Bayern Munich’s honorary president, Uli Hoeneß, harbors grim memories of the 2009 Champions League quarter-final match against FC Barcelona.
When asked by the FAZ if there was a specific match in the last 25 years that he dreaded for his FC Bayern, the 74-year-old cited the second leg against the Catalans.
He explained: «They dismantled us completely in the first leg. I was sitting next to Jürgen Klinsmann (Bayern’s then-coach, ed.) on the bench at the Camp Nou. I’ve never looked at my watch as often in my life as I did in the first half of that game – because it just wouldn’t seem to end.»
By halftime, the star-studded team coached by Pep Guardiola was already leading 4-0. The formidable attacking trio of Lionel Messi (2), Samuel Eto’o, and Thierry Henry had established a commanding lead against a pitifully outmatched visiting side. Things were already going poorly for FCB; they had recently suffered a memorable 1-5 defeat in Wolfsburg, and key defenders Lucio and Philipp Lahm were absent.
Uli Hoeneß: «I wasn’t looking forward to the second leg in Munich»
«That was the biggest embarrassment for Bayern Munich,» Hoeneß stated. «Do you know why? They felt sorry for us. I had the feeling that during halftime, they said, ‘Let’s ease up a bit now.’ I wasn’t looking forward to the second leg in Munich.»
In that return leg, Bayern held their own against the eventual champions, securing a 1-1 draw. Franck Ribery scored the opening goal shortly after the break, with Seydou Keita equalizing for Barcelona.
Ultimately, it was a trophy-less season for the usually successful Bayern. With five games remaining, Klinsmann was dismissed, and Jupp Heynckes managed the team until the end of the season, followed by Louis van Gaal.
Under the Dutch coach, Hoeneß witnessed more pleasing performances in the Champions League. In the 2009/10 season, FCB reached the final but lost to Inter Milan.
FC Barcelona vs. FC Bayern 2009: Starting Lineups
- FC Barcelona: Valdes — Dani Alves, Marquez, Pique, Puyol — Xavi, Yaya Toure, Iniesta — Messi, Eto’o, Henry
- FC Bayern: Butt — Oddo, Demichelis, Breno, Lell — van Bommel, Schweinsteiger, Ze Roberto, Altintop, Ribery — Toni