In the 125-year history of FC Bayern, there have been many events without which the fortunes of the German record champions might have taken a different turn. For example, the legendary ‘Watschn’ (face-slap) that convinced the young Franz Beckenbauer in the 1950s to become a ‘Red’ rather than a ‘Blue’. There was also ‘Katsche’ Schwarzenbeck's last-minute equaliser in the 1974 European Cup final against Atlético Madrid - but also the sale of the then 28-year-old exceptional striker Karl-Heinz Rummenigge to Inter Milan ten years later.
That may sound strange at first, as Bayern lost one of the best goalscorers of the era in the two-time Ballon d'Or winner (1980 & 1981) in the summer of 1984. However, the financial situation forced the general manager at the time, Uli Hoeneß, to act: The star striker moved to Serie A for the second-highest transfer fee ever paid up to that point, allowing for the restructuring of his previous employer. In one fell swoop, FCB was debt-free - and remains so to this day, as Hoeneß later explained. Of course, Rummenigge also benefitted from the transfer, experienced the dolce vita in the south and, thanks to his three years in Italy, became the man of the world who still has a major influence on football today.
Clash of two top teams
When FC Bayern and Inter Milan meet in the last eight of the Champions League, there will be two hearts beating in Rummenigge's chest: "For me personally, it would have been the ideal final because I'm close to both clubs. I'm sorry that one of them will end up being knocked out." Until then, however, both teams will put up a great fight, the 69-year-old believes: "They'll be two tough games, there's no need to beat about the bush. They're both top-class teams."
„We simply have to try to play at the same level as we did in those two games against Leverkusen. Then we'll have a chance.”
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge
Rummenigge doesn't want to say who will ultimately win the race: "No-one need think we're the favourites. We're not,” warns the former long-serving FC Bayern CEO, who keeps a close eye on the performance of his former clubs: "It's no coincidence that Inter played Manchester City in the Champions League final a few years ago and had City on the brink of defeat back then." Bayern will therefore "have to have two top days, here in Munich and then a week later in the second leg in Milan, to reach the big target, the semi-finals."
Inter's defensive bulwark
Rummenigge has great respect for the Italian side's back line in particular: "Inter have a terrific defence, their defence deserves an A*." The reigning Italian champions have conceded just two goals in their ten matches so far in this Champions League campaign and have kept a clean sheet eight times - both of which are by far the best stats in the current competition. Nevertheless, Rummenigge believes Bayern will be able to overcome this bulwark. "You can crack any defence" - if the performance is right, says Rummenigge, recalling Bayern's strong performances in the round of 16 against Bayer 04 Leverkusen: "We simply have to try to play at the level we did in those two games. Then we'll have a chance."
According to Rummenigge, however, the Nerazzurri are not just good at defending. They also have a top-class attack, with Argentinian World Cup winner Lautaro Martínez and former Bundesliga striker Marcus Thuram. Bayern may have the advantage in midfield, where “we're a little more dominant’', says the current member of the FC Bayern supervisory board, but the Italians still have one trump card up their sleeve: “We have to try and get a decent result in the first leg, because the San Siro will be at boiling point in Milan.”
Rummenigge hasn't yet decided whether he'll travel to the venerable Giuseppe Meazza Stadium. He said he would only decide after the first leg whether he would join the Bavarian entourage to Milan. The trip to the north of Italy would definitely be worthwhile - because one thing is already clear: it will certainly have a major impact on the story of Bayern's season.
Rummenigge has been awarded lifelong UEFA honorary membership:
Topics of this article