Bayern Munich are the most successful German football team in Bundesliga history. They have methodically built themselves into one of the most revered sporting institutions in Europe, and there's hardly a team they cannot face head-on.
The Bavarians have won the most Bundesliga crowns (27) and the most domestic cups (20) in Germany. Bayern Munich also hold the third spot in the world for most Champions League trophies, with six sitting in their cabinet. This simply means Die Roten have been a dominant force domestically and internationally for most of the last few decades.
Very few teams can manage to boast more than a few wins over the Bavarian giants domestically or in Europe. Fewer players can still list Bayern Munich as a scalp they’ve collected once, much less on a frequent basis.
However, some players have managed to carve a niche for themselves and have become specialists in playing the reigning German champions. So, without further ado, here are five players who have tormented Bayern Munich over the years:
Honorable mentions
The Bavarians have long been a strong opponent, especially across their golden years in the 60s and 70s. However, the players featured on this list will be picked from more recent history - within this century. As such, some legends, like Manfred Burgsmuller - who scored 13 goals in 27 games against Bayern - will only be mentioned here.
Karl-Heinz Korbel is also another legendary player who popularly faced the Bavarians 41 times. No other player in the history of the club has managed a higher number of appearances against them.
Borussia Dortmund legend Lothar Emmerich also taught Bayern Munich a lesson. In just eight Bundesliga appearances against them, he scored eight goals and assisted two. Die Roten will hardly forget his hat-trick in Dortmund's 6-3 win against them in 1967.
#5 Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang | Barcelona
Before transferring to Barcelona and before captaining Arsenal, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang enjoyed a brilliant stint at Borussia Dortmund. Bayern Munich may have been unbeatable, but that didn't stop the Gabon international from flourishing against them. Although Aubameyang hasn't faced them since 2018, the Bavarians will hardly forget just how ruthless he was in the final third.
Aubameyang managed two goals and two assists in nine Bundesliga games against Die Roten. But his prowess came to the fore in important cup games. In four DFB-Pokal games, the star scored twice against Bayern Munich. He also scored twice and assisted twice in four DFL-Supercup finals against Bayern.
#4 Marco Reus | Borussia Dortmund
This list would've featured another player if Marco Reus hadn't made the decision to move to Dortmund from Borussia Monchengladbach back in 2012. The star had to make a coveted choice between the Bavarians and BVB before he eventually moved to Dortmund.
It might have left a sour taste in the mouths of Bayern Munich fans. But what would hurt more is how consistent Reus has been against Die Roten over the years.
In a total of 32 games against them, Reus has scored 12 goals and assisted seven. Much of this success has come in the Bundesliga, where the star has managed eight goals and five assists in 20 appearances against the side.
His best record, however, comes in the DFL Supercup, where he has scored three goals in five games against Bayern.
#3 Erling Haaland | Borussia Dortmund
He might still be young, but Erling Haaland has already shown Bayern Munich fans that he is no pushover. There is currently a lot of discourse about the Norwegian international leaving Dortmund, and possibly Germany, this summer. So it may be a few years before he plays against Bayern again. However, Haaland has certainly left Die Roten with some memorable appearances.
Although he has never won a match against Bayern Munich, the youngster has maintained clinical goalscoring form for his side. Four goals in four Bundesliga meetings against the German giants is a strong feat for a 21-year-old. His two goal contributions in two Supercup finals are even stronger.
Dortmund may struggle to withstand Die Roten's might, but the Bavarians have found it difficult to keep Haaland quiet.
#2 Filippo Inzaghi | AC Milan legend
Popular in Italy for the years he spent playing in Serie A, Filippo Inzaghi has had a surprisingly brilliant record against Bayern Munich. He never played in the Bundesliga and was only opportuned to meet the Bavarians in the Champions League.
What is amazing, however, is that Inzaghi has never lost a single game to them. Playing against the German giants five times during his career, the current Brescia manager won four games and drew just once.
His goalscoring record is also amazing: six goals in five games against Germany's biggest club. In fact, the first leg of the quarter-finals in 2007 happens to be the only game against Bayern where Inzaghi did not score a goal.
The former striker managed two braces against Bayern Munich and will always be recognized for his ruthlessness in front of goal.
#1 Cristiano Ronaldo | Manchester United
The Portuguese maestro has played in Portugal, England, and Italy but he has only faced the Bavarians during his time in Spain. While playing for Real Madrid, Cristiano Ronaldo enjoyed sublime form against Bayern Munich, facing them eight times and losing just twice.
Notably, both losses came in the semi-finals in 2012 after which Bayern lost to Chelsea after reaching the Champions League final.
Overall, Ronaldo has scored an astonishing nine goals in those eight games against the Bavarians. In every game where Ronaldo has scored against them, he has scored a minimum of two goals.
Bayern fans will hardly forget their quarter-finals meeting in 2017, where Ronaldo scored a stunning hat-trick to kick Bayern out of the Champions League. Real Madrid's 4-0 win at the Allianz Arena in 2014, where Ronaldo scored two goals, will also hurt the Bavarians to remember.