The 2001 Champions League Final was a box office game for European football, it was at the beautiful San Siro last time they held a Champions League/ European Cup was 1969–70, eagerly awaited by fans worldwide. It featured a gripping showdown between Germany’s Bayern Munich and Spain’s Valencia, both powerhouse teams with remarkable histories. The anticipation was palpable as these giants clashed in Milan’s iconic San Siro stadium, vying for the prestigious Champions League title.
Champions League Background
Bayern Munich:
Bayern Munich has always been very good in European competitions, boasting past triumphs in the Champions League in 1974, 1975, 1976, and 1982. However, they had experienced heartbreak in recent years, particularly in the memorable 1999 final when they suffered a devastating loss to Manchester United.
Valencia:
Valencia, hailing from Spain, had established themselves as a formidable force in European football, though they were still in pursuit of their maiden Champions League title. Valencia reached the final in 2000–01 they met their Spainish rivals Real Madrid, they ultimately lost 3-0. This defeat fueled their desire to make amends and claim the coveted title. With a talented squad that included standout players like Gaizka Mendieta and Santiago Cañizares.
Their journeys to the Final
Bayern Munich’s Journey
Bayern Munich’s journey to the 2001 Champions League Final was marked by remarkable performances and strategic brilliance. They started their campaign in the third qualifying round with a convincing 4-1 aggregate win against Austria Tirol Innsbruck. As the group stage commenced, Bayern faced notable opponents, including Paris Saint-Germain, Helsingborgs IF, and Rosenborg. The team’s captain, Stefan Effenberg, provided leadership in midfield, while goalkeeper Oliver Kahn’s exceptional saves kept them competitive.
In the knockout phase Quarter-finals Bayern faced Manchester United this was a revenge or redemption game for the 99. The first leg ended 1-0 goal from Paulo Sérgio in Bayern’s favour 2nd leg Bayern beat Manchester United 2-1 at home, Hasan Salihamidžić and Owen Hargreaves stood out in these fixtures. In the semi-finals they beat Real Madrid, with Kahn’s heroic saves, particularly against Roberto Carlos, earning them a 3-1 aggregate victory. Throughout their journey, Bayern’s cohesion and resilience under manager Ottmar Hitzfeld shone.
Valencia’s Journey
Valencia’s path to the final was marked by determination and impressive teamwork. They began their journey in the group stage, where they topped Group A ahead of Manchester United, Sturm Graz, and Panathinaikos. Pablo Aimar’s creative playmaking and Santiago Cañizares’ reliable goalkeeping were instrumental during this phase. In the knockout rounds, Valencia faced tough challenges, starting with a quarter-final match against Arsenal. Rubén Baraja and John Carew played key roles in securing a semi-final spot with a 2-2 aggregate result.
In the semi-finals, Valencia faced Leeds United, where their strong defensive unit, led by Roberto Ayala, shone through with a 3-0 aggregate win. Gaizka Mendieta’s midfield control and Juan Sánchez’s attacking prowess were crucial. Valencia’s journey to the final was characterized by their resilience and unity under manager Héctor Cúper, who had experience in European competitions.
The Match
The Final’s Events: The 2001 Champions League Final was a gripping match that took place at San Siro in Milan, Italy. It began with an early twist when Valencia opened the scoring in just the 3rd minute. Gaizka Mendieta converted a penalty after Patrik Andersson was deemed to have handled the ball in Bayern Munich’s penalty area. This put Valencia ahead, sending their fans into jubilation.
Bayern Munich, however, responded with determination. They were awarded a penalty of their own shortly after, when Jocelyn Angloma fouled Stefan Effenberg in the penalty box. Santiago Cañizares, Valencia’s goalkeeper, displayed his skill by saving Mehmet Scholl’s penalty kick with his legs. This moment was a turning point, as Bayern aimed to equalize.
The second half saw another penalty awarded to Bayern Munich, this time after Amedeo Carboni handled the ball while competing for a header with Carsten Jancker. Stefan Effenberg stepped up and confidently took the penalty kick, sending Cañizares the wrong way to level the scores at 1-1.
With the scores tied at the end of normal time and no further goals in extra time, the match went to a penalty shoot-out, making it an “all-penalty” final. The tension was palpable as the fate of the Champions League hung in the balance.
The Penalty Shoot-out:The penalty shoot-out was filled with drama and showcased the talents of both goalkeepers, Santiago Cañizares and Oliver Kahn. Valencia took an early lead in the shoot-out as Paulo Sérgio missed Bayern’s first kick. However, Mendieta sent Valencia’s first kick over the bar, giving Bayern a lifeline.
The shoot-out continued with Hasan Salihamidžić, John Carew, and Alexander Zickler all scoring for their respective teams. Kahn then made a crucial save against Zlatko Zahovič’s kick to keep Bayern in the hunt.
As the shoot-out reached sudden death, both Rubén Baraja and Stefan Effenberg scored for their clubs. The tension escalated when Bixente Lizarazu and Kily González also scored their teams’ sixth kicks, leaving it at 4-4.
The pivotal moment came when Thomas Linke scored for Bayern, setting up Mauricio Pellegrino for the game-deciding kick for Valencia. In a thrilling climax, Kahn guessed the right direction and managed to save Pellegrino’s kick, securing a 5-4 penalty shoot-out victory for Bayern Munich.
Santiago Cañizares, despite being on the losing side, displayed remarkable goalkeeping skills throughout the match and the shoot-out, while Oliver Kahn’s heroics in the shoot-out earned him accolades and the UEFA Fair Play Award for consoling his heartbroken rival, Cañizares.
Catch you in the next one.