Bayern Munich’s domestic dominance is truly uncontested, with the side having won 10 consecutive Bundesliga titles since the beginning of 2012.
During the same period, however, Bayern have only won two UCL titles (and just one in the last nine years), despite being stewarded by some the world’s best managers and fielding a myriad of world class player including Arjen Robben, Robert Lewandowski, Manuel Neuer and Thiago.
Even ahead of the new season, Bayern are only third favourites to win the 2022/23 Champions League, at an average price of 6/1. While this may offer some value if you back the Bavarians to win after enabling the BC Game promo code, it suggests that Bayern still have a little more to do to translate their domestic dominance overseas.
In this post, we’ll look at Bayern’s summer transfer window, while asking whether they can end their nine-year UCL hiatus in 2022/23.
Bayern’s Recent Champions League Record
It was legendary manager Jupp Heynckes who led Bayern in 2012/13, when the side rose to the challenge posed by Borussia Dortmund and became the first German club team to win the treble of domestic league, domestic cup and Champions League.
During this season, Bayern achieved a Bundesliga record by earning 91 points, winning 29 of their 34 matches while drawing four and losing just one.
In the UCL, the side overcame a 2-0 home defeat in the second leg of a round of 16 tie against Arsenal to reach the quarter-finals, where dominant performance against Juventus and Barcelona enabled Bayern to reach the final against Dortmund at Wembley.
A 2-1 win followed thanks to Arjen Robben’s late goal, while the subsequent arrival of Pep Guardiola during the summer of 2013 threatened to precipitate a period of continental dominance.
However, despite winning three Bundesliga titles in three seasons during his time at Bayern, Pep never progressed beyond the semis in the UCL. In fact, he endured three bitterly disappointing semi-final defeats against Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid respectively, while subsequent managers Carlo Ancelotti and Niko Kovač also failed to win the ultimate European prize.
In fact, only Hansi Flick has won the UCL with Bayern since the departure of Heynckes in 2013, winning all 11 of their Champions League games while also achieving a coveted domestic treble in the process during 2019/20.
Can Julian Nagelsmann Buck the Recent Trend?
Bayern have clearly struggled to impose themselves in Europe in recent times, as current head coach Julian Nagelsmann will be bidding to reverse this trend as he starts his second season in Munich.
His charges flattered to deceive at times last season (both at home and abroad), with a slew of heavy wins offset by some striking defeats and a shock elimination at the hands of an organised Villareal side in the UCL quarter-finals.
Bayern’s attacking and high pressing game certainly exposed some weaknesses in the defence last season, and Nagelsmann has sought to correct this in part with the £60.30 million signing of 22-year-old Dutch centre back Matthijs de Ligt from Juventus.
The dynamic Noussair Mazraoui has also joined on a free transfer from Ajax, providing competition for French defender Benjamin Pavard and introducing a little more pace to cover defensive transitions.
Other signings include the midfield powerhouse Ryan Gravenberch for just £16.6 million (also from Ajax), while the addition of the rapid and versatile Sadio Mane for £28.8 million will also lend itself to a more flexible attacking line-up.
This is especially true given the departure of legendary striker Robert Lewandowski, and there’s no doubt that Nagelsmann is looking to craft a new-look side that can challenge in the UCL while maintaining the club’s dominance at home.
The Last Word
Ultimately, Bayern are desperate the translate their domestic success in Europe, with a return of two Champions League titles in 10 years disappointing given the strength of the playing squad and coaching staff during this time.
The addition of Mane and de Ligt definitely improve Bayern’s chances of succeeding at the highest level, while Mazraoui will also make the side a little vulnerable during defensive transitions.
The latter point is crucial, as Bayern struggled against well organised sides that were able to breach the side’s high line regularly during matches throughout 2021/22.
If these signings do perform well and the club can adapt to life with the legendary Lewandowski, Bayern could offer considerable value to win the UCL at a price of 6/1.
