10 Goals That Took Bayern Munich to the 2013 Champions League Final in GIFs

The German champions are looking for another piece of silverware.

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With a record 23 national titles and 15 German cups, Bayern Munich is the most successful football club in Germany. And while they may have been beaten to the Bundesliga crown during the 2010-11 and 2011-12 campaigns by Borussia Dortmund, many feel that Bayern returned to their rightful place at the summit of German football by capturing this year's German domestic title. In a season that has been shadowed by the fact that Bayern knows they will be managed by former Barcelona man Pep Guardiola next season, they’ve shown no ill-effects of distraction. Current manager, Uli Hoeness, has shown no signs of anger or disgust either, he has simply gone about the business of winning.

After narrowly edging Valencia to finish top of Group F, Bayern has been on a tear since the beginning of the knockout stage, outscoring opponents 14-2 and holding Juventus and Barcelona scoreless over both legs. Saturday they will meet a familiar foe in domestic rivals Borussia Dortmund, and while the two have had similar seasons domestically and in Europe, the Champions League final will ultimately show who the top dog is this season. Before "FC Hollywood" looks to claim their fifth Champions League title proper this Saturday, check out their European journey with the 10 Goals That Took Bayern Munich to the 2013 Champions League Final in GIFs.

Written by Adam Silvers (@silversurfer103)

10. Xherdan Shaqiri's Sublime Wing Play Finds Gomez for the Tap

Date: 12/5/2012
Matchup: BATE Borisov @ Bayern

Bayern's recently acquired Swiss international midfielder, Xherdan Shaqiri, provided the genius and groundwork for this Mario Gomez tap-in against BATE Borisov on the final match day of the group stage. A piece of wing play that showed Shaqiri's skill, pace, and strength, this move led to Bayern's opener in the 22nd minute. This goal also showcased why the German giants were so eager to snatch the 21-year-old from FC Basel after his heroics with the Swiss side in the previous European campaign. Ahem, Manchester United, ahem. The goal was the first in a 4-1 demolishing of the Belarus side, and it secured Bayern's passage to the Round of 16 as group winners.

9. Toni Kroos Scores the Would be Winner in Bayern's Group Opener

Date: 9/19/2012
Matchup: Valencia @ Bayern

We cannot emphasize enough the importance of getting your Champions League campaign off to a winning start, especially when you're playing at home. You only play six group stage matches, so each one is critical from the off. Bayern would have suffered a draw in their European opener against Group F runners-up Valencia, if it weren't for this upper-90 sizzler from hitman Tony Kroos. He beautifully collects at the edge of the area, before turning and firing into the corner in the 76th minute. While this goal put Bayern up 2-0 at the time, it would prove to be the decider after Nelson Haedo Valdez's stoppage-time goal in the 91st for Valencia.

8. Bastian Schweinsteiger Curler Starts the Rout

Date: 11/7/2012
Matchup: Lille @ Bayern

In their previous group encounter just over two weeks earlier, Bayern found the Lille defense tough to breakdown in France. They escaped the Metropole with a 1-0 victory thanks to a first-half penalty converted by Thomas Muller. However, the story in Germany was filled with a lot less drama, and a lot more goals. The first of which was this sensational free kick from Bastian Schweinsteiger.

A classic curler from beyond the edge of the area, this goal in just the fifth minute of play started what would end up being a 6-1 rout of the French side. Not even Eden Hazard could've done much to help Lille on this night. This goal fest would also prove crucial down the line as Bayern finished the group tied on points with Valencia, but one ahead of them in the goal differential column. Never take your foot off the gas, kids.

7. Thomas Muller Equalizes Late at the Mestalla

Date: 11/20/2012
Matchup: Bayern @ Valencia

This 82nd minute equalizer from Thomas Muller at the Mestalla in Valencia proved vital on the second to last match day of the group stage. And while his effort may have taken a deflection off a defender, last we checked they all count just the same. This goal came just five minutes after the hosts took the lead through Sofiane Feghouli, and were surely feeling like they were about to bag all three points. The draw would go a long way to helping Bayern eventually top the group, and it provided the Bavarian giants with a huge lift ahead of their final group encounter with BATE Borisov.

6. Thomas Muller Puts the Final Nail in Barca's Coffin

Date: 5/1/2013
Matchup: Bayern @ Barcelona

This final goal would solidify Bayern's place not just in the Champions League final, but among the best European campaigns on record. Already league winners, this Thomas Muller header in the 76th minute was a perfect metaphor for Bayern's performance across the two legs, and throughout the campaign.

They towered over their opponents by leaps and bounds, and always seemed to show that killer instinct. A thorough embarrassment of what was touted as the best team of a generation in Barcelona, Bayern brushed the Catalan side away with ease as they cruised to a 7-0 victory on aggregate. Twenty-nine goals since they kicked off their European dream back in September, if the season has been any indication, we are in store for more than a few goals come the final this Saturday.

5. Vintage Arjen Robben Leftfooted Curler at the Nou Camp

Date: 5/1/2013
Matchup: Bayern @ Barcelona

Bayern Munich may have already had more than a foot planted in the finals when Arjen Robben decided to show exactly what he was capable of with that left foot of his. A sensational long ball from David Alaba at the halfway line starts the move, and the dept left foot of Arjen Robben finishes it with class. We could watch this one again and again as Robben collects on the edge of the area and leaves the Barcelona defenders in the dust as he cuts inside on his famed left peg. A vintage Arjen Robben curler to start the 3-0 victory on the night, help to finish it 7-0 overall, and emphatically book Bayern's ticket to Wembley Stadium.

4. Toni Kroos Thumps Bayern Into the Lead at the Emirates

Date: 2/19/2013
Matchup: Bayern @ Arsenal

Toni Kroos' early thumper of a volley at the Emirates certainly settled any nerves Bayern Munich might have had going into their first leg encounter with Arsenal in the Round of 16. Quite the way to start the knockout stage on the road, this sensational goal from Kroos helped Bayern cruise to a 3-1 first leg victory. The three precious away goals firmly put Munich within touching distance of the quarters, although the Gunners did put up a valiant effort during the return leg in Munich.

3. Mario Mandzukic Seals the Deal in Turin

Date: 4/10/2013
Matchup: Bayern @ Juventus

Gigi Buffon may have been able to keep out the initial effort from Javi Martinez, but there was little he could do to stop Mario Mandzukic as he flung his entire body at the rebound. This was Bayern's first crucial away goal, which did all but guarantee their spot in the semis against Barcelona.

Mandzukic's header put Bayern up 3-0  overall and allowed them to coast through the remaining 25 minutes in Turin. Bayern showed their adeptness at not only scoring goals at will, but also remaining resolute at the other end of the pitch. In a combined four matches Die Roten managed to give up zero goals to the Spanish and Italian domestic champions, putting up seven and four goals respectively in the deepest stages of the greatest club competition on the planet.

2. David Alaba Puts Bayern in the Ascendancy in Munich

Date: 4/2/2013
Matchup: Juventus @ Bayern

There's getting on the board early, and then there's getting on the board early. This David Alaba strike against Juventus came just 23 seconds into Bayern's first leg quarterfinal clash against the Turin side. The perfect dream start at the Allianz Arena, just the slightest deflection from the defender was enough to throw off Juve stalwart Gigi Buffon, and place Bayern on the path towards the semis. What's the old adage? You don't make 100 percent of the shots you don't take. David Alaba was certainly willing to put that to the test with his goal bound effort. Muller would add another in the 63rd as Bayern ran out 2-0 winners on the night.

1. Thomas Muller Heads Bayern in Front in the Semis

Date: 4/23/2013
Matchup: Barcelona @ Bayern

While few could've predicted just how badly Bayern would dominate Spanish giants Barcelona in the semis, this opening goal from Thomas Muller in the 25th minute threw the Allianz Arena crowd into delirium. Little did they know their side would be the only ones to score in the clash, even over the course of both legs. Arjen Robben's cross is wonderfully cushioned down by Brazilian defender Dante, as he puts it on a plate for the arrival of Muller, who's more than capable of doing the rest. Victor Valdes is left with little he can do as the header comes right into his body before being bundled over the line. The first of four on the night, and seven overall.

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