📆 Bayern's last DFB-Pokal final: what the world looked like then!

It’s hard to believe. But it’s been quite a while since FC Bayern last made it to a DFB Cup final.

With yesterday’s 2-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen, the Munich side ended their drought and booked their place in the final in Berlin for the first time in a full six years. For large parts of the squad, this is completely uncharted territory. 

Because the last time the German record champions battled for the second-biggest title in German club football at the Olympiastadion, only Manuel Neuer, Sven Ulreich, Alphonso Davies, Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka, Serge Gnabry and Jamal Musiala from the current squad were in the lineup. Goretzka was also noticeably more muscular back then.

📸 Alexander Hassenstein - 2020 Getty Images

More specifically, we’re talking about July 4, 2020. The reason that final took place so unusually late in the year was the COVID-19 pandemic. The match was played around six weeks behind schedule in front of empty stands.

But the world outside the Olympiastadion was completely different too. Angela Merkel was Chancellor of Germany. The development of a coronavirus vaccine was still in its infancy. Apache 207’s song "Bläulich" was sitting at number one in the German singles chart.

A look at the pitch is just as worthwhile: FCB were coached by treble-winning manager Hansi Flick. Among those lacing up their boots were Benjamin Pavard, David Alaba, Thiago Alcantara and Robert Lewandowski. Ivan Perišić and Philippe Coutinho were also playing for FCB.

📸 Alexander Hassenstein - 2020 Getty Images

Meanwhile, opponents Bayer Leverkusen had star names like Kai Havertz, Kevin Volland and the young Florian Wirtz on the pitch. The Bender twins were still active as well. But none of it helped. Against a superb Munich side, the Werkself came up short in a 4-2 defeat. 

Six years later, coach Vincent Kompany’s men are in similarly outstanding form. Harry Kane and Co. are desperate to repeat the 2020 triumph in a few weeks’ time. They will face either SC Freiburg or VfB Stuttgart. 

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.