In memory of Bavarian Football Factory community member Marco Polo, who had an incredible hatred Don’t like Werder Bremen, Bayern Munich’s opponents this weekend, and we want to know who you can’t stand the most.
Every football fan has one. Maybe two. Sometimes it’s the entire list.
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Not one that stems from decades of heartbreaking, history-defining rivalry – but a club that makes you roll your eyes the moment you see their crest. As Bayern Munich supporters, we are used to being other people’s villains. But even Bayern Munich fans have some completely irrational resentments.
In Germany, the obvious answer is Borussia Dortmund. The rivalry is real, emotional, and historic — so maybe the rivalry isn’t irrational after all. The same is true, but to a lesser extent, for RB Leipzig, where sporting tensions intersect with wider debates about tradition and identity. But the irrational disgust often lies elsewhere: Werder Bremen, perhaps.*cough*Marco Polo*cough) or Wolfsburg.
Outside of Germany, things become more personal – and possibly illogical. Some Bayern Munich fans can’t stand Real Madrid, even if they respect their dominance in the Champions League. Too many dramatic European nights, too many late goals, too much history clashing with Bayern Munich’s own ambitions. Others reserve this emotional sigh for Chelsea, with memories of finals, semi-finals and sheer resilience still lingering.
There are also aversions that make little logical sense. Maybe it’s Arsenal – not because of the rivalry, but because of the style of play, the colours, or the social media fan encounters from a decade ago. Perhaps PSG represents the excesses of modern football in a way that feels a little uncomfortable, even if Bayern Munich is a global powerhouse in its own right. Or Manchester City, whose brilliance is undeniable but still manages to stir up a strange, indefinable annoyance.
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And, of course, there is FC Barcelona, a club that has experienced both painful defeats and exhilarating victories. Depending on the year, the feeling wavers between admiration and inexplicable annoyance. Football sentiment is rarely unanimous.
Irrational disgust is fascinating because it says more about fan love than it does about football. Supporting Bayern Munich means living at the top, where every opponent becomes a measuring stick and every European game leaves an emotional residue. The little moments add up over time: controversial referee calls, over-the-top celebrations, pundit commentary. None of this really matters – but somehow they do.
So which club do you have an irrational dislike for? Not historical rivals. Not logical enemies. Someone who just bothers you for reasons you can’t explain. Because in football, as in life, emotion doesn’t always follow reason – and honestly, if it did, the game would be a lot less fun.
If you’re looking for more Bayern Munich and Germany national team coverage, check out the latest episodes of Bavarian Podcast Works, available on Acast, Spotify, Apple or any of the leading podcast distributors…
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