Bayern Strikes
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Four ‘What if’ situations in recent Bayern Munich history

By Joshua Bishop

MUNICH, GERMANY - DECEMBER 14: (BILD ZEITUNG OUT) Philippe Coutinho of FC Bayern Muenchen celebrates after scoring his team's sixth goal with team mates during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern Muenchen and SV Werder Bremen at Allianz Arena on December 14, 2019 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images)
MUNICH, GERMANY - DECEMBER 14: (BILD ZEITUNG OUT) Philippe Coutinho of FC Bayern Muenchen celebrates after scoring his team's sixth goal with team mates during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern Muenchen and SV Werder Bremen at Allianz Arena on December 14, 2019 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images) /
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Bayern Munich’s midfielder Thomas Mueller prepares to take a penalty during the UEFA Champions League semi-final, second-leg football match between FC Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid in Munich, southern Germany, on May 3, 2016. / AFP / LUKAS BARTH (Photo credit should read LUKAS BARTH/AFP via Getty Images)
Bayern Munich’s midfielder Thomas Mueller prepares to take a penalty during the UEFA Champions League semi-final, second-leg football match between FC Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid in Munich, southern Germany, on May 3, 2016. / AFP / LUKAS BARTH (Photo credit should read LUKAS BARTH/AFP via Getty Images) /

What if Thomas Muller had scored THAT penalty?

The 2015/16 Champions League season for Bayern Munich was full of incredible highs and lows. Starting in the round of 16 against Juventus, Bayern completed one of the best comebacks in CL history and looked to be favorites for the title. In the semi-finals, Bayern faced Atletico Madrid, and it was incredibly frustrating two sets of games.

The first leg finished 1-0 Atletico in Madrid, and then came the home leg for Munich. Xabi Alonso opened the scoring for Bayern, making it 1-1 on aggregate, but Antoine Griezmann gave the away side the precious away goal. Bayern got a goal back to make it 2-2 on aggregate, but Atleti advanced on away goals.

There was a moment in the game that could have altered Bayern’s history. In the 34th minute, Atleti keeper Jan Oblak saved a penalty from Thomas Muller. This penalty would have given the Bavarians the lead in the tie and forced Atleti to change their gameplan into a more attacking strategy, which could have allowed Bayern to score more goals.

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Die Roten would have gone to play the final against Real Madrid. With the way Rekordmeister was playing at the time, one would have backed them to beat that Madrid side. If they had won the CL title, why would have Guardiola left? He would have just guided his club to a treble since the team had already won the Bundesliga and DFB Pokal.

The Spanish manager could have then tried to maneuver the club through the transition years that the club have been experiencing in the past couple of years. He definitely would have left at some point, but he might have stayed longer than he did.

Muller also had one of his best seasons that year, but after the penalty miss, he has been a different player for Bayern in the past three seasons. No longer was he a lethal goal scorer, going from 20 goals in 2015/2016 to 5 goals in 2016/2017. During the Ancelotti and Kovac years, he looked a shadow of himself. Even to the point where there were serious rumors that the club might listen to offers for him. That penalty had a huge impact on Bayern Munich and Thomas Muller himself. (Stats courtesy: FBref)

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