In a dramatic DFB Pokal clash on Tuesday, Bayern Munich were eliminated by Bayer Leverkusen, who secured a 1-0 victory despite being on the back foot for much of the match.
The match, which saw Bayern reduced to 10 men, ended Bayern’s hopes of another domestic trophy this season and extended Leverkusen’s impressive run in the competition.
Early Setback: Neuer’s Red Card
Bayern Munich, the reigning holders of the Bundesliga, found themselves in a challenging position early in the match. Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer received a straight red card in the 17th minute after a reckless bodycheck on Jeremie Frimpong outside the penalty area. The incident marked the first red card of Neuer’s illustrious career. Reflecting on the situation, the 38-year-old keeper stated, “I tried to get to the ball but didn’t get there in time. I was hoping he would be in an offside position. I can’t change it now. It was a mistake, and I have to accept it.”
With the hosts down to 10 men, reserve goalkeeper Daniel Peretz was substituted in for Leroy Sane, as Bayern had to adjust their strategy. Despite the early setback, the Bavarians had the better chances in the first half through Kingsley Coman, Konrad Laimer, and Leon Goretzka, but none of them could convert.
Leverkusen’s Resilience and Tella’s Decisive Moment
Despite being a man up, Leverkusen struggled to find rhythm in the first half. “It was not our best game with the ball or even with an extra man but we applied our plan,” said Leverkusen defender Jonathan Tah.
The team’s efforts were hindered by a frantic pace in their play, which prevented them from taking full advantage of their numerical superiority. However, the match turned in the 69th minute when substitute Nathan Tella, who had come on just eight minutes earlier, headed in a perfectly delivered cross from Alex Grimaldo.
The goal came somewhat against the run of play, as Bayern had continued to dominate possession, but failed to convert their opportunities. Tella’s goal was the only one of the match, sending Leverkusen into the quarter-finals and keeping their hopes of retaining the German Cup alive.
Bayern’s Struggles and Leverkusen’s Confidence
Bayern, now facing a one-goal deficit and playing with a man down, struggled to break down Leverkusen’s defense in the final stages. A last-minute curling effort from Michael Olise nearly found the equalizer, but it was not enough to keep the Bavarians in the competition. Leverkusen, in contrast, held firm to secure the win.
For Bayern Munich, the defeat is a bitter pill to swallow. It marks their first loss this season in both the league and the cup. Moreover, the result extends Bayern’s German Cup quarter-final curse, as they have not made it past that stage since their last title in 2020. Leverkusen’s head coach, Xabi Alonso, continued his perfect record in the competition, having won all nine of his German Cup matches as a manager.
Leverkusen’s Victory and Bayern’s Missed Opportunity
The 1-0 win at the Allianz Arena was a crucial moment for Bayer Leverkusen as they eliminated the favorites, Bayern Munich, from the German Cup. For the hosts, this defeat is a significant blow to their ambitions of winning another trophy this season, and the suspension of their captain Neuer will undoubtedly leave a void in their defense. Meanwhile, Bayer Leverkusen’s victory serves as a testament to their resilience and effective tactical approach, keeping them firmly on course for another deep run in the tournament.
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