Once upon a time… the Camp Nou prepared to host the 1999 Champions League final between two teams who were actively competing for a treble. That year, it was Manchester United and Bayern Munich who met in the final of the Champions League with hopes of ending their European title drought. United had not been crowned kings of Europe since 1968 and Bayern had last won the title back in 1976. It had been the first time in the history of the competition where neither finalists had won their respective leagues the season before. However, the 1998-1999 season had been successful domestically for both teams. United had won the league and the FA Cup while Bayern had become champions of Germany and were scheduled to play the DFB-Pokal final days after.
Both teams had suffered from injuries and suspensions coming into the final. The English champions would not have midfielders Paul Scholes and Roy Keane due to suspension forcing Sir Alex Ferguson to improvise. Meanwhile, Bayern were missing left back Bixente Luzarazu and Brazilian forward Élber resulting in some changes to the ideal starting XI for Ottmar Hitzfeld.
United would lineup with Schmeichel in goal, Gary Neville as right back, Ronny Johnsen and Jaap Stam as the centerbacks and Denis Irwin as the left back. In the midfield, they had Nicky Butt and David Beckham playing out of position to compensate for the missing Roy Keane and Paul Scholes. Ryan Giggs had switched to the right flank for tactical reasons and Jesper Blomqvist was on the left. Up top were Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole.
As for Bayern, they had the great Oliver Kahn in goal and a line consisting of Markus Babbel, Thomas Linke, Samuel Kuffour and Michael Tarnat in front of sweeper Lothar Matthaus. In the midfield they had Stefan Effenberg and Jens Jeremies. Up top were Mario Basler, Carsten Jancker and Alexander Zickler.
Bayern were off to a great start as they got a dangerous free kick just outside United’s box less than six minutes into the game. An acrobatic through ball by Zickler found Carsten Jancker but was immediately fouled by United’s Johnsen. Mario Basler proceeded to step up and take a wonderful free kick curling perfectly around the United wall straight to Schmechel’s near post. The ball was hit so low and so powerful that it gave the keeper no chance to react. Bayern got right what the doctor ordered and were quickly on the board.
The Germans retrieved and allowed United to dominate possession for the majority of the first half. Despite dominating the ball, United had a difficult time breaking the German’s compact and disciplined defense. At the same time, Bayern began depending on their counterattacks which proved to be more and more dangerous. Neither team was able to create any more immediate danger for the rest of the half and both teams headed to the tunnel with the score still at 1-0.
The second half continued to be very similar to the first 45 minutes. United dominated possession but Bayern began creating havoc of their own. Jesper Blomqvist had United’s best chance in the second half as he stretched out and connected with Ryan Giggs’ cross but was unable to put it on frame. The Germans continued to test United’s back line in the counter forcing Schmeichel to make some key saves down the stretch.
In the last few minutes, both teams were creating chances left and right forcing both keepers to make crucial saves. Bayern even had a bicycle kick hit the woodwork and bounce out late in the game.
With the score still at 1-0, Sir Alex Ferguson decided to gamble and bring on both super sub Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjær in search of the tying goal. With the game in its dying moments, United began to risk more and more knowing there was no tomorrow. As the fourth referee announced there would be three minutes of stoppage time, United got a corner kick and even Schmeichel went up for it.
Beckham’s corner from the left side went just over Schmeichel’s head and all the way to the far post where Dwight Yorke attempted to header it back into danger. An awful clearance by Bayern’s defense landed right at Giggs’ feet. The welshmen poorly volleyed it one touch but was able to find Teddy Sheringham unmarked just six yards away from goal. Sheringham knew exactly where he was and exactly where the goal was and hit it one touch straight to the back of the net to make it 1-1. United had finally broken down Bayer’s defense and had rescued an equalizer with less than 3 minutes to play. But was there time for more?
Less than 30 seconds after the game was restarted, United had won yet another corner kick from the same left hand side. This time, Beckham’s corner was met by Sheringham, again alone right outside the six yard vox, who flicked it back towards the back post. His header was then met by fellow substitute Ole Gunnar Solskjær who stretched his leg out and deflected it to the back of the net. Despite Oliver Kahn being in a great position and Bayern having a defender in the back post, Solskjær’s shot caught everyone off guard as the entire Bayern team just witnessed in awe how their one goal lead had been reversed in a span of seconds.
Solskjær’s goal was enough to secure United their first Champions League title since 1968 while clinching a treble. The English champions deservingly overcame a 1-0 deficit to be crowned champions of Europe once again.
Following this 1999 final, Bayern would eventually lift the Champions League trophy in 2001 after defeating Valencia in the final. The Germans would then have to wait 12 years and lose two Champions League finals before becoming champions of Europe again in 2013 when they finally won the treble.
As for United, the late 2000s and early 2010s saw Sir Alex Ferguson’s men become active contenders in Europe once again while reaching three finals and winning one in 2008. United would win yet another treble in 2008-2009 after defeating Chelsea in penalties but have since declined following Sir Alex’s retirement in 2013.
It’s been almost 20 years since that magical night in Barcelona and despite playing and winning Champions League finals since then, I can guarantee you both teams and their fans still remember that final like it happened yesterday.