The Cup final opposed mighty Bayern to Bayer Uerdingen. For all its good form, Bayer was nothing compared to the giant, and the final was predictable: Bayer will put the good fight, but Bayern will enjoy a double. Hoeness scored in the 8th minute and everything seemed finished, fulfilling the prediction. Feilzer equalized right away, in the 9th minute, but so what? Bayern will score again – after all, Hoeness and company were not almost anonymous guys like Feilzer. He may have scored, but a second one? Now, Bayern scored and scored goals. Second goal arrived, of course, but in the second half and the scorer was neither Hoeness, nor Rummenigge Junior. Schaffer scored for Bayer in the 66th minute and to the end of the game Bayern was unable to equalize. No double.
Rather modest squad delightfully triumphed.
The Cup was theirs – what joy!
Bayern lost the final and the double, which was not a happy moment for them. This is not the team which played at the Cup final – from left to right: Augenthaler, Pfaff (practically hidden), Willmer, Lerby, Wohlfarth, Pflugler, Durnberger, Eder, Kogl, Dieter Hoeness, Mathaus. It could have been a mistake made because of the obvious superiority Bayern had over all others: with squad so deep and strong, looked like that Lattek varied the starting eleven, often mixing 2-3 reserve players with the regulars. The approach, although plausible, is also risky – it may misfire on occasion. It builds too much comfort, the team may get a bit lazy and self-assured: after all, we beat everybody even with reserves. To a point, the prize for over-comfidence was paid at the Cup final: no matter what, Bayern was facing a German opponent and German teams at least match Bayern in physicality and fighting spirit.
Great victory of the underdog! Bayer had their best year ever, crowned with winning the Cup. Feldkamp coached them excellently, but as a squad, it was a modest one. Herget, Schafer, the Icelandic import Gudmundsson… not much and understandable so: Bayer, after all, was not a big club with tons of money. They were still the better ‘Aspirins’, but whatever money the pharmaceutical giant invested in football was split between their two clubs and already looked like Leverkusen was going to be the first choice of the sponsor. Thus, the victory was priceless – against any odds, even against corporate policy, if you wish. Beating Bayern in itself may endear many to the winners. And for clubs of the caliber of Uerdingen a win is particularly cherished, for both club and supporters know down in theit hearts that success can be only occasional, most likely never to be repeated. Lovely moment.
A moment deserving to be repeated – as it was, for the photo is not from the Cup final, but a bit later – a proud display for the fans. And not only.
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