'We live for Bayern': Father & son on a special cup tour | OneFootball

FC Bayern fans travel from all over the world to support their team at away matches – even if they have to travel hundreds of kilometres by Autobahn or rail, or across oceans and deserts. We want to get to know those who spare no effort or expense to see their beloved Bayern away from the Allianz Arena a little better: our away fans with their special stories, their love and their passion for FC Bayern.

When Pascal and his father Andreas from Worms are on the road, it's usually with one goal in mind: to experience FC Bayern first-hand. On Wednesday evening, their journey took them to the BayArena, to a thrilling cup evening: a semi-final, a knockout tie, Bayer 04 vs. FC Bayern, an exhilarating fixture - and Leverkusen is actually also much closer than Munich for the two of them. And yet the longing for the Allianz Arena is always there.

It's around 400 kilometres from Worms to Munich, and father and son make the long journey up to three times a year. Pascal's mum often comes along too, even though there are only two tickets for fans with disabilities – one for the wheelchair user and one for the carer companion. "If we don't have a third ticket, my wife comes along anyway, she's also a big Bayern fan," says Andreas. Then either dad or mum waits in the car for the 90 minutes and it's just a case of cheering along while tuned into the web radio: "That's not a problem, it's just the way it is."

Sometimes they take a day off, often they set off after work and return late at night - with little sleep, but a whole load of passion: lots of coffee, long journeys, full stadiums, absolute enthusiasm for FC Bayern. Away trips to Mainz, Frankfurt, Stuttgart or like now to Leverkusen in the cup. Dortmund, Freiburg or Bremen are still on the wish list, "but it doesn't matter, it's always an experience, no matter where we go," says Pascal.

This love for FC Bayern has its roots in the 70s, characterised by the record champions' glory days. Through grandad, dad and finally Pascal, the passion was passed on from generation to generation. It's more than just watching: "We live for Bayern. I root for them, I cry too - for me, there's only Bayern," says Pascal. He recently celebrated his 34th birthday and FC Bayern ‘gifted’ him a home win against Real Madrid as a present for his special day: "It doesn't get any better than this."

A special favourite player? Today perhaps Harry Kane or Konrad Laimer ("a real fighter who's sometimes underestimated", says Pascal). Earlier, it was Arjen Robben - but in the end it's the team that counts most.

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Pascal has collected more than 30 jerseys, and every year he wants all three versions - with the support of his family, who consistently think of gifts in red and white. "The first jerseys were in children's sizes," says Pascal, with ‘Scholl’ or 'Ballack' on the back. This time round in Leverkusen it's ‘Olise’. Because of his walking disability, planning visits to the stadium is more complex, with breaks and assistance having to be factored in. But that's exactly what makes big arenas like the ones in Munich or Leverkusen possible for him in the first place - and opens the door to many special experiences.

In two weeks, Pascal and Andreas are now hoping to get tickets for the cup final in Berlin. "That would be a huge dream!" says Pascal. It would mean lots more kilometres, giving everything for FC Bayern once again - so the next big footballing experience can be added to the list. And this time, even with the cup win...

Our journey back to Berlin: Bayern’s emotional cup night in Leverkusen