the season. The first title came in August with the DFL Supercup. FCB came out on top in big games in the Bundesliga and the Champions League. The Reds suffered a disappointing result in a DFB Cup defeat. In the second part of the annual review, fcbayern.com takes a close look at the first half of the 2021/22 season.
Nagelsmann takes charge
Julian Nagelsmann took over as coach at the record champions on 1 July. "I'm virtually back home now. And then being able to work for one of the biggest clubs in Europe is obviously an exceptional combination that makes me very, very happy," said the new Bayern coach.
Draw for starters
After Bayern had to manage without numerous key players in the pre-season due to the European Championships and injuries, the season opened in Mönchengladbach. In a closely fought game, the Reds secured a point in a 1-1 draw.
In mourning for Gerd Müller
Everything came to a standstill in the FC Bayern world on 15 August. The German record champions and their whole fan community were in mourning for Gerd Müller who passed away at the age of 75. 'Der Bomber' made history with the German record champions and the German national side and he will be remembered forever.
Supercup triumph in Dortmund
Bayern secured the first title of the new season in Dortmund in the middle of August. The Reds beat BVB 3-1 in the DFL Supercup to retain the title from the previous year.
Impressive wins at Leipzig and Barcelona
After Bayern came through brilliantly in the first round of the DFB Cup against Bremer SV (12-0) and in the league against Hertha Berlin (5-0), FCB clocked up an impressive 4-1 victory in the top game on Julian Nagelsmann's return to Leipzig. That was followed three days later by an outstanding 3-0 win away to Barcelona at the start of the Champions League campaign.
Flying high on top of the table, convincing wins against rivals
Bayern took over top spot in the league on matchday five with a terrific 7-0 win against VfL Bochum at the Allianz Arena. And a 2-1 home defeat against Eintracht Frankfurt two weeks later did not throw FCB off course. In a top match at the time against Bayer 04 Leverkusen, who were level on points, Bayern produced a real show of strength in a 5-1 victory. That was followed by two 4-0 wins in the Champions League away to Benfica and in the Bundesliga against Hoffenheim.
DFB Cup exit at Mönchengladbach
Bayern were drawn away to Borussia Mönchengladbach in the second round of the DFB Cup. Nothing went right for FCB on the night. The Reds suffered a 5-0 defeat and were knocked out of the competition.
Impressive UCL displays and early qualification
There were no doubts for Bayern in terms of progression in the Champions League. After convincingly winning all the first three games, a 5-2 home win against Benfica at the start of November ensured qualification for the Round of 16. A 2-1 away win at Dynamo Kiev on the next matchday sealed top spot in the group. FCB fans will remember the wonderful overhead goal from Robert Lewandowski for the opener at Kiev.
Wins in big match and against Barcelona
Bundesliga matchday 14 at the start of December brought an away game against closest rivals Borussia Dortmund. In a fast-paced and spectacular big match, Bayern came out on top with a 3-2 scoreline to extend the lead over second place to four points. That was followed four days later by a 3-0 home win against Barcelona to perfectly round off the Champions League group stage. The Reds have drawn FC Salzburg in the Round of 16.
Goal fest at the end of the year and nine-point lead
A hard-fought 2-1 win against FSV Mainz 05 for Bayern was followed by two convincing victories at VfB Stuttgart (5-0) and at home to VfL Wolfsburg (4-0). That gives the Reds a lead of nine points in the New Year. Robert Lewandowski also set a new goalscoring record: The top striker netted 43 Bundesliga goals in the calendar year of 2021 - more than any other player before.
Here is part one of the review of the year:
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