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Jürgen Klopp v Bayern: five memorable meetings

Jürgen Klopp is set to face old adversaries Bayern München for the first time with Liverpool.

Then-Dortmund coach Jürgen Klopp pictured prior to the 2013 UEFA Champions League final against Bayern
Then-Dortmund coach Jürgen Klopp pictured prior to the 2013 UEFA Champions League final against Bayern ©Getty Images

Their UEFA Champions League round of 16 tie is the clubs' first competitive meeting since 2001, but Liverpool boss Jürgen Klopp has faced Bayern frequently enough during that hiatus – 29 times, in fact (W9 D4 L16).

Indeed, apart from Carlo Ancelotti, whose Napoli side Liverpool eliminated in December, Klopp has pitted his wits against every permanent Bayern coach this century, with Niko Kovač next in line.

Klopp celebrates Liverpool's progression to the round of 16
Klopp celebrates Liverpool's progression to the round of 16©Getty Images

"It's a really nice trip for all our supporters, it's a wonderful city," Klopp said after the draw, albeit he has not always enjoyed his encounters with Germany's record champions.

UEFA.com recalls five of those meetings.

Watch: Bayern 2-1 Dortmund

25 May 2013: Dortmund 1-2 Bayern, UEFA Champions League final

Klopp told The Guardian last year that he has never watched this game back: "It was too painful." The Wembley showpiece was Dortmund's first UEFA Champions League final since lifting the trophy in 1997 and Bayern's third in four seasons.

If experience weighed in Bayern's favour, so too pre-match form: Dortmund had not beaten the Bavarians in four matches (D2 L2) coming into the final, a run stretching more than a year. True to form, Mario Mandžukić opened the scoring, yet İlkay Gündoğan swiftly equalised from the spot.

As extra time loomed, Bayern struck again, Arjen Robben poking past Roman Weidenfeller from close range. That the Dutchman was on target likely came as little surprise to the BVB faithful – Robben has scored more goals against Klopp's sides (nine) than any other Bayern player.

Klopp gets his hands on the German Cup in 2012
Klopp gets his hands on the German Cup in 2012©Getty Images

12 May 2012: Dortmund 5-2 Bayern, German Cup final

Just over a year earlier, Klopp had been celebrating German Cup glory – probably the apotheosis of his freewheeling Dortmund side. Shinji Kagawa broke the deadlock, but Robben – who else? – quickly replied.

Springing into attack at every possible opportunity, BVB then raced into a 4-1 lead and though Franck Ribéry pulled one back, Robert Lewandowski completed a hat-trick to seal a stunning triumph.

The victory secured Dortmund's first (to date, only) domestic double and also marked Bayern's heaviest defeat in a final. "The double ... It's the most incredible thing that's ever happened to me," said Klopp.

26 February 2011: Bayern 1-3 Dortmund, German Bundesliga

This triumph ended a long wait for Dortmund, winless in Munich in 18 previous attempts. They finally managed it in February 2011, and in so doing took a major step towards the first of two league titles under Klopp.

An average age of 22.3 made it the then-youngest team BVB had ever deployed for a Bundesliga fixture, but two of the three scorers – Nuri Şahin, whose stunning long-range effort stole the headlines, and Mats Hummels – were Klopp stalwarts.

As would happen 12 months later, Borussia's hard-running, high-pressing style and youthful verve proved too much for Bayern, who were nearing the end of Louis van Gaal's tenure.

Arjen Robben has scored nine goals against Klopp's sides – more than any other Bayern player
Arjen Robben has scored nine goals against Klopp's sides – more than any other Bayern player©Getty Images

12 September 2009: Dortmund 1-5 Bayern, German Bundesliga

Prior to those successes, Klopp had endured a long winless streak against Bayern – 11 games (D2 L9) with Mainz and Dortmund – with this loss the penultimate one in that sequence.

If Robben has often been Klopp's bête noire, then Thomas Müller is not far behind: the forward has netted five times against Klopp teams, his first two Bundesliga goals coming as a substitute in this victory.

Two other current Bayern players struck that day in Dortmund. Hummels gave BVB the advantage after a bright start, while Ribéry was on target in the second half as Germany's record champions ran rampant.

24 January 2006: Bayern 3-2 Mainz, German Cup quarter-finals

A narrow reverse for Klopp, and perhaps also an indicator – in just his fourth managerial assignment against Bayern – that the Swabian could prove a thorn in the Bavarians' side.

Unfancied Mainz took the German Cup holders into extra time before succumbing to a 3-2 defeat, Klopp employing the 4-3-3 system he has come to favour with Liverpool, with two wide forwards – Michael Thurk and Mohamed Zidan – flanking a lone striker in front of three hard-working midfielders.

Indeed, Mainz displayed the hallmarks that have come to define Klopp's current outfit: "Klopp's side swarmed everywhere with at least four men attacking like lightning after regaining possession," read kicker's match report.