Fifty years ago, Bayern became the first German team to win a hat-trick of Bundesliga titles and the European Cup – all within the space of eight days. Members magazine ‘51’ has taken a look back at four unforgettable games and forgotten moments off the pitch in May 1974. Part 1 tells the story of a historic day at the Olympiastadion when Bayern made Bundesliga history.
Saturday, 11 May
At the moment of triumph, the boss urged prudence: "No naked photos this time, please!", called Bayern president Wilhelm Neudecker into the dressing room where the likes of Franz Beckenbauer, Sepp Maier and Gerd Müller were celebrating winning the Bundesliga. Photographers and camera crews jostled outside the door.
„Our team had never been as good as it was in 1974.”
Franz Beckenbauer
The Bavarians had secured the title with a game to spare thanks to a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Kickers Offenbach – the culmination of a never-before-seen run of 15 consecutive wins in the Bundesliga – combined with a 1-0 loss for rivals Borussia Mönchengladbach away at Fortuna Düsseldorf. But the president was looking at the bigger picture – German football history and the European stage. Naked people weren’t any use to him there.
Title in the bag, European Cup in sight
Bayern had become the first club in Germany to be crowned champions three years in a row. And they had the final of the European Cup against Atletico Madrid to come just a few days later. “We would like to make our names part of an era,” Neudecker told reporters, “like Real Madrid or, more recently, Ajax.”
The omens were good: “We knew that we were usually the better team, and that Gerd would score a goal with his arse in the 90th minute if in doubt,” recalled Paul Breitner. “That knowledge carried us through.” Captain Beckenbauer was also enthusiastic: “Our team had never been as good as it was in 1974.”
The Bayern of the 1970s had talent, speed and now also experience. Only Jupp Kapellmann, Conny Torstensson and Viggo Jensen were getting their hands on the Bundesliga Meisterschale for the first time. That's why they were already looking to Brussels. “That was the real acid test for our final against Atletico,” said Müller, who scored the goal in the 75th minute against a battling, aggressive Offenbach side. Fouls, tackles, time wasting... but Bayern still won in the end. A good omen?
Celebrations “with consideration and inner peace”
Contrary to the president's fears, the team didn’t celebrate too exuberantly, but seemed relieved that they had the title in the bag and were no longer faced with a decider on the final day against a strong Gladbach side led by Jupp Heynckes. After just half an hour, the dressing room party was already over. “We savoured the moment,” Breitner recalled, “and celebrated in small groups. With consideration and inner peace.”
The Scandinavian group of Jensen, Torstensson and Johnny Hansen went out for an Italian meal. Rainer Zobel ended up with former colleagues from Hannover and 1860 players in the infamous ‘Weinschatulle’ in Maxvorstadt (“but only briefly”). Uli Hoeneß told the reporters succinctly: “I'm going home and taking a nap.”
This series appeared in the current issue of members’ magazine ‘51’
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