In an all-German Champions League final, who should you go for? Let’s break this down, methodically.
One of the world’s biggest football games takes place this weekend with the UEFA Champions League final, and the spectacle of two German clubs competing at hallowed Wembley is a lovely, little incongruity. Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund are worthy finalists, but with apologies to the pockets of Bayern fans out there, this is not exactly a meeting of globally popular football brands. Many tuning into the final will not be partial to either team. So as a service, here’s out cheat-sheet for who you should cheer for:
If you side with winners … pick Bayern. This is a successful club, by any standard. It has won more European Cups than Manchester United. Franz Beckenbauer played for Munich.
If indie cred is your life’s motivation … pick Dortmund. There’s a fantastic term, “football hipster”, that describes a class of soccer fan that loves to seek out less-well-known teams employing avant-garde styles of play. Dortmund has been the hipsters’ team of choice for the last few years, although victory might make them too cool.
If you hate United … you’ll feel that Bayern deserves some positive karma after the Red Devils robbed them in extra time in 1999.
If you hate rich teams in general … then Dortmund is a beacon of hope for fiscally responsible clubs trying to match it with Russian oligarchs and Gulf sheikhs everywhere. Dortmund almost went under in 2005; it has built itself back up to where it makes about €190m in revenue annually. Bayern, by comparison, makes €370m.
If you’re looking for a team to support beyond this game … Bayern. They’re going to be good for awhile, especially because former Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola takes over next year.
If you like loud colours … definitely Dortmund. Their strip borders on hazard vest.
If you like names … Bayern star Bastian Schweinsteiger’s surname translates to “pig climber”.
If you’re fond of weirdly idiosyncratic managers … Dortmund’s Jurgen Klopp is a special. His middle name is Norbert. He pulls off the glasses-with-tracksuit look on the sideline. His university thesis was about walking. And he’s done his best to win over the non-aligned to Dortmund’s cause this weekend, comparing Bayern to a James Bond villain.
In any case, you could always emulate German midfielder Mario Gotze. The Dortmund star has struggled to come back from a hamstring injury, but will not be ready to play. That might be for the best – he transfers to Bayern in a month.
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