Epl Clubs
Discover the Best Soccer Team in the World 2020 and Why They Dominated
I remember sitting in my living room back in early 2020, confidently telling my football-obsessed nephew that this would finally be Liverpool's year to dominate European football. The Reds had been building momentum for seasons, and with their Premier League performance looking unstoppable, I was convinced they'd sweep every major trophy. Unfortunately, it didn't turn out to be that way. The team that truly defined 2020 wasn't the one most pundits predicted at the start of the season. Instead, Bayern Munich emerged as the undeniable powerhouse, creating what I believe was one of the most complete football machines we've seen in modern times.
When I look back at Bayern's 2020 campaign, what strikes me most is how they peaked at exactly the right moment. While other clubs were struggling with the unprecedented disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Bayern used the forced break to refine their tactics and return even stronger. Their Champions League performance was nothing short of spectacular - they won every single match in the competition, becoming the first team to achieve a 100% record en route to the title. I've been following European football for over twenty years, and I've never seen such dominance in the knockout stages. They scored 43 goals while conceding only 8 throughout the entire tournament, including that memorable 8-2 victory over Barcelona that felt like watching a historic changing of the guard.
What made Bayern truly special wasn't just their results but how they achieved them. Hansi Flick transformed a team that was struggling earlier in the season into a perfectly oiled machine. His tactical system created what I consider the most effective high-press I've witnessed since Pep Guardiola's Barcelona. The way they hunted in packs, the coordinated movements, the instantaneous transitions from defense to attack - it was footballing poetry. Robert Lewandowski was absolutely phenomenal, scoring 55 goals across all competitions with a conversion rate of approximately 28%, but what impressed me more was how every player understood their role perfectly. Thomas Müller's renaissance as a creative force, Joshua Kimmich's intelligence in midfield, Alphonso Davies' explosive runs down the left - they complemented each other like pieces in a perfect puzzle.
The numbers behind their success are staggering when you really dig into them. Bayern completed the 2019-20 season with a 92% win rate in the Bundesliga, averaging 3.2 goals per game while conceding just 0.9. Their possession statistics hovered around 65% throughout their Champions League campaign, but what's more telling is their pass completion rate in the final third - an impressive 82% that demonstrates their precision where it matters most. These aren't just good numbers; they're historically significant figures that place this Bayern squad among the all-time great teams.
From my perspective as someone who's analyzed football tactics for various publications, Bayern's dominance stemmed from their adaptability. They could dismantle you through patient buildup or destroy you on the counter-attack. They pressed relentlessly but with intelligent positioning rather than mindless running. I remember watching their 3-0 victory against Lyon in the Champions League semifinal and thinking how they'd completely neutralized Lyon's dangerous attack while systematically breaking down their defense. It was a masterclass in tactical flexibility.
Their triumph in the Champions League final against PSG showcased their mental strength as much as their technical quality. Facing a team with Neymar and Mbappé, Bayern maintained their discipline and playing philosophy despite PSG's early chances. Kingsley Coman's winning goal felt almost inevitable the way the match was progressing. That 1-0 victory completed a treble that included the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal, making them only the second German team to achieve this feat.
What many casual observers miss when discussing Bayern's 2020 dominance is the role their squad depth played. While their starting eleven rightfully received most plaudits, players like Serge Gnabry (who scored 9 Champions League goals) and Leon Goretzka (whose physical transformation during the pandemic break became stuff of legend) provided quality that most opponents couldn't match even with their best players. The way they managed to maintain intensity throughout compressed schedules demonstrated a fitness level that I haven't seen replicated since.
Looking back, I'm convinced Bayern's 2020 team set a new benchmark for what's possible in modern football. They combined German efficiency with breathtaking attacking football in a way that felt unique to their era. While Liverpool had their moments and Real Madrid were rebuilding, Bayern created a perfect storm of tactical innovation, individual brilliance, and collective understanding. Two years later, I still find myself rewatching their matches from that season when I need to demonstrate what peak football performance looks like. They didn't just win matches; they defined an approach to the game that influenced how many teams now think about pressing, transitions, and tactical flexibility. In my book, that's what separates great teams from truly dominant ones.