Tenacious Reds seal extra-time victory

FC Bayern's quest for DFB Cup glory remains on course after sealing a dramatic extra-time victory away to Hertha Berlin. Maximilian Mittelstädt and Serge Gnabry traded goals within the first seven minutes, the latter handing Bayern the lead after the restart. Davie Selke sent the tie into extra-time, but Kingsley Coman rewarded Bayern's dominance, heading home the winner.

The German record champions started with Sven Ulreich in goal and Joshua Kimmich, Niklas Süle, Mats Hummels and David Alaba in a back four. Leon Goretzka and Thiago anchored a midfield featuring Gnabry, James and Coman, with Robert Lewandowski as the target man. Franck Ribéry took over from Gnabry in the final minutes of regular time, Javi Martínez and Thomas Müller replacing James and Coman late into extra-time.

Frantic start

The night began with a shock for the Bavarians when Salomon Kalou invited Maximilian Mittelstädt to fire past Ulreich from 20 yards. Bayern replied almost immediately in the frantic opening stages. Hertha failed to clear a Kimmich cross, Gnabry blasting home from 10 yards. The pace dropped a little after the equaliser, with Bayern in the driving seat.

Gnabry, whose goal was a harbinger of an outstanding display, saw an effort blocked before drawing a fine save from netminder Rune Jarstein. James saw a free-kick cleared before he skied an effort, and match official Markus Schmidt blew for half-time.

90 minutes not enough

Gnabry handed Bayern the lead early after the restart, James inviting him to slot past Jarstein. The Hertha keeper only just beat Lewandowski to a Kimmich cross as Bayern were looking to put the game to bed, but then the men from the capital levelled the scores, sub Davie Selke capitalising on a mistake by Hummels and beating Ulreich.

Goretzka miscued a header before James blasted wide, and the Colombian soon miscued another effort with his knee. Bayern camped out in Berlin's half in the closing stages, but Jarstein proved equal to a Coman effort, the match going to extra-time.

Kingsley seals it

Bayern's superior fitness began to tell now, Coman rewarding their dominance. Lewandowski made a fine cut-back following a Goretzka header, Coman beating a number of Hertha men to the ball and nodding home. The Bavarians remained on the front foot, but Hummels and James failed to close out the meeting, and Schmidt blew for full-time.

The German record champions will be back in action in just three days, when they entertain Schalke in the Bundesliga. They will learn the identity of their next cup opponents on Sunday.

Live match report for fcbayern.com by Greg Salmen