FC Bayern München are in Champions League semi-final action against Atletico Madrid this evening (20:45 CEST). Today’s first-leg takes place in Spain, with the sides facing off in Munich next Tuesday (also 20:45 CEST). Spanish sides have knocked Pep Guardiola’s Bayern out at this stage in each of the last two seasons, will history repeat itself in 2015/16?
The Champions League used to be known as the European Cup and featured fewer teams, however, it remained just as challenging. Bayern are one of just two teams to win it on three consecutive occasions – Ajax are the other side to manage this. One of the Munich side’s heroes from 1974, 1975 and 1976, Frank Roth, turns 70 today and spoke to DFB.de ahead of tonight’s action.
The man for the decisive moments
Frank Roth netted the winner in three European finals – something which no one has been able to match. Alfredo Di Stefano scored goals in five finals for Real Madrid in the 1960s, however, not all of these sealed the success. Bayern, on the other hand, wouldn’t have bene triumphant without Roth’s goals. He also grabbed the winner as Bayern won the 1967 Cup Winners’ Cup against Rangers. Roth, who was 21 at the time, scored a stunning scissor kick in extra time saw the Bavarians lift the trophy.
“The first triumph was the most important one for me personally, as well as the club,” explained Roth when asked about European success, “120 channels showed the final in Europe and we suddenly became known across the globe.” He managed to claim the match ball as a souvenir and his teammates signed it for him. The autographs are fading but the memories remain fresh. He also received a replica of the trophy and a €3,5000 bonus, which may not sound like a lot these days, but was enough to make the players feel like royalty back then. Head coach Tschik Cajkovski called Roth a “king” after the match.
Schwarzenbeck forces a replay
Bayern didn’t reach another European final for seven years. In May 1974 they faced Atletico Madrid in European football’s showpiece event. The sides frew 1-1 in Brussels, with Georg "Katsche" Schwarzenbecks grabbing a dramatic equaliser. A replay was scheduled for two days later.
The German side capitalised on Spanish disappointment and ran out 4-0 winners. “Their moral was destroyed after the first game. It was clear that we had an advantage going into the replay.” Both Uli Hoeneß and Gerd Müller scored braces on that night .
FC Bayern München are in Champions League semi-final action against Atletico Madrid this evening (20:45 CEST). Today’s first-leg takes place in Spain, with the sides facing off in Munich next Tuesday (also 20:45 CEST). Spanish sides have knocked Pep Guardiola’s Bayern out at this stage in each of the last two seasons, will history repeat itself in 2015/16?
The Champions League used to be known as the European Cup and featured fewer teams, however, it remained just as challenging. Bayern are one of just two teams to win it on three consecutive occasions – Ajax are the other side to manage this. One of the Munich side’s heroes from 1974, 1975 and 1976, Frank Roth, turns 70 today and spoke to DFB.de ahead of tonight’s action.
The man for the decisive moments
Frank Roth netted the winner in three European finals – something which no one has been able to match. Alfredo Di Stefano scored goals in five finals for Real Madrid in the 1960s, however, not all of these sealed the success. Bayern, on the other hand, wouldn’t have bene triumphant without Roth’s goals. He also grabbed the winner as Bayern won the 1967 Cup Winners’ Cup against Rangers. Roth, who was 21 at the time, scored a stunning scissor kick in extra time saw the Bavarians lift the trophy.
“The first triumph was the most important one for me personally, as well as the club,” explained Roth when asked about European success, “120 channels showed the final in Europe and we suddenly became known across the globe.” He managed to claim the match ball as a souvenir and his teammates signed it for him. The autographs are fading but the memories remain fresh. He also received a replica of the trophy and a €3,5000 bonus, which may not sound like a lot these days, but was enough to make the players feel like royalty back then. Head coach Tschik Cajkovski called Roth a “king” after the match.
Schwarzenbeck forces a replay
Bayern didn’t reach another European final for seven years. In May 1974 they faced Atletico Madrid in European football’s showpiece event. The sides frew 1-1 in Brussels, with Georg "Katsche" Schwarzenbecks grabbing a dramatic equaliser. A replay was scheduled for two days later.
The German side capitalised on Spanish disappointment and ran out 4-0 winners. “Their moral was destroyed after the first game. It was clear that we had an advantage going into the replay.” Both Uli Hoeneß and Gerd Müller scored braces on that night .
Roth: "The competition loved me"
He opened the scoring in May 1975’s final as Bayern beat Leeds United in a brutal match. “It was great to win that game,” Roth explained. Victory that night was the perfect response to the dirty tactics employed by the English team. Gerd Müller grabbed a second late on. The Leeds supporters showed the Bayern players with seats as they completed their lap of honour.
Roth converted a free kick 12 months later as they beat AS St. Etienne in the final in Glasgow, a goal which capped off an incredible hat-trick and ensured that Bayern’s name would go down in European football history. The attacker has been unable to explain why he had such a good record in the tournament, instead claiming that “the competition loved me.”
"Strong defence facing a powerful attack"
Roth is looking forward to tonight’s match. “Two different systems come up against each other. A strong defence faces a powerful attack. We need to get a goal this evening because Atletico are impressive on the road. An away goal is crucial in my opinion.” The games promise to be exciting and bring back some excellent memories for an FC Bayern legend.
