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matches

Bayern Munich 0 - 0 Aberdeen

HT Score: Bayern Munich 0 - 0 Aberdeen

European Cup Winners Cup Quarter Final First Leg

02/03/1983 | KO: 20:30

Dons hold Germans to claim important draw

Aberdeen went into this match as massive underdogs but put up a sterling performance that earned them a deserved draw. In fact Aberdeen carved out several chances of their own and with a bit of luck could have returned to Pittodrie with a win.

Alex Ferguson decided not to risk Strachan who would be on the bench so Doug Bell was handed a starting place and his ability to hold the ball was vital to the Dons. Leighton was first to handle but it was the Dons who launched the first attack. Rummenigge showed his danger early on but Willie Miller showed exactly what the Dons were about with a superb crunching tackle. Aberdeen showed little sign of any concern and were enjoying as much possession as Bayern in the early stages. Doug Bell went close after 11 minutes when the massed German defence blocked his shot after good work by Weir. Five minutes later Weir brought out a superb save from Muller, as the Dons winger was unlucky not to open the scoring.

After 22 minutes a long run by Grobe ended with a weak shot before Nachtweth did bring out a save from Jim Leighton. The Dons keeper was again called into action shortly after when he saved a Breitner free kick. In the 35th minute a run from Kennedy ended with a superb cross that just eluded Eric Black who only had the keeper to beat. A minute later the Bayern goal had an escape when Muller did well to turn a McGhee shot past the post. Aberdeen were more than matching their esteemed opponents and the German frustration spilled on to the terraces.

The second half continued in the same vein with the Dons continuing to deny the Germans much of the ball. Black was again to the fore for the Scots when he just missed a cross from Peter Weir. At last Bayern showed as an attacking force and Miller and Leighton were glad to tidy up a dangerous situation. From the corner kick Leighton dived full length to save from Rumminegge. Cooper was lectured after a foul on Del Haye then Jim Leighton again saved when Rumminegge headed from close range.

The Bayern attacks were dwindling out as they came up against a solid defence superbly marshalled by McLeish and Miller. To the cheers of the jubilant Aberdeen support Gordon Strachan came off the bench, replacing Eric Black. Augenthaler displayed the Germans frustration when he booted the ball out for a corner kick after 84 minutes. The Dons finished where they had started - camped in the German half, much to the delight of the 1000 travelling Red Army.

Alex Ferguson was justifiably delighted: "It was a performance that made us very proud. They are one of the biggest clubs in the world with a great tradition. This result will hurt them and they may come out snarling at our ground. We will be ready for them though."

It was a tactical triumph for the Dons, who surprised the likes of Beckenbauer, Breitner, Hoeness and Rumminegge who stated afterwards that they could not believe that a British club could display such tactical awareness and concentration. Added to the fact that the typical mental toughness that Scottish teams have in abundance, then there remains a potent cocktail.

Bayern Munich Teamsheet
Muller, Dremmler, Horsmann, Grobe, Augenthaler, Kraus, Nachtweth, Breitner, Hoeness, Del Haye, Rumminegge.
Aberdeen Teamsheet
Leighton, Kennedy, Rougvie, Cooper, McLeish, Miller, Black (Strachan 76), Simpson, McGhee, Bell, Weir.

Unused Subs: Gunn, Hamilton, Hewitt, Watson.
Watch Highlights
Attendance: 35,000
Venue: Olympic Stadium, Munich
Referee: E. Guruceta, Spain
Next Match
Ross County
A
19 May 2024 / 15:00 / Victoria Park, Dingwall