Last season the head of Didier Drogba and the right foot of - yes -- Didier Drogba brought tears of utter disbelief to the eyes of every single Bayern Munich player, and indeed fan. It had happened again -- Bayern had lost another Champions League final in dramatic circumstances.
Come Saturday at Wembley, Bayern will have another shot at redemption, and this time against familiar foes - Borussia Dortmund.
There is nothing that either side do not know about each other -- winners of the Bundesliga over the last four years - with two each -- and now here they are playing in the showpiece game of the Champions League, in the first ever all-German final.
Bayern have just had an unbelievable season up to now - romping to the Bundesliga title by a ridiculous 25 points with an equally ridiculous +80 goal difference; but all that will mean nothing if they fail in the biggest game in Europe yet again.
All the signs have pointed to redemption, cruising past two of the top European teams in Juventus and Barcelona in the quarterfinals and semifinals respectively.
The semifinal performance against Barca, in particular, where they won 7-0 on aggregate, was ruthlessness and quality which hasn't been seen for a long time.
This is the one that matters the most - the trophy that was taken away from them twice in the last three seasons. All that will be forgotten if they walk up to the podium as winners after the referee blows the final whistle.
It will not be easy, though, because while Bayern have been impressive, Dortmund have been equally exciting, making them the favorite team for most neutrals.
Jurgen Klopp has steered this young side to the brink of history in remarkable fashion - dropping the likes of Real Madrid, Manchester City and Ajax on the way to the summit clash at Wembley.
There was always rivalry between the two sides as is expected amongst title challengers. But, that rivalry has now been cranked up a few hundred octaves after the Mario Gotze incident.
Bayern triggered the buy-out clause of the talented playmaker without informing Dortmund and the young German international will now be playing for Bayern from next season.
How interesting it would have been to watch Gotze suit up for Dortmund against his soon-to-be team in the pinnacle of the club game.
However, unfortunately, that unique experience will not be witnessed with Gotze ruled out of the final through a hamstring injury that he picked up in the semifinal second leg against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu, while defender Mats Hummels is a major doubt.
All the rest of the players from both sides have been wrapped up in cotton wool, while adding a few prayers to the Gods, in anticipation of the final, with Bayern Munich, alright in the injury department, even if they have to do without long-term absentees Holger Badstuber, who will miss another eight months after undergoing surgery, and Toni Kroos.
This in one way is a dream final - two teams that love to attack, and play the game the way it should be played.
This Bayern side have come here before, they have seen it all twice in the last three years, but they are yet to conquer.
For Dortmund, this is an experience they will want to savor, and because it is a first for them - even if they might be under pressure to emulate the 1997 side - they will play with no worries, unlike Bayern, who could freeze in a major final yet again under the throes of fear.
But then, there is something different about this Bayern vintage - an almost machine-like quality, whose powers seem to only increase with every passing game.
They have brought Arsenal - in the first leg at least - Juventus and Barcelona back down to earth in emphatic style, and they will now be gunning for Dortmund; what will be Klopp and his young side's riposte?
Expected lineups: Borussia Dortmund: Weidenfeller; Piszczek, Subotic, Hummels, Schmelzer; Bender, Gundogan; Blaszczykowski, Reus, Groskreutz; Lewandowski.
Bayern Munich: Neuer; Lahm, Van Buyten, Dante, Alaba; Martinez, Schweinsteiger; Robben, Muller, Ribery; Mandzukic.
Prediction: 3-2 to Bayern Munich after extra time
