The question of the “Kane curse” is surely weighing heavily on both the England captain and the fans of Germany’s most successful team, Bayern Munich. Despite making the biggest marquee signing of the summer in the form of Harry Kane, the usually dominant Bavarians are struggling on a number of fronts in the early weeks of the 2023/24 season.
Thomas Tuchel’s team kicked things off with a disappointing 3-0 defeat at home to RB Leipzig in the DFC Super Cup, and their struggles continued in the DFB Pokal. A trip to third-tier outfit Saarbrücken on November 1st resulted in a shocking 96th-minute defeat, sending the German giants crashing out in just the second round.
The Last Time Bayern Didn’t Win a Trophy
For most football fans, Bayern Munich’s dominance in the German league is a well-established fact. The Allianz Arena side has secured the league title in each of the past eleven seasons, making it difficult to recall the last time they didn’t win a trophy. This season, despite trailing early pace-setters Bayer Leverkusen by two points, sports betting sites still heavily favor Thomas Tuchel’s men to lift the Meisterschale.
However, it’s important to remember that it hasn’t even been a decade since Bayern last failed to win the Bundesliga. Back in 2012, Barack Obama was still serving his first term as US president, and Felix Baumgartner was preparing for his daring jump from space. While those times may seem like a distant memory, revisiting that season offers valuable insights.
Borussia Dortmund Reign Supreme
The 2010/11 season marked a turning point for German football. Borussia Dortmund, a sleeping giant, awoke under the guidance of Jurgen Klopp and clinched the title in style. Their swashbuckling playing style captured the attention of Europe, and they finished the season with a comfortable nine-point lead over second-placed Leverkusen, leaving Bayern Munich in third place, marking the last time Bayern lost the Bundesliga.
Undeterred by the defeat, Bayern Munich responded by investing heavily in the summer of 2011, acquiring players like Manuel Neuer and Jerome Boateng to reclaim their throne. While they started the 2011/12 season strongly, winning seven of their first nine games, BVB remained in top form, winning their opening eight games.
Conclusion
Bayern’s form dipped alarmingly, losing back-to-back matches, including a crucial 1-0 defeat against Dortmund at the Allianz Arena in Der Klassiker. While the Bavarians faltered, Klopp’s Dortmund side remained unstoppable. Despite losing three of their first six games after the winter break, they went on an incredible 32-game unbeaten run, securing the title for a second consecutive season and leaving their Bavarian rivals to pick up the pieces.
