My father once told me what it was like: when Bayern lost a lot. 0: 7 against Schalke, 1: 7 against Düsseldorf. 1976 and 1978. More than 40 years ago.
It sounded like one of Grandpa’s stories from the war. Memories in black and white.
Five pieces. Bavaria. Something like that doesn’t happen! Like Easter and Christmas in one day.
Wednesday was such a day. A holiday for me. 0: 5.
Bayern have never lost so much in the cup before. Seldom have I laughed so heartily in front of the television.
I know: malice makes ugly. But it felt so good.
It has built up a bit over the past four decades. The oppressive superiority, the ruin of the opponents, first Werder, then Dortmund, now Leipzig. The big boredom in German football.
Everything has become so expectable. 18 clubs play for the championship, and in the end Bayern always win. Nine titles in a row and the trophy five times.
And then suddenly they are mortal after all.
How I enjoyed looking at these faces. Goretzka. Gnabry. Kimmich. Upamecano, who goes to the ball about as resolutely as old people to the edge of the platform. There was no anger on those faces. There was helplessness. It was wonderful!
And then Gladbach, of all things!
The big rival from the 70s (deep in the last century, dear children). Who has been stumbling through the league so far.
They played Bayern like a school team, like the traditional Uwe Seeler team. That’s what Franz Beckenbauer called Bayern when they lost 3-0 to Lyon. 2001, also 20 years ago. They then won the Champions League. This was the level at which Säbener Strasse complained for 40 years.
Of course there were slip-ups, also in the cup. Does anyone out there remember Weinheim, Vestenbergsgreuth? So long ago that the clubs no longer exist.
For the first time I miss Uli Hoeneß. I would have liked to see him in the stands, in close-up, at prime time, his face somewhere between crimson and vermilion.
Bayern are the ones who always humiliate everyone.
As a Schalke player, I haven’t only known that since 2001. But that’s not the point today.
Today it’s about football Germany being allowed to scoff at Bayern Munich. Seldom enough happens.
To all Bayern fans who are angry now: A whole new feeling for you, right? Loosen up. In the end you will become masters again. Cup winners not, hihi.
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