Der opposition

[dave.woodhall]

Just to be different, Robin Wilkes looks at our opponents on That Day.

https://heroesandvillains.info/2022/05/26/der-opposition/

[LeonW]

I think it's often forgotten by those beyond VP that not only did we win the biggest prize in European competition; we won it against an outstanding side. Look at how many of their players were playing in the 82 World Cup...and then contrast that with how many of ours went with England.

[Jon Crofts]

On the subject of forgotten, go to the Bayern Munchen museum at The Allianz, not a mention of the 1982 European Cup.

[astonvilla82]

On the subject of forgotten, go to the Bayern Munchen museum at The Allianz, not a mention of the 1982 European Cup.

They don't like it up them you know Captain Mainwaring

[Cliftonville Villlain]

They were an outstanding team and Rummenigge was something else and we were clearly the underdogs. But English teams had made the European Cup their own at that time so when Peter Withe did his thing it wasn't a surprise to this 13 year old. Always remember my dad saying when Jimmy Rimmer went off "That's it son. Bayern have this'. But when Spink made that save I just knew.

[algy]

On the subject of forgotten, go to the Bayern Munchen museum at The Allianz, not a mention of the 1982 European Cup.

Assume it's still there, but in the Barcelona museum they have the programme commemorating the time they only lost 3-0 to the Villa.  Can only assume they're basically the Spanish version of Small Heath.

[PeterWithe]

Always thought Paul Breitner was a left back.

[German James]

It's "die Opposition" or, more likely, "der Gegner". Interesting piece!

[Villa Lew]

Always thought Paul Breitner was a left back.

He spent most of his career as a left back, but in the early 80s moved to midfield.

[Rico]

Great read, and the fact that Bayern had never lost a major final beforehand makes our achievement even more impressive. Does anyone know why Bayern did not have their club badge on their shirt? Looks like they're playing in red adidas training tops.

[olaftab]

The Bayern team was scary. I never thought for a second that we will win that match.
Back in 2012 I was lucky enough to be invited to a hospitality box at the Allianz. Bayern were playing Hanover in a Pokal match. At half time we were visited by the "twins" as called by locals. Hoeness and Rummenigge who were part of Bayern hierarchy at the time. Of course I tried hard but couldn't resist opening up a discussion about 1982 specially as it was 30 years. Amazingly they were both happy to talk. They said that they did not want to play an English team in the final and although they had belief in their own players they had a worry about "the fight".  Rummenigge said the thing that surprised Bayern players was the "huge energy and power from Aston" (as he called us)  and Pal told them at HT to go easy for the first 15 minutes of second period and then attack with full power as Aston will be "at end of match power". He said "it was surprising because your Aston were not finished after 1 hour and played at full energy".

[dcdavecollett]

Great post, Olaftab!

[adrenachrome]

The Bayern team was scary. I never thought for a second that we will win that match.
Back in 2012 I was lucky enough to be invited to a hospitality box at the Allianz. Bayern were playing Hanover in a Pokal match. At half time we were visited by the "twins" as called by locals. Hoeness and Rummenigge who were part of Bayern hierarchy at the time. Of course I tried hard but couldn't resist opening up a discussion about 1982 specially as it was 30 years. Amazingly they were both happy to talk. They said that they did not want to play an English team in the final and although they had belief in their own players they had a worry about "the fight".  Rummenigge said the thing that surprised Bayern players was the "huge energy and power from Aston" (as he called us)  and Pal told them at HT to go easy for the first 15 minutes of second period and then attack with full power as Aston will be "at end of match power". He said "it was surprising because your Aston were not finished after 1 hour and played at full energy".

"it was surprising because your Aston were not finished after 1 hour and played at full energy"

Ron knew a thing or two about a thing or two long before Bielsa. 

[LeonW]

The Bayern team was scary. I never thought for a second that we will win that match.
Back in 2012 I was lucky enough to be invited to a hospitality box at the Allianz. Bayern were playing Hanover in a Pokal match. At half time we were visited by the "twins" as called by locals. Hoeness and Rummenigge who were part of Bayern hierarchy at the time. Of course I tried hard but couldn't resist opening up a discussion about 1982 specially as it was 30 years. Amazingly they were both happy to talk. They said that they did not want to play an English team in the final and although they had belief in their own players they had a worry about "the fight".  Rummenigge said the thing that surprised Bayern players was the "huge energy and power from Aston" (as he called us)  and Pal told them at HT to go easy for the first 15 minutes of second period and then attack with full power as Aston will be "at end of match power". He said "it was surprising because your Aston were not finished after 1 hour and played at full energy".

Very interesting post Olaftab. Many of that Bayern side were in the West Germany team that reached 3 successive World Cup finals before finally wining in 1990. We beat them and it was a beautiful and under appreciated moment. It’s why we all believe and watch football.

[Bad English]

It's "die Opposition"

We certainly funeralled them.