Most Appearances

The most-played rivalry in European Cup history, with no final meeting.

The Bayern Munich–Real Madrid rivalry, commonly known as the European Clásico, is a European club rivalry between Bayern Munich and Real Madrid. It is the most often played match in the Champions League/European Cup with 30 matches.

Lore & Background

Due to the tie being closely contested, Madrid supporters sometimes referred to Bayern as the 'Bestia negra' ('Black Beast'). Despite facing each other the most in the competition's history, with several controversial incidents occurring due to the great importance of most of their meetings, the clubs have never met in the final of a Champions League or European Cup.

Reader's Guide

Both clubs are the most successful in their respective countries, Real Madrid winning 71 domestic trophies and Bayern Munich winning 69 domestic trophies. Bayern Munich have won a total of 14 international trophies, including 6 European Cup/UEFA Champions League, while Real Madrid have 32 international trophies, including a record 15 European Cup/UEFA Champions League titles. Real Madrid versus Bayern is the match that has historically been played most often in the Champions League/European Cup with 30 matches (thirteen wins for Madrid, thirteen wins for Bayern, with four draws).

They have faced each other in fourteen knockout rounds, including eight semi-finals, more than any other pair. During the 2010s, the two teams met in the 2011–12 Champions League semi-finals, which ended 3–3 on aggregate (Bayern won 3–1 on penalties after extra time, but lost the final at their own stadium), and then at the same stage in the 2013–14 edition with Real Madrid winning 5–0 on aggregate on their way to winning the competition. They were also drawn together in the 2016–17 quarter-finals; Real Madrid won 6–3 on aggregate after extra time and subsequently lifted the trophy.

The following year, they met in the semi-finals, with Real Madrid again progressing 4–3. Until the 2018–19 season, when they were twice defeated in Madrid by three-goal margins, Real's biggest loss at home in the Champions League had been at the hands of Bayern on 29 February 2000, 2–4. While Bayern Munich’s biggest home loss in European competitions remains a 4–0 loss to Real Madrid on 29 April 2014.

Did You Know?

Cristiano Ronaldo has scored the most goals (9) in the history of this fixture and is the only player to score a hat-trick.
Iker Casillas has the most appearances (14) in the fixture.