Review: FC Bayern Munich home jersey 11-12 +12-13
By MM Sports FC Bayern ambassador Ben Roden, Utah, USA
“The price of success is sometimes suffocating expectation. So it seems to be with Bayern München. After a disappointing finish in last year’s Bundesliga campaign, and a heartbreaking exit from the Champions League, questions are being raised by pundits and fans alike: how can a team with so much history and so much talent fall short? After a busy transfer period and some strong signings, Die Roten now hope to quiet their critics and appease their restless supporters with a strong campaign.
With Bayern challenging for silverware on multiple fronts, Allianz Arena will need to become a fortress for Bayern to succeed; appropriately, they will take to the home pitch in a kit that represents the legacy of Germany’s most successful club.
While previous kits have paid tribute to Bayern’s historical kits in literal terms, (the red and white stripes of the 10/11 home kit, for example) this year’s Adidas kit utilizes a simple design and important details to create a more spiritual successor to previous classics.
The color template is red and gold – the bright red of recent years has been replaced with a deep cardinal, accented with subtle stripes and gold details. The color, while a slight deviation from the norm pays tribute to tradition, while the gold stripes and lettering represent FCB’s numerous trophies, both past and future.
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The quality of the garment itself is excellent. The kit features Adidas’ ClimaCool fabric and vent panels for comfort, and a fairly traditional fit. The sponsor, crest, and name/number are of top quality and are integrated perfectly into the kit. The text on the back of the jersey is printed in metallic gold, and a small Bayern crest is stamped into each number. The club’s name is printed across the shoulders, while the player’s name is printed just below the number in the same distinctive font.
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As is common with many Adidas designs, Bayern’s kit features a number of unique and impressive details that are unique to the club. Bayern is known to many as “Rekordmeister,” or in English, “Record Champion,” a title which refers to their numerous cups and titles – this nickname is emblazoned in a gold strip on the back collar of the kit.
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On the inside of the collar is the club’s motto – “Mia san mia,” a Bavarian phrase roughly translated as “We are who we are,” a further symbol of the club’s identity.
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Even the vertical stripes on the front of the kit echo the checker of the Bavarian flag found in the team’s crest.
These details are small but well executed, enriching the overall design of the kit rather than distracting from it.
Overall, this is one of the best Bayern Munich kits in years –elegant, timeless and powerful. Striking a perfect balance between simplicity and character, the kit perfectly captures the current aim of FC Bayern –drawing on the strength of Bayern’s legacy while looking ahead to the future.
Overall Rating: 10/10″