![]() The idea of a left-footed winger cutting in from the right onto their stronger foot and looking to shoot is now referred to by many as the “Robben”. Despite what could be described as a simple style of play, the Dutchman has made it his own. Instated as captain, Breitner added two more Bundesliga titles before his playing career drew to a close in 1983.Ī player who arrived in Munich with a reputation as one of Europe’s most talented wingers after spells across the continent, Robben found a home for himself at Bayern and is now in his ninth season at the club. Adding another top-flight title prior to leaving Madrid, the 1974 FIFA World Cup and 1972 European champion with Germany returned to Bayern via Eintracht Braunschweig in 1978. In the first of two spells with the Bavarian giants, Breitner won three of his five Bundesliga titles, the first of two DFB Cups and the 1974 European Cup.Ī hugely publicised switch to Real Madrid followed, with Breitner successfully moving into midfield and winning a league and cup double in his first season in Spain. The man with the famous beard debuted for Bayern as a mere teenager at 18, playing a full-back role that is more akin to the modern-day version, combining speed down the flanks with accurate crossing. © imago / Kicker/Eissner, Liedel Paul BreitnerĪ controversial character off the field in his day, Breitner was one of the world’s best players on it. Paul Breitner (r.) in action against Eintracht Braunschweig in 1980. Twice a European Player of the Year, Beckenbauer later held posts as Bayern president and advisor to the board. The FIFA World Cup and European Championship winning captain with West Germany later moved into management, and after guiding his country to a 1990 World Cup win, enjoyed two brief stints as a coach at Bayern that garnered one more Bundesliga title and the 1996 UEFA Cup. Having captained the men in red to their first Bundesliga title in 1969, Beckenbauer’s name became synonymous with success during a run of three successive top-flight championship wins between 1972 and ’74, and a hat-trick of back-to-back European Cup wins between 1974 and ’76. Beckenbauer took his first steps in the game as an 1860 Munich striker and then midfielder, before inventing the role of libero (sweeper) at Bayern. One year later he even led Germany to World Cup glory in Brazil before seeing out his career with a record-equalling eight Bundesliga titles, six DFB Cups and that famous Champions League triumph.Įvery bit the Bayern and Germany legend, the man known the world over as, Der Kaiser – or The Emperor – was there at the beginning in terms of the Bavarians’ current day Bundesliga dominance. The first and so far only Bayern captain to win the coveted treble of Bundesliga, DFB Cup and Champions League, Lahm’s place in club history is secured. ![]() Rarely injured, he was an all but permanent fixture in the Bavarians’ team following his return from a two-year loan at Stuttgart, including a spell between April 2009 and September 2011 when he featured in every minute of Bundesliga action for the club, having seen off challenges from other legendary full-backs Willy Sagnol and the club’s current sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic.ĭescribed by coach Pep Guardiola as “the most intelligent player I’ve ever worked with”, Lahm wasn’t just versatile, playing regularly at both right-back, left-back and in central midfield, but masterful in whatever position he was asked to play in. ![]() Yet he is more popularly known as “ Der Titan” (“The Titan”) for his formidable presence both on and off the pitch, never afraid to have a “quiet” word with opponents and teammates alike.Ī Munich boy through and through, Lahm had been at Bayern since the age of 11 until his retirement in 2017. To date the only goalkeeper in history to be awarded the Golden Ball for best player at a FIFA World Cup (in 2002), Kahn - frequently referred to as “King Kahn” - was a giant of the German game famed for his shot-stopping, distribution and overall command of his box. In a poll run by Bayern in 2005, fans picked the latter, but Kahn was still playing at the time – and being coached by mentor Maier.ĭespite Maier being a one-club man, it is still Kahn who holds the club’s record for appearances (632 – 31 more than Maier) and on his retirement in 2008 was named Bayern’s honorary club captain, which is why he wears the armband in this team. ![]() Yet there are many Bayern fans of a certain age who remember both him and Sepp Maier between the sticks in Munich and are torn between their pair. With eight Bundesliga titles, six DFB Cups, a UEFA Cup and a Champions League winner’s medal to his name, many would be forgiven for thinking this position was a formality for Kahn. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |