Bayern Munich vs. Manchester United

Bukman13

^^^

Party like it's 1999: We reveal the secrets of the night Manchester United made history against Bayern Munich


To many people, it was the most dramatic three minutes in the history of the game. Manchester United's incredible injury-time comeback to beat Bayern Munich 2-1 in the Champions League Final, or Barcelona '99 as it simply became known. As the clubs prepare to meet again in Germany tonight, some of the key figures involved in the drama relive their memories of that night...
Manchester United

Comeback kings: Fergie celebrates with his stars as they lift the European Cup.

DAVID BECKHAM
David Beckham

I'll never forget what the gaffer said to us just before we went up the tunnel to play in the biggest game of our lives. 'Trust me, you don't want to have to walk past the European Cup at the end of the game. Not being able to pick it up would be the most painful thing you'll ever feel in football. Make sure you don't end up having to just look at the trophy, not able to touch it, knowing you had the chance to win the thing, but then let that chance pass you by.'

I don't know how much the boss's warning helped to focus us on what we had to do. What I know for sure is every word he said about the pain and disappointment was true. We didn't have to endure it - we just looked at the Bayern players when they went to get their losers' medals. Some of them glanced at the trophy, sitting there, waiting for United, and you could see in their eyes that they were devastated. Most of them couldn't even bring themselves to lift their heads and look.

MARIO BASLER
Bayern Munich scorer

We had two players in the wall for my free-kick and Peter Schmeichel couldn't see very well. He guessed the wrong way and I spotted that he was moving to his right so I put it the other way and he saw the ball too late. At half-time manager Ottmar Hitzfeld spoke to us quietly. We knew were better than United in the first half and I said to Stefan Effenberg that if we played the same in the second 45 minutes then we'd win.

It was a very different atmosphere to our dressing-room after the game when no-one said a word for at least 15 minutes. We had four or five big chances, a lot more than United.

I saw Schmeichel off his line and shot just over, and then my 60-yard solo run set up Mehmet Scholl who chipped the keeper and hit a post. Carsten Jancker hit the bar as well. We could have won by two or three but instead we went to sleep in the last few minutes. It was the biggest game of my career and the biggest disappointment - I really hope Bayern take revenge.
Mario Basler

1-0: Mario Basler fires his free-kick past the United wall to put Bayern in front.

CLIVE TYLDESLEY
ITV commentator

I don't know why I said the words: 'Can Manchester United score? They always score'. Hopefully, it captured everything that United had done that season - that somehow it was meant to be.

It's really flattering that some consider my commentary to be in some small way part of their enjoyment of that night, and yet 80 per cent of the criticism that comes my way concerns my calling of that game. United's ultimate triumph is the ultimate defeat for fans of their greatest rivals, that's the tribal nature of football. I'm aware some viewers will be holding a party because I'm not involved in this one.

About 20 million was the audience for the climax and up to that point there'd only been one goal and I'd called it wrong. I said Basler's free-kick was deflected but it wasn't.

Five minutes before the equaliser there were the first signs of United coming to life and Ron Atkinson said: 'If they get one here, they'll go on to win it'.

If I did anything well, I managed to shut up between the ball going in the net and the next thing I said - a couple of seconds to come up with a phrase to capture the moment. Sir Alex Ferguson has my match notes framed on his wall at Carrington. They're terribly neat and in three different colours. If a psychiatrist saw them, he'd take me away and put me in a cell next to Motty.

TEDDY SHERINGHAM
Scored the equaliser


I was upset when the manager told me I wouldn't start. I wanted to play a part and I wanted to be the hero. I remember Sir Alex coming up to me at half-time and saying, 'I'm going to keep it the same but make sure you're ready because, if it stays like this for 10 or 15 minutes, you're going to be coming on'. I didn't want our team to score. I wanted the team to stay 1-0 down so I'd have a chance to play in the final.

I didn't realise it was so near the end until I saw Peter Schmeichel coming up for the corner, then I knew there could not be long left. [Three minutes of added time had just been shown]. The ball went to Giggsy, he scuffed his shot and it came my way. I knew I was onside because they had a fella on the line. He ran out, so when the ball came to me it looked like I was offside but I knew I wasn't - but I still checked with the linesman.

DAVE FEVRE
United physio

Steve McClaren spoke to the gaffer about subs for extra-time but the gaffer wasn't thinking about that. He thought we could get a winner. You never underestimate him. We were going through the team, getting the drinks ready and working out who needed a massage, when we scored the second. I'll never experience it again. The trophy was next to us with Bayern ribbons on it and we didn't think anything would change that.

OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER
Scored the winner

I couldn't sleep in the afternoon because Jaap Stam was snoring so loudly in the next bed. I phoned my best friend who worked in a hospital in Norway to check if he would be watching on TV. He said he had to leave 15 minutes before the end because he was working nights, but I told him to get someone to fill in, to watch right to the end. I had this feeling something big was going to happen to me. It's hard to explain. I just had a premonition I was going to do something that night.

At half-time, the manager had a little chat with Teddy Sheringham. I was hoping he'd come over to me, but he didn't. In the second half, I was just waiting for the nod. I was warming up, waiting to catch his eye. I was thinking: 'Why don't you put me on?' When Teddy scored everyone ran over to him to celebrate except for me. I ran straight back to the halfway line because I was concentrating on playing half an hour of extra-time in a Champions League Final.

I thought, 'this is going to be something I'm going to savour'. But I ruined that! Ninety-nine times out of 100, my goal would have gone into the hands of Oliver Kahn or on the head of the guy on the line. I can't remember what I was thinking when it went in. I was just sliding, celebrating. Afterwards, I couldn't understand the impact of it all. You never think about the consequences it will have for so many people.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer


PIERLUIGI COLLINA
Referee

It was the most dramatic three minutes of my career. Unbelievable. I still watch the DVD . The atmosphere was fantastic. If you looked at the stands, it was just one black wave of 90,000 people moving on three floors.

I will always remember it for different reasons: first, the reaction of the United fans when they scored the second goal - it was an incredible noise, like a lion's roar.

Then there was the reaction of the Bayern players - their disappointment as they fell down on the pitch after conceding that goal. The contrasting reactions of happiness and sadness, and the sad eyes of Lothar Matthaus when he looked at the trophy. Unforgettable.

LOTHAR MATTHAUS

It was a spectacular game and we had chances to win it but that's football. I don't like to look back because it was a very bad experience. English people like to speak about the past, they like to talk about 1966 and they're still discussing it after 40-odd years, but in Germany we speak about the future. You can't change anything.

I'll be there on Tuesday and it will be an open game between two very good teams. Bayern are top in Germany and United are top in England. I'm ex-Bayern, and I'm German so I want them to win but it will not change 1999.
David May

DAVID MAY

I saw the trophy on a chair and thought, 'I'm having that'. So I picked it up, and the rest is history. I ended up in half the pictures. Although I didn't play in the final, I was proud of my contribution to the Treble. I've been criticised for getting in the trophy photos and part of me regrets doing it. But then another part of me thinks, 'f*** 'em'. What would people do in the same circumstances?

The lads joked about it. I didn't kick a ball in Europe all season, so the medal doesn't mean anything to me. The party afterwards was a brilliant night. Simon Le Bon couldn't get in and Ryan Giggs had a fight with Martin Edwards' son and sparked him. I could relive that night every other night for the rest of my life.

Daily Mail.

3hn2givr7mx1sc

That video has really got me in the mood for this game. Cannot wait now!:D

keane2097

Bukman13 wrote: »

^^^



Daily Mail.

Great post.

I lol'd at everyone have a tagline to go with their name except for:

DAVID BECKHAM
David Beckham

ctrl-alt-delete

"well what must lothar Matthaus be thinking"

"well with the greatest respect who cares"

Classic

Still Unbelievable watching it now , some excitement like that would be great tonight!

NeVeR

Hey... where can you listen to the match online ?... I cant watch it.. but can listen lol..

Any links would be great.

kryogen

Just notived Van Bommel is on a yellow card = suspension dealy

he is a racing certainty not to be playing in OT so!

would be good news

kryogen

for anyone interested, ESPN are showing Bayern V Stuttgart right now, on till 7 which takes us nicely into the coverage!

starbelgrade

kryogen wrote: »

for anyone interested, ESPN are showing Bayern V Stuttgart right now, on till 7 which takes us nicely into the coverage!

I'll be having my dinner soon & then watching the 2nd half of the final in Barcelona as a build up. I've watched it so many times, the tape is nearly worn out!

ROCKMAN

Vidic one booking away from missing return leg
Call me sceptic but
Watch Bayern target him

3hn2givr7mx1sc

Coverage on MUTV now.:D
Must be very emotional for Bobby Charlton.

Headshot

cant believe your sig was to big rockman, i see who reported too, not surprised btw

anyway I cant wait for this match, pity it's not on RTE but at least iv sky sports, cant bare listening & watching that crap of channel they call TV3

ROCKMAN

Headshot wrote: »

cant believe your sig was to big rockman, i see who reported too, not surprised btw

anyway I cant wait for this match, pity it's not on RTE but at least iv sky sports, cant bare listening & watching that crap of channel they call TV3

What, reported

pm me please.

Bukman13

Team:

Van der Sar

Neville
Vidic
Ferdinand
Evra

Scholes
Fletcher
Carrick
Park
Nani

Rooney.


Robben ain't even on the bench.

redout

ROCKMAN

Bukman13 wrote: »

Team:

Van der Sar

Neville
Vidic
Ferdinand
Evra

Scholes
Fletcher
Carrick
Park
Nani

Rooney.


Robben ain't even on the bench.

No Valencia hmm
No Robben can't say I'm not happy

kryogen

Headshot wrote: »

cant believe your sig was to big rockman, i see who reported too, not surprised btw

anyway I cant wait for this match, pity it's not on RTE but at least iv sky sports, cant bare listening & watching that crap of channel they call TV3

how could you see who reported the sig?

pm me also please!

Mitch Connor

ROCKMAN wrote: »

No Valencia hmm
No Robben can't say I'm not happy

very disappointed that Valencia is not starting. Hopefully we'll have Nani on the right in this case, so that his crosses can come in quickly. I imagine it will depend on what side Ribery is on though, with Park being on that side too.

Bukman13

Park on the left to combat Lamh I reckon.

Nani up against Badstuber will be interesting, especially since Ribery will not provide much help.

Spud83

Very surprised with Valencia not playing. Happy enough with the midfield but scholes is a surprise.

Wonder what sides Park and Nani will operate on. Park may be deployed on the right to double up on Ribery.

kryogen

there is a distinct lack of Valencia in that team tbh

wish he had been playing instead of Carrick and shift Park in the middle, but maybe Nani's trickery will do the job

Mitch Connor

kryogen wrote: »

there is a distinct lack of Valencia in that team tbh

wish he had been playing instead of Carrick and shift Park in the middle, but maybe Nani's trickery will do the job

agree completely - I would have gone with the same side that played vs Milan.

Valencia does he defensive work so he would have tracked his fullback as well. He was also benched for the Milan away game, maybe Fergie isn't sure of using him in big Euro away games due to lack of experience?

kryogen

it can be the only reason i can think of tbh

Headshot

shocked val isnt playing, he wouldnt be brilliant on the counter attacking with his speed

Bukman13

Headshot wrote: »

shocked val isnt playing, he wouldnt be brilliant on the counter attacking with his speed

Its the same midfield that played in the arsenal 3-1 game... Our counter attacking football that day was class.

3hn2givr7mx1sc

Cannot wait.:D

Cans in fridge.
Chinese ordered.
Big fire going.
Sitting in the good seat.
All to do now is just wait for the match to start.:D

kryogen

and try make it through 45 minutes of Redknapp/Gullit and Andy Gray waffle

toughest part of the night tbh

3hn2givr7mx1sc

kryogen wrote: »

and try make it through 45 minutes of Redknapp/Gullit and Andy Gray waffle

toughest part of the night tbh

MUTV, best purchase ever for nights like this.:D

Spiritoftheseventies

Shame Robben is missing

bernardo mac

BBC5 live.On at the moment

TheMilkyPirate

I'm going for 2-0 united

kryogen

Spiritoftheseventies wrote: »

Shame Robben is missing

why? you a bayern munich fan now?

surely as a pool fan you would be happy to see us progress here and have to play more games which might impact on our attempt to eclipse liverpools domestic league title record?

NeVeR

baz2009 wrote: »

Cannot wait.:D

Cans in fridge.
Chinese ordered.
Big fire going.
Sitting in the good seat.
All to do now is just wait for the match to start.:D

POWER CUT lol... just kidding.

kryogen

Rooney

18 goals in his last 14 games

that is seriously imprresive

eZe^

Archimedes wrote: »

It's also slightly annoying how dismissive people were of United's achievement against Milan. Sure, they're no world beaters anymore, but to go to one of the most daunting stadiums in Europe and get the result we did, followed by the mauling we gave them back home, we should have been given more credit. People seemed to be jumping on the Barcelona bandwagon instead, who struggled to get a draw in Stuttgart and did nothing more exceptional than we did in the home leg too. The yearning for another final showdown with Barcelona is probably another factor too, and the fact that it's now possible because of the draw has probably increased that excitement. No disrespect to them, they were deserved winners last year and outplayed us thoroughly - but that was not the Man Utd us fans were used to seeing. We were robbed of a player in Darren Fletcher who I firmly believe makes us tick more than any other - there's only so much the likes of Rooney and Ronaldo could have done so much, that game was all about the midfield battle, especially considering the Barcelona midfield we were up against. The fact that Im saying missing Fletcher was the difference in a midfield battle up against Xavi and Iniesta show's how highly he is regarded at United now. But I'm not crying injustice, because the players out there should have done better but they completely misrepresented themselves, and almost every one of them were poor. Again, no disrespect to Barcelona, but it wasn't just because they were better, it was a combination of them being better and too many of our players having an off day.

Hahah ya mate, you were the only team without first choice players. What about Barca having back 4 with only one of them in his favoured positions. We had neither of our 1st choice full backs, and ended up playing Yaya Toure (a DMF) alongside Pique. That meant that our first choice midfield wasn't playing either. Make excuses all you like, you were utterly dominated by a better team, despite our back 4, you created nothing after the first 10 minutes. You saying you missed Fletcher could quite easily be counteracted with Barca fans saying they missed Alves and Abidal. It's actually infuriating how opposition fans do that so often. I could easily say that about the semi final the year before, but I accepted that Barca played badly because Man Utd were so good they made Barca play badly, I won't put it down to Ronaldinho/ Messi/ Eto'o/ Deco/ Iniesta/ Xavi having off days. Anyway, that's off topic so I'll leave my input as that.

3hn2givr7mx1sc

kryogen wrote: »

why? you a bayern munich fan now?

surely as a pool fan you would be happy to see us progress here and have to play more games which might impact on our attempt to eclipse liverpools domestic league title record?

I'd say he's worried that we'll go on a streak and win 3 Champions Leagues in a row if we win tonight.:P

Spiritoftheseventies

kryogen wrote: »

why? you a bayern munich fan now?

surely as a pool fan you would be happy to see us progress here and have to play more games which might impact on our attempt to eclipse liverpools domestic league title record?

No. Because he would have made it a better tie. You'll win the 19th title sooner or later.

3hn2givr7mx1sc

Mourinho interview on Sky straight after the match, supposedly he made some extraordinary comments!

Headshot

baz2009 wrote: »

Mourinho interview on Sky straight after the match, supposedly he made some extraordinary comments!

what ?

edit

mg i hate Jamie rednapp so much.

projectmayhem

Pro. F wrote: »

One thing about the United midfield - it is far more than the sum of its parts.

As is Bayern's... I don't rate our midfield overly highly individually (other then Schweini) but together they can do a stellar job.

Pro. F wrote: »

Some of the players are old (Giggs, Scholes), some of the players are very limited (Carrick) and overall it is lacking in top quality creativity but, imo, they're starting to show what they can achieve as a unit in the last few months. For the first time in years I'm starting to feel confident that we can go out and actually try to dominate the possession in the big games.

Which is a good point. Bayern have been playing pedestrian football under van Gaal, but they can dominate a game. Last Sat they had 70% possession. What they need to do is finish better when they get the ball into the box...

Pro. F wrote: »

Something you left out of your analysis: your goalie - he's dodgy imho. He could play a big part in the tie.

Our goalie is dodgy but he's also creative and is the only man I know of this season to save two penos in the same game... and score one in a CL game. His dodginess pays off at times. Having said that, I'm hoping the transfer rumours with Neuer are true. United are after him too but he said he wouldn't play in the EPL.

Bukman13 wrote: »

If Bayern go 4-4-2 or 4-2-3-1, the midfield will consist of at least 2 of Van Bommel,Tymoschuck and Pranjic according to you post.

So you think a player with no first touch who has bearly played a game (Tymo), a player who you would have nowhere near the team (Van Bommel), and a player who "literally" can't do anything else but cross a ball (Pranjic), make up a better midfield than Park, Fletcher and Carrick!

Tymo hasn't played, but he is still experienced and knows how to play the game. My personal gripe with van Bommel is one thing, but the fact is that I also said he was a strong leader and able to play good defensive football when he wants to. He also scored an amazing goal against Fiorentina, and is a former CL winner. Pranjic is the weakest of the bunch. He's fairly muck alright, and inexperienced... so if he's on the pitch I hope the big occasion makes him step up.

Bukman13 wrote: »

You must not rate Fletcher, Carrick or Park very highly if thats the case.

Not particularly, no. Together they've played well of late, but that's not always been the case, and they can be exposed very quickly.

All in all, I do think this is United's game to lose. Bayern is without Robben and Schweinsteiger. We're also likely to not have Gomez in front of the goal, too. Add to that the fact that our manager tends to play the same formation/players/plays week in/week out means we're easy to anticipate. If Ribery hits form tonight we should do well. All Bayern should work towards is scoring a goal, ideally before United do... and to hold off Rooney. Conceding an away goal will seal our fate.

Pro. F

kryogen wrote: »

there is a distinct lack of Valencia in that team tbh

wish he had been playing instead of Carrick and shift Park in the middle, but maybe Nani's trickery will do the job

Yeah, Valencia's defensive abilities are just as good as Park's anyway. Maybe it's going to be Fletcher out wide and Park in the middle at some points. Maybe this team has been picked to be a bit more flexible/changeable in that way.

No Robben is very good news.

Spiritoftheseventies

kryogen wrote: »

Rooney

18 goals in his last 14 games

that is seriously imprresive

All down to the gloves apparently

3hn2givr7mx1sc

Headshot wrote: »

what ?

edit

mg i hate Jamie rednapp so much.

The main presenter(can't thnk of his name) said that there was a Mourinho interview done earlier and he said something big.

bernardo mac

NeVeR wrote: »

Hey... where can you listen to the match online ?... I cant watch it.. but can listen lol..

Any links would be great.

baraca wrote: »

I'm going for 2-0 united

Very good analysis and coverage on BBC5 LIVE online

Raskolnikov

Team:

Van der Sar

Neville
Vidic
Ferdinand
Evra

Scholes
Fletcher
Carrick
Park
Nani

Rooney.

If that's the United team, then it's defensive. Sounds like Fergie is willing to come away with a draw.

redout

Lads is that a small security camera outside the window that keeps moving around ?

Very odd and annoying.

Le King

Spiritoftheseventies wrote: »

All down to the gloves apparently

OH MAH GAWD, HE RETURNS....

---

No Valencia?
Is he on the bench?

Raskolnikov

Oh great, Mr. Personality, David May is doing punditry on TV3.

TheMilkyPirate

bernardo mac wrote: »

Very good analysis and coverage on BBC5 LIVE online

Was that sincere or an attempt at sarcasm

Spiritoftheseventies

Raskolnikov wrote: »

Oh great, Mr. Personality, David May is doing punditry on TV3.

Count your lucky stars. We have to put up with 3e for the last few weeks.

Le King

Raskolnikov wrote: »

Oh great, Mr. Personality, David May is doing punditry on TV3.

True, cue the clichés.