The year 2020 truly was the best of times and the worst of times for Bayern Munich fans.
While much of the world was shut-in due to the pandemic, things eventually had to return to normal — and they did…at least somewhat.
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Football was one of the first aspects of “normal life” to help people remember what it was like after masks, vaccines, and fears of a plague dominated the conversation for months.
Finally, football gave people some of those old time (pre-pandemic) feelings. And for Bayern Munich fans, it was a glorious time on the pitch. Hansi Flick had the squad rolling to a treble (and an eventual sextuple) and the Bavarians were just a rollicking and fun show to watch.
When it came to the Champions League final, though, it was not really all that much fun. Tension, intensity, and uncertainty reigned supreme as Bayern Munich could not break through vs. PSG. Finally, the Bavarians took a 1-0 lead on a header from Kingsley Coman of all people in the 59th minute.
That showdown was just one of many recent UCL battles between the two legendary clubs. Amid that war, was a player who had history with organizations — Coman. The Frenchman recently took some time to talk to FCBayern.com and think about to 2020, that Bayern Munich team, and his Champions League finale:
FCBayern.com: Everyone remembers the image of your header in the 2020 Champions League final against PSG. When you think back to the seconds before the goal: What small moment – a run, a glance, a thought, a shout – has stayed with you most vividly?
Coman: “Perhaps Thomas’s shout after the goal. I’m not sure if I actually heard it. I remember more the moment I opened my eyes and saw that the ball was in. It was during the pandemic, so there were no fans in the stadium. But even if there are sounds: In a moment like that, you hardly notice them. You’re only focused on the ball, on the player crossing, on your opponent, and your teammates. I wanted to be as focused as possible in every situation.”
FCBayern.com: Did you know when the ball came that it could be your moment?
Coman: “No, it all happens far too quickly. It’s not like in a movie where time stands still and you think: Now’s my moment. You don’t have time to think, you just run to where you think the ball might go – and suddenly it’s there. Headers were never my strongest point. So I just wanted to hit it as cleanly as possible. The execution might not have been textbook, but the ball went exactly where it needed to go, with the necessary force. In the end, that’s all that matters.”
FCBayern.com: You say that heading the ball was never your strongest skill. Yet it was precisely such a moment that landed you in the FC Bayern history books. What does that tell you about big games today?
“It’s almost a strange situation. This very weakness helped me fulfill my biggest dream. It’s a beautiful contrast. For me, it shows that with focus, courage, and belief in yourself, you can achieve things on the biggest stage, even if they aren’t among your greatest strengths. That will always make me smile.”
If you are looking for more Bayern Munich and German national team coverage, check out the latest episodes of Bavarian Podcast Works, which you can get on Acast, Spotify, Apple, or any leading podcast distributor…
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