Are Bayern Munich the Goalscoring Kings of Europe?

Bayern Munich are one of the most successful sides in European history, having won the Champions League six times. In more recent history, the competition has been dominated by Spanish and English teams, but that hasn’t stopped the German giants from consistently being one of the best sides in it.

After their breathtaking win over Dinamo Zagreb last night in the first round of fixtures, I decided to look back at three of their biggest wins in the competition in recent history.

Bayern Munich 7-1 Sporting Lisbon

In March 2009, Bayern were not in a particularly good place under the management of Jurgen Klinsmann yet they managed to smash Sporting Lisbon 12-1 over two legs. Having won the away leg of their Round of 16 tie 5-0, many expected the German boss to put out a second string team and rest his key players for the league, which was slipping away from them.

He did not and Bayern dominated from early on, with the first two goals of the game being scored by Lukas Podolski. An own goal and goals from Bastian Schweinsteiger, Mark van Bommel, Miroslav Klose and a 19-year-old Thomas Muller gave the hosts their impressive victory. Joao Moutinho scored from 25 yards before half time, but there was little celebration from the away fans.

Bayern faced eventual winners Barcelona in the next round and were expertly dispatched. This was one of the causes of Klinsmann’s eventual sacking as he was considered as a failure at the German club.

Tottenham Hotspur 2-7 Bayern Munich

Back in 2019/20 Bayern were incredible. In the group stage of that season, they scored 24 goals over six games, all of which they won. The most memorable from that group was their 7-2 away win over Tottenham.

Son Heung-Min actually gave the hosts the lead in that game, but it was quickly level again thanks to Joshua Kimmich. Robert Lewandowski scored his first just before half time and a second half masterclass from Serge Gnabry saw him score four times and give Bayern the win. Harry Kane scored a second half penalty and Lewandowski scored his second late on.

Tottenham did manage to qualify from the group but were knocked out by RB Leipzig in the next round, while Bayern continued their domination of teams as they progressed.

Bayern Munich 8-2 Barcelona

One of the other teams that they demolished in the 2019/20 Champions League campaign was Barcelona. Due to the COVID pandemic, Champions League games from the Quarter Finals onwards were played at a neutral venue over one leg.

it cant be overstated how bayern have put 7 past spurs, 7 past chelsea over two legs and 8 past barca tonight. Mental how they are the same team we sent out with a whimper last yearwhen they looked finished. Managers done wonders

— Sean (@SeanDOlfc) August 14, 2020

Bayern met Barca in the quarter final and were by far the better team. Despite having half of the possession, Barcelona fad just seven shots to Bayern’s 26. Muller, Ivan Perisic, Gnabry, Kimmich, Lewandowski and Phillipe Coutinho all scored for the German giants, with Coutinho playing against his parent club, as he was only at Bayern on loan.

Bayern would go on to win the whole competition, becoming the only team to do so with a 100% winning record. Barcelona meanwhile would go on to lose La Liga to Real Madrid and continue their European drought that has now lasted nine years.