From Upper Palatinate to Mönchengladbach: One day in the lives of the most faithful fans

FC Bayern fans come from everywhere to support their team away from home, even if that entails hundreds of kilometres through snow. We want to get to know those who spare no trouble or expense to see FC Bayern, even outside the Allianz Arena: our away fans with their special stories and their love and passion for FC Bayern.

550 kilometres there and back

It’s the first time that Flo (26), Benni (34), Dominik (39) and Christina (38) are in Mönchengladbach. There was heavy snowfall in the Lower Rhine region a few days ago, mountains of snow line the roads to the stadium, the meadows are covered with snow. The temperatures are below zero when the four fans’ small car arrives at Borussia-Park on Saturday evening. They drove for five hours, with Benni and Dominik taking turns behind the wheel. “We set off from near Schwandorf at 9 in the morning,” says Benni. More than 550 kilometres separate Upper Palatinate and Mönchengladbach. They will drive straight back after the match. The group has not booked a hotel since Dominik has to work again on Sunday evening.

“We don’t go to away matches much, we’re at the Allianz Arena more often,” says Christina. The Nabburg/Oberpfalz fan club, one of Bayern’s biggest fan clubs with almost 6,500 members, sets off to Fröttmaning with three to four busses. Usually there is at least one bus taking the fans to away matches. “This time there weren’t enough tickets for a bus, so we went by car,” says Flo. It is his second trip to an away game so far this season. “However”, he says with a grin, “the match against Donetsk at Schalke wasn’t really an away game, it was a home match.”

Great solidarity at St. Pauli

His friends have been on tour with FC Bayern more often: Mainz, Darmstadt, Frankfurt, “we’re there whenever it’s possible and we have time,” says Benni. “The best was at St. Pauli because of the fan friendship. It was very familial, a great time together – a dream. We drank and celebrated together, a wonderful trip.” The atmosphere is special in European away games too, he adds. “Arsenal, Juventus, Liverpool, Madrid, Paris – unique!” However, “it was challenging in Paris. The fans were hostile when we arrived at the stadium,” remarks Dominik. Ultras attacked and threw bottles at them in Dortmund, according to Benni, “but the police quickly intervened. Those were absolute exceptions. It’s usually been peaceful and very hospitable.” The group also wanted to go to Rotterdam with their fan club but did not get tickets. “Of course we’re not the only ones who want to enjoy the special spirit at away games.”

“It’s exciting to get to know other stadiums and other fans. The atmosphere in the standing areas is different, it’s more gigantic than at home,” says Dominik: “There’s even more solidarity, even better atmosphere, even more Mia san Mia, because we’re together in a small block. It’s a completely different experience.” The four prefer not to think about how much money they have invested in trips with FC Bayern, says Benni. “That’s not what it’s about. The experience of being there is so great – it’s simply worth it to us.”

The analysis of the match against Mönchengladbach: