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