1974/75: Bayern triumph at Leeds' expense

Bayern 2-0 Leeds United
(Roth 71, Müller 83)
Parc des Princes, Paris

Bayern became the fifth team to successfully defend the European Champion Clubs' Cup in 1974/75, late goals through Franz Roth and Gerd Müller securing victory against Leeds United in Paris. Dettmar Cramer's men therefore celebrated the win that rescued an otherwise disappointing season – they were tenth in the German first division – and set the scene for a hat-trick of European Cup triumphs 12 months later.

In fact, Bayern only really hit form in the semi-finals, having struggled past Magdeburg and Ararat Yerevan. Here, against an Saint-Étienne side that had come from 4-1 down to beat Hajduk Split, they followed up a 0-0 draw in France with a 2-0 success at the Olympiastadion. Leeds, on the other hand, had made short work of Zürich and Újpest before overcoming Barcelona – Cruyff, Neeskens et al – in the last four.

With a 3-2 aggregate triumph, Don Revie's players emulated the Catalan side's achievement in reaching the finals of all three UEFA club competitions. Yet they were also in the habit of losing on the big stage, and the pattern continued as Bayern's campaign ended in a blaze of glory.