BAYERN GAME
February 2025
A DIFFERENT GAME
Football , which grew in popularity in 1900 , was very different from football today . Five astonishing things that were a matter of course back then .
SEMI-CIRCLE INSTEAD OF A BOX The pitch on which the first Bayern players ran around with a ball basically looked the same as it does today , but there was one obvious difference : until 1902 , the penalty area was not rectangular , but semi-circular . Just like in handball , but a lot bigger .
HAND-BALL UP TO THE HALFWAY LINE Nowadays , if a keeper touches the ball with his hand outside the penalty area , he is shown a red card . In 1900 , however , up to the halfway line , goalkeepers were allowed to play the ball with their hands for a maximum of two seconds . The current rule has been in force since 1903 .
FEWER-THAN-THREE OFFSIDE RULE In 1900 , an attacker was deemed to be offside if he received the ball and at that moment there were fewer than three opposition players between him and the byline . This even applied in a player ‘ s own half . The offside rule that applies today is simpler – fewer than two opponents , in the opposition ‘ s half only – and was only introduced in 1925 .
KEEP THE KNEES COVERED At the turn of the century , the dress code stipulated that footballers ‘ trousers had to reach below the knee . Long-sleeved jerseys were also customary . There were no special goalkeeper jerseys in 1900 , and goalkeepers only had to wear a different colour to the outfield players from 1909 onwards . no way FC Bayern could do that today . I only know Bayern in red . And I ‘ ve never had a hairstyle like this . Phonzy Davies , Konrad Laimer and King Coman have already told me that I look like a gangster from an old film . The look is actually more familiar from Hollywood . It all suits Thomas perfectly , as he ‘ s a bit older ( grins ). TM : Yes , I was actually already playing back then . My parents just lied about my age ( laughs ). AP : What will a football strip look like in 125 years ? Maybe everything will be even shorter ? Trousers and sleeves used to be much longer . Shin guards have also always become smaller in recent years . I ‘ d now like to try out how you can play football in this kit .
In a confined space in front of a historic backdrop , the two pass an original ball back and forth in front of the FC Bayern club media cameras . Wood chips have been spread on the floor – Müller and Pavlović cut a good figure straight away , despite the more than unusual conditions from a different era .
How ’ s it going ? AP : It ‘ s really not as difficult as I would have thought . The only thing that ‘ s a bit annoying is that the ball is laced up . And it ‘ s a bit hard . But apart from that , it ‘ s not bad at all . I could also imagine taking a shot on goal with it . The biggest challenge is the boot , because it goes up a bit at the tip . When playing keepie-uppy , the ball always tends to spin towards your body . TM : Travelling back in time is always exciting . It makes you nostalgic when you experience first-hand what it must have felt like for those founding fathers . We ‘ re simply talking about a completely different time here , both on and off the pitch . That really resonates . What will stick with you when you take the kit off again ? AP : The weight of the boots . Also how unfamiliar the material feels . The trousers are really hard . The shirt is really just a shirt . TM : What sticks in my mind is the history that Bayern stands for . My football knowledge basically started with Bayern ’ s promotion in 1965 . We all know the images from the Grünwalder Stadion . And over the years , I ‘ ve been lucky enough to get to know some of the players from that time . The way this club has developed is phenomenal .
After the photo shoot , the pair walk across the Säbener Straße training grounds to change back into their modern kit . They wear warm hoodies over their nostalgic outfits . Their gaze wanders over an area that has grown over decades and become the home of FC Bayern . In 1900 , none of this was conceivable .
RISK OF INJURY FROM THE BALL In our founding year , there were already guidelines on the size and weight of balls that were similar to those of today . However , the material and processing methods caused problems . When it rained , the ball , which was sewn together from pieces of leather , became soggy and heavy . Headers led to headaches . There was also a risk of injury from the rough stitching that held the ball together .
BACK TO THE BEGINNING Our “ 51 “ retro shoot was a highlight for everyone involved . The video behind the QR code offers an exciting look behind the scenes . 46 FC Bayern Magazine