Ten-man Reds edge out bold Heidenheim

FC Bayern beat 1. FC Heidenheim 5-4 on Wednesday evening, advancing to the DFB Cup semi-finals for the tenth time in a row. Leon Goretzka handed Bayern an early lead, but Niklas Süle soon saw the red card, with Heidenheim's Robert Glatzel and Marc Schnatterer turning the tide before half-time. Thomas Müller, Robert Lewandowski and Serge Gnabry all netted for Bayern after the restart, but two further goals by Glatzel levelled the scores. When Lewandowski converted a penalty it meant an incredible match ended in a 5-4 victory for Bayern. No, the match did not go to extra time and penalties, the final scoreline notwithstanding.

The Bavarians started with Sven Ulreich in goal and Joshua Kimmich, Süle, Mats Hummels and Rafinha in a back four. Thiago and Goretzka anchored a midfield featuring Müller, James and Franck Ribéry, with Gnabry up front. Jérôme Boateng came on for Franck Ribéry midway through the first half, Lewandowski and Kingsley Coman taking over from Rafinha and James at half-time, with Bayern playing with a back three in the second half.

Red for Süle, Heidenheim bounce back

The 75,000 capacity crowd at the Allianz Arena saw Bayern go straight onto the front foot against the bold visitors. Everything went according to plan at first, Goretzka handing Bayern an early lead when he headed home a Kimmich corner. However, a red card was not part of the plan. Süle upended Andrich at the edge of the box, match official Guido Winkmann showing him yellow at first but handing Süle his marching orders after VAR intervention. Schnatterer hit the bar from the ensuing free-kick.

The minnows were buoyed by their numerical superiority, Dovedan drawing a fine save from Ulreich, but Glatzel soon levelled the scored when he headed past Ulreich following a long cross. Bayern's sloppy passing was a problem throughout the first half, and Schnatterer punished Bayern following a bad pass, slotting past Ulreich to put Heidenheim in front.

Late twist

The decimated hosts went looking for a reply, and Müller levelled the scores again when he acrobatically fired home following a Lewandowski pass. The roles were reversed minutes later, when Müller invited the Poland captain to slot home and turn the tide.

Bayern engaged cruise control now and let the ball do the work. Kimmich found Hummels in the box, the centre-back inviting Gnabry to find the net. The linesman had his flag up but the goal rightfully stood after another VAR intervention.

Later twist

Glatzel pulled one back out of the blue, beating Ulreich from 20 yards. Heidenheim were buoyed by the goal, and when Hummels upended Multhaup in the box, Glatzel converted the ensuing penalty to level the scores again. Gnabry soon hit the bar at the other end, Goretzka miscuing the rebound. Heidenheim's hat-trick man Glatzel forced a fine block from Ulreich, Boateng scrambling the rebound off the line.

Bayern were awarded a penalty for handball, Lewandowski converting from the spot before Gnabry hit the bar in the closing stages, and when Winkmann blew for full-time an unbelievable match ended in a 5-4 victory for Bayern.

The German record champions will be back in action on Saturday, when they take on Dortmund in a mouth-watering top-of-the-table clash. Bayern will learn the identity of their next opponents on the road to Berlin on Sunday evening.

Live match report for fcbayern.com by Greg Salmen