‘Bundesliga proves superiority’

Bayern Munich’s massed ranks of red celebrated avoiding the fate of losing their third successive Champions League final with a rousing rendition of an old England classic.

The Euro 96 anthem “Football’s Coming Home” was one of the souvenirs Germany took away with them—as well as the trophy—in that memorable summer.

And it was back again on another sunny Wembley night of vindication for Bayern, match-winner Arjen Robben and that country’s great coaching statesman Jupp Heynckes.

The facts are bare. Bayern Munich cleansed the wounds of Champions League final defeats to Inter Milan in 2010 and, in their own imposing Allianz Arena to Chelsea in 2012, with a 2-1 victory over Bundesliga rivals Borussia Dortmund.

It gave the Bavarian giants, the beast that once spawned the nickname “FC Hollywood”, a fifth win in this tournament. They are level with Liverpool and only Real Madrid and AC Milan are above them.

Scratch underneath those statistics, however, and this magnificent Champions League final was more than just a showpiece, it was a showcase for the Bundesliga. It was a demonstration of the shift in European football’s domestic balance of power.

Football was not coming home at Wembley on Saturday evening. It was paying a visit because if it lives anywhere at the moment it lives in Germany. And this was the pulsating proof.

“Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben looked so strong.

“We were talking before about what Bayern Munich have learned from Borussia Dortmund after losing two championships.

“One thing is fitness, because they look fitter than Dortmund and I never thought I would hear myself say that.”

After beating Barcelona and Real Madrid in the semi-finals, the teams lived up to the expectations of a final that was gripping from first to last. It was a credit to the players, coaches and the domestic league they have dominated in recent years.

If this was catharsis for Bayern, the presence and pride of Dortmund only added to the impression that this was a demonstration of strength from the Bundesliga in the heart of Premier League territory.

Manchester United won the Premier League at a canter, 11 points ahead of nearest rivals Manchester City. The margin was a convincing and realistic reflection of United’s supremacy—but a wise man would not risk too much on them overcoming either of these two sides.

There may be wider competition in the English Premier League (EPL) but Bayern and Dortmund look much better than the best the Premier League can offer.

This is food for thought for new Manchester United manager David Moyes, inexperienced in Europe, and those managers-in-waiting at Manchester City and Chelsea, Manuel Pellegrini and Jose Mourinho.

These two sides, backed by German fans who made Wembley a splash of bright yellow and red, produced a game to savour. Robben was at its centre, making Mario Mandzukic’s opener and scoring the 89th-minute winner after Ilkay Gundogan equalised with a penalty.

For match-winner Robben, 29, whose relationship with the Champions League had seen his physical and mental courage questioned, it was the sweetest redemption.

Twice a semi-final loser with Chelsea to Liverpool in 2005 and 2007, he played in both Bayern final defeats, and was heavily criticised after missing a penalty in last season’s final defeat to his former club.

He could have been forgiven for having that familiar sinking feeling at Wembley as he missed two first-half chances, one only stopped by the face of the outstanding Dortmund keeper Roman Weidenfeller.

Robben, however, had the courage of his convictions to go back again and show composure under pressure to score the winner. It answered his doubters, won Bayern the Champions League and lifted the weight that has often seemed to bear down on him on the big occasion.

The tears that flowed from Dutchman Robben at the final whistle gave the moment its true context. The nightmare was over.

Next on the cast list was Bayern’s 68-year-old coach Heynckes. There is no better parting gift for any European coach to leave his club than the Champions League, especially when you are moving aside to make room for the feted figure of Pep Guardiola as he returns from his sabbatical after leaving Barcelona.

This dignified man of German football must have feared the concluding years of an outstanding career would be framed by events in the Allianz last May when Bayern squandered the opportunity to win the great prize in front of their own fans.

Instead, he returned with a fitter and improved Bayern that fully deserved this victory. And what a little leaving present for Guardiola, especially if he completes a treble with the German Cup in the coming days.

He has done this before, having seen his time at Real Madrid ended despite winning the Champions League in 1998, but there is no doubt this would have been his target once Guardiola’s appointment was announced.—BBC