Bayern Strikes
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Bayern Munich: All-Time greatest XI

By Kartik Sahni

MUNICH, GERMANY - NOVEMBER 06: The logo of Bayern Muenchen is seen on a corner prior to the UEFA Champions League group B match between Bayern Muenchen and Olympiacos FC at Allianz Arena on November 06, 2019 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Sebastian Widmann/Bongarts/Getty Images )
MUNICH, GERMANY - NOVEMBER 06: The logo of Bayern Muenchen is seen on a corner prior to the UEFA Champions League group B match between Bayern Muenchen and Olympiacos FC at Allianz Arena on November 06, 2019 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Sebastian Widmann/Bongarts/Getty Images ) /
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DFB Laenderspiel- BRD gegen CSSR 2:0 in Hannover Niedersachsenstadion. Einmarsch der Mannschaften Hier mit Beckenbauer Maier Schwarzenbeck Heynckes Dietz. (Photo by Rust/ullstein bild via Getty Images)
DFB Laenderspiel- BRD gegen CSSR 2:0 in Hannover Niedersachsenstadion. Einmarsch der Mannschaften Hier mit Beckenbauer Maier Schwarzenbeck Heynckes Dietz. (Photo by Rust/ullstein bild via Getty Images) /

Central Defenders

Playing in the heart of the defense, the legendary duo of Franz Beckenbauer and Hans-Georg Schwarzenbeck remain irreplaceable.

Nicknamed “Der Kaiser” for his leadership and elegance on the field, Beckenbauer is our captain for the All-Time XI. The central defender, who was famous for his exceptional runs from the defensive third, sweeping the ball past the opponent, was twice named the European Footballer of the Year in 1972 and 1976.

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He embarked on Bayern’s dominance in Europe in the mid-70s as he led them to three consecutive European Cups. On the international front, he was the first captain to lift the World Cup and the European championship for West Germany.

Click here to see what made Franz Beckenbauer an “emperor” in its true sense.

Alongside Beckenbauer, Hans-Georg Schwarzenbeck was a renowned center-half back in his days. During his tenure at Bayern Munich from 1966 to the early eighties, Schwarzenbeck scored 21 goals in the Bundesliga.

In addition to securing the Meisterschale six times in his career, the center-back won three German Cups, one European Cup Winners’ Cup, and three consecutive European Cups. (Stats courtesy: Google)

Check out the video here to see how Schwarzenbeck’s 120th-minute strike denied Atlético Madrid and earned Bayern a replay in the 1974 European Cup finals.