FC Bayern Munich redefined football excellence, capturing the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal and UEFA Champions League trophy with unparalleled grace and dominance. They broke many records along the way, under the astute leadership Jupp Heynckes and with star players like Mandžukić, Robben, Ribéry and Thomas Müller.
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Munich Transfers In and Out
The transfer tango of the 2012-2013 season for FC Bayern Munich was nothing short of a riveting saga. Munich brought Xherdan Shaqiri from Basel for a princely sum of €9 million was an audacious stroke, injecting youth into the squad. Claudio Pizarro arrived from Werder Bremen as a free agent, added a touch of wily experience. The enigmatic Dante procured from Borussia Mönchengladbach for €4.5 million, proved to be a defensive cornerstone. The €13.5 million Mario Mandžukić arrived from VfL Wolfsburg, adding goals to the team. The final piece was €40 million splurge on Javi Martínez from Athletic Bilbao. On the departure front, Breno, Olić and Pranjić bid adieu as their contract ended, and Nils Petersen went on a loan to Werder Bremen for €500,000.
Bundesliga Domination
The Bundesliga in the 2012-2013 season Bayern Munich’s footballing symphony, an orchestration of brilliance that left fans bedazzled. The Bavarian behemoths clinched the Bundesliga crown with an unparalleled dominance, recording 29 wins, just a solitary loss, and 4 draws. They managed to score 98 goals, the backline conceded a mere 18 goals, exhibiting defensive fortitude. Mario Mandžukić, the Croatian maestro, enchanted with his 15-goal wizardry, while Thomas Müller’s 13 goals were a masterstroke. The irrepressible Ribéry found the net ten times, a testament to his artistry. The midfield luminary, Schweinsteiger, chipped in with 7 goals, epitomizing versatility. With Neuer’s shot-stopping heroics, Dante’s defensive elegance, and Boateng’s steadfastness, the defensive brigade held fort. These titans, along with Müller, amassed over 2000 minutes in the Bundesliga, embodying unwavering commitment to the cause.
Bayern faced their rivals Borussia Dortmund on December 1, 2012 and the match ended in a 1-1 bore draw. Munich demolished Hamburger SV with a stunning 9-2 victory on March 30, 2013. This showed how dominance they were at that time. On May 18, 2013 they played Borussia Mönchengladbach away, Munich was 2-0 down in 4mins Martínez pulled one back making it 2-1, then Nordtveit scored for gladbach 3-1, Ribéry then pegged one back making it 3-2 all this was before half time, second half Ribéry and Robben scored, the game finished 3-4 to munich. This was probably one of the best games for natural alot of backwards,forwards and goals. Bayern had a good season with 91 points in 34 games and a goal difference of +80. Mario Gómez scored 11 goals in 877 mins shows how deadly he was in front of goal.
DFB-Pokal Victory
DFB-Pokal, one pivotal moment that will forever stay in memory of their fans was their triumph in the quarter-finals. Facing the formidable Borussia Dortmund, it was a fierce battle under the Munich lights. The stadium nervous until the 43rd min when Arjen Robben delivered a mesmerizing strike that found the back of the net, sending the Bayern faithful into euphoria. Despite a few yellow cards brandished, the Bayern spirit prevailed, and they emerged victorious with a slender 1-0 victory.
Bayern Munich met VfB Stuttgart in the final, where they exhibited sheer determination and finesse. The atmosphere was electric as the clock ticked, and the match intensified. Thomas Müller converted a penalty in the 37th minute, calming the nervous of the Munich fans. Mario Gómez show how deadly he is, scored important goals in the 48th and 61st mins, sending Bayern fans crazy. Schweinsteiger got a yellow card in the 50th min. As the minutes dwindled, Stuttgart fought back valiantly, with Martin Harnik netting in the 71st and 80th minutes the game finished 3-2 to Bayern.
Bayern Munich UEFA Champions League Glory
Bayern Munich was incredible during their Champioin League run, they lost 2 and drew only once. In the group stage, they showed why they were considered favourites to win the tournament by beating Lille 6-1, Schweinsteiger, Pizarro, and Robben scored leaving spectators in awe. The group stage ended with Bayern top with 15 goals 7 conceded +8 in goal differences and 13 points.
As they entered the knockout phase, Bayern faced Arsenal, where the clash at Emirates Stadium was a fierce battle. Bayern secured a 3-1 wins away from home, goals from Kroos and Müller, the 2nd legs Munich lost for the 2nd and final time 0–2 at home to Arsenal, goals from Giroud and Koscielny for Arsenal, Bayern went thru to the next round by away goals. In Quarter-finals Bayern Munich met Juventus, lets be real Munich won both leg easily 2-0 both legs sealing their passage to the semi-finals. Barcelona was up next, this was against Vilanova not Guardiola Barca, Bayern dominated and humiliated home and away 4-0 and 3-0, Muller and Robben both got 2 goals in them games.
The final showdown, who would of thought it would be an all German battle for the biggest trophy, UEFA Champsions League, it was held at Wembley Stadium with 86,000 fan watching, the games started very tense you can feel the atmosphere very nervous, Dortmund had a very good 30 mins, Dante was booked during this time and Neuer was forced into making some saves too. You should always try to score when you are dominating, Bayern made some chances but not clear cut. In the 2nd half Bayern scored in 60th min Mandžukić opened the scoreline, assisted by Robben. Dante gave away a pen and Gündoğan stepped up and scored, now its levelled. On the 89 min Ribery with audacious backheel around the pen area, Robben with his first touch went past 2 dortmund players, and he put the ball past Weidenfeller to seal the win. Now the Germany Champions and now Champions of Europe.
Style of play
Under Jupp Heynckes Bayern Munich would dominated possesion but during Champions League they would give up some possesion to keep their shape, Neuer would help with the build up play, at times when they couldnt play out from the back, Munich would go long and hit Mandžukić, he was a attacker in the air and with his chest, very good at holding the ball. Alaba and Lahm would drop and be available for short balls, most of the time Bayern would try to play thru the middle with Schweinsteiger and Martínez both are great on the ball, Martínez/Kroos was likely to drop deep making it back 3 if the 2 centre backs was pressed. Schweinsteiger was super important to this team, he was a creative outlet, avaerages the most passes per game.
Bayern loved using the width in the attacking phase, Schweinsteiger would spary long balls to either Ribery or Robben to get them isolated with their defender, Schweinsteiger, Muller or Kroos would push up so their back 4 would have to stay narrow, meaning the wide areas has the most space, Robben more often or not would come in from right and shoot with his left foot, Ribery would come in onto his right foot and try to link up with other players, he is more comfortable go on to his weaker left foot and cutting it back. The wingers was always supported by the fullbacks to overlap them. Mandžukić would often drop to the left pulling a central defender out or being free, leaving space for Muller.
Catch you in the next one.