German and English Empires collide in the battle for old Europe
Forget the new money of Manchester City or Chelsea. Never mind wealthy investors who inject millions in a bid to see their club become upwardly mobile. Tuesday night’s UEFA Champions League tie between Bayern Munich and Manchester United was a reminder of ‘Old Europe’, a battle between two of football’s greatest empires. In Spain there is Real Madrid, a team that has an estimated 13.2m fans in Spain alone, a bastion of governmental centralism. Ruling over its own semi-autonomous territory is Barcelona, a powerful symbol and expression of Catalonia’s independence. Over in Italy, the ‘Old Lady of Turin’, Juventus, enjoy the support of 32% of football fans. In all of these cases, their popularity has been bolstered by success on many levels.
Similarly, Bayern and United occupy the throne in their respective countries. Their success hasn’t just been on the pitch. Commercially, these two behemoths were tapping into markets in the Far East and enjoying nationwide, rather than just provincial support, long before some of their competitors. Even Liverpool, one of England’s most successful clubs, both domestically and on the European stage, are playing catch-up with respect to their global operation.
Bayern’s 2-1 victory over Manchester United in their quarter-final first leg, was the archetypal empirical duel. The play flowed beautifully, with the advantage swinging in either direction. Darren Fletcher crossed swords with Mark van Bommel whilst Patrice Evra and Franck Ribéry made marauding runs into enemy territory. Wayne Rooney looked to have outdone his striking counterpart, Ivica Oli?, until the final moments of the game
Rooney had capitalised on defender Martin Demichellis’ slip to give United the upper hand in only the second minute. Much was made of Franck Ribéry’s rising star before kick-off and the restless Frenchman toiled with United all evening only to see his craft fail to find an end product. This was until thirteen minutes from time when Bayern conjured a deserved equaliser. Ribéry’s deflected free-kick wrong footed Edwin van der Sar and a great weight around the Allianz Arena was lifted. An absorbing encounter was settled in stoppage time by Croatian Ivica Oli?, whose shot arrowed past the United ‘keeper as the Germans drew first blood.
Bayern, four times winners of the competition, and United, three times victors themselves, will play the decisive second leg on the 7th April at Old Trafford. The predominant noise of Bayern’s vociferous ‘Südkurve’ will be replaced by the Mancunian twang of the Stretford End as these two tribes fight for supremacy. Both sets of fans are well-versed in what it takes to become a European champion. There is no manufactured faux rivalry between them. United have now only beaten Bayern once in eight attempts. Despite this, their sole triumph has a psychological gravitas as it came in the epic final of 1999.
In a week’s time, United look likely to be without the force of Wayne Rooney, who left the stadium on crutches following an injury to his right ankle. Bayern on the other hand, may be boosted by the return of flying Dutchman, Arjen Robben. Whoever is available, the second-leg will be another unmissable encounter. The magisterial ceremony perpetuated by the UEFA Champions League doesn’t need to engineer any sense of importance to the loyal subjects of these two empires of Old Europe.
William Geldart
