Bayern knocked out of DFB Cup by Freiburg

FC Bayern’s DFB Cup journey for 2022/23 was ended at the quarter-final stage after a 2-1 defeat at home to Freiburg. Dayot Upamecano’s header had put the 20-time winners ahead before Nicolas Höfler’s hit from 20 yards levelled things in the first half. But Jamal Musiala was penalised for handball in added time of the second half, with Lucas Höler converting the decisive penalty five minutes beyond the 90 to eliminate Bayern.

Coach Thomas Tuchel made one change from the side that beat Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga at the weekend, with Joao Cancelo replacing Alphonso Davies at left-back. Yann Sommer was in goal again behind a back four of Benjamin Pavard, Upamecano, Matthijs de Ligt and Cancelo. Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka were the midfield duo, with Kingsley Coman, Thomas Müller and Leroy Sane playing off striker Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting.

A first half that eventually got going

Bayern dominated the play in the opening stages, coming close to an early blow when Coman’s chipped ball just evaded the head of Goretzka. Clear-cut chances remained at a premium, with neither side able to string together telling passing sequences. It was ultimately a corner that brought FCB their first big chance, with Upamecano meeting Kimmich’s in-swinging delivery to head past goalkeeper Mark Flekken with 19 minutes gone.

However, the lead was short-lived as Höfler chested down a clearance on the edge of the box and struck an unstoppable half volley into the far corner of Sommer’s net shortly before the half-hour mark. But Bayern still had two more good chances to restore their advantage before the break. Choupo-Moting came within inches of connecting with Müller’s square ball, before the captain himself saw a rebounded effort cleared off the line by defender Matthias Ginter on the stroke of half-time.

No way through until penalty settles tie

Both sides returned looking to get forward and put this quarter-final to bed, but Freiburg soon fell back into formation and Bayern took back control of the play. At times it was only Sommer left in FCB’s half as the hosts banged on the door. Pavard came closest with a header from a Kimmich free-kick that hit the top of the crossbar.

The game looked destined for extra-time until Musiala was adjudged to have handled a Höfler shot inside the penalty area. Referee Harm Osmers pointed to the spot with 92 minutes on the clock. Up stepped Höler to smash the ball into the roof of the net and end Bayern’s dreams of DFB Cup glory.

The sides meet again on Saturday, this time in Freiburg in the Bundesliga, as Bayern look to defend their two-point advantage at the top of the table.