On-fire Reds breeze past Paderborn

FC Bayern advanced to the DFB Cup semi-finals for the ninth time on the bounce, beating Paderborn 6-0 in Tuesday evening's quarter-final. Kingsley Coman opened the floodgates midway through the first half, Robert Lewandowski and Joshua Kimmich soon extending Bayern's lead. Corentin Tolisso and two-goal Arjen Robben added gloss to the scoreline in the second half.

Bayern started with Sven Ulreich in goal and Kimmich, Niklas Süle, Mats Hummels and David Alaba in a back four. Arturo Vidal anchored a midfield featuring Robben, Thomas Müller, James and Coman, with Lewandowski as an orthodox centre-forward.

Jupp Heynckes made seven changes to the XI that saw off Mainz on Saturday. Kimmich, Süle, Alaba, Vidal, Robben, Coman and Lewandowski took over from Rafinha, Jérôme Boateng, Juan Bernat, Sebastian Rudy, Tolisso, Franck Ribéry and Sandro Wagner.

Three up at the break

The 15,000 capacity crowd at the Benteler Arena saw a highly entertaining contest with Bayern signalling their intent from the off, and the third-tier hosts by no means parking the bus. Barely two minutes had been played when Lewandowski warmed the gloves of Paderborn netminder Michael Ratajczak. But Bayern were almost in for a shock when Paderborn netted following a set piece, only for the linesman to raise his flag. However, the minnows had smelled blood and upped the pressure, but Robben soon charged down the right and hit the side-netting before Coman drew a fine save from Ratajczak.

The German record champions opened the scoring when Coman capitalised on a mix-up in the hosts' box. Lewandowski doubled the lead five minutes later, excelling when he connected to a Coman cross with a fine first touch before firing past Ratajczak. Tolisso replaced Müller, who had taken a knock in the move that led to the opener. Kimmich all but closed out the meeting shortly before half-time when he latched onto a brilliantly perceptive Hummels through-ball. With all eyes on Lewandowski lurking in the middle, the youngster sprang a surprise, firing past Ratajczak and in at the near post, before match official Markus Schmidt blew for half-time.

Three more after half-time

The contest may have been put to bed in terms of the scoreline, but both sides kept going after the interval. Paderborn's Sebastian Schonlau saw a header go wide before a Lewandowski shot was blocked, Ratajczak stretching out a hand to deny Tolisso. But the Frenchman had not had enough yet, rising high to head home after the ensuing corner.

The hosts went looking for a consolation goal now, Ben Zolinski's effort from the edge of the box crashing off the post, the rebound going over the bar. A Robben curler forced a fine save from Ratajczak, and Bayern slowy but surely imposed their passing game, patiently dominating possession, Rudy taking over from James for a more defensive formation.

Paderborn had a gilt-edged chance with ten minutes to go, but Phillip Tietz miscued with the goal at his mercy after a stray Süle pass. Ribéry replaced Coman, and Robben had plenty more salt to rub into the minnows' wounds, smashing a majestic curler into the top corner of the net following his signature move before tapping in from point-blank range only two minutes later. With the half-dozen up, Schmidt put the courageous home side out of their misery.

The draw for the semi-finals takes place on 11 February. The Bavarians are back in action on Saturday evening, when they entertain Schalke in the Bundesliga.

Live match report for fcbayern.com by Greg Salmen