Bayern Munich’s Ten European Cup Finals: History in the Champions League

If Bayern Munich defeats Lyon, the German club will advance to its eleventh European final, equaling the all-time tally held by Milan.

When discussing Bayern Munich and its Champions League legacy, one must stand back and acknowledge a club that isn’t just any ordinary team. It is a central figure in Europe’s premier club competition. With five titles to its name, Bayern has contested ten finals, a record only surpassed by Milan with eleven appearances and Real Madrid with sixteen.

During the 2019/20 season, Bayern Munich reached the semi-finals in Lisbon. A victory over Lyon would set up a title match against Paris Saint-Germain, which had eliminated RB Leipzig on the path to the final.

Below is a detailed overview of Bayern Munich’s ten finals in the competition, a balanced record of five wins and five defeats, reflecting a storied and dramatic history at Europe’s biggest stage.

1973/74 Bayern Munich 1-1 Club Atletico Madrid; 4-0 tiebreaker

A year when Germany claimed the World Cup, Bayern boasted a squad loaded with internationals. Luis Aragonés found the net with six minutes remaining, but a last-gasp equalizer from Georg Schwarzenbeck forced extra time and a decisive 4-0 victory crowned Bayern champions in the replayed decider.

1974/75 Bayern Munich 2-0 Leeds United

Despite a Bundesliga campaign that saw them finish tenth, Bayern swept to European glory in the final. The goals came from Franz Roth and Gerd Müller, the latter adding to his tally after a prolific previous final, reinforcing Bayern’s growing European pedigree.

1975/76 Bayern 1 – 0 Saint Etienne

Joining the ranks of Real Madrid and Ajax as three-time champions, Bayern entered the select group after a hard-fought final that left Saint Etienne empty-handed. The triumph cemented Bayern’s status among Europe’s elite.

1981/82 Aston Villa 1-0 Bayern Munich

In a final where Bayern were the favourites, the German giants were edged out by a debuting Aston Villa side, whose surge in the match surprised many observers and denied Bayern the trophy in a tight, tense encounter.

1986/87 Porto 2-1 Bayern Munich

Porto started strong and looked on course for defeat, but the Portuguese side mounted a late comeback. Bayern’s momentum waned as Porto captured the prize in a dramatic finish that kept fans on the edge of their seats.

1998/99 Manchester United 2-1 Bayern Munich

One of the competition’s most memorable finales unfolded as Bayern seemed poised to claim a fourth title. Mario Basler opened the scoring, yet two stoppage-time goals from Manchester United, delivered by Sheringham and Solskjær, flipped the result and rewrote history in the dying moments.

2000/01 Bayern Munich 1-1 Valencia (5-4 on penalties)

The match began with Bayern trailing after a Mendieta penalty, and a missed spot kick by Scholl nearly sealed their fate. Bayern equalized through Stefan Effenberg, and then Oliver Kahn became the hero, saving penalties and guiding his side through a nerve-wracking shootout to lift the trophy for Bayern.

2009/10 Inter 2-0 Bayern Munich

In their first final in nine years, Van Gaal’s Bayern faced a burning Inter side at the Bernabéu, who seized the moment with Diego Milito’s masterful performance. The Italian club’s dominance proved too much for the German team that day, leaving Inter with a memorable triumph.

2011/12 Chelsea 1-1 Bayern Munich (4-3 on penalties)

With the burden of expectation heavy on Bayern’s shoulders in Munich, Thomas Müller gave the Bavarians a late lead. Didier Drogba then stepped up to become the hero, converting in the shootout to bring the trophy back to London and deny Bayern a fifth European crown.