The spectators in the ground and watching on TV rubbed their eyes in disbelief. Could that really be David Alaba? It was. Just 19 years old, but already as crafty as a grizzled veteran, the Austrian was the first to stride up to the penalty spot – and coolly tucked the ball away. It was the start of a devastatingly efficient shoot-out for Bayern, as Franck Ribéry, Philipp Lahm and Toni Kroos made no mistake from the spot, while Gladbach’s Dante missed the target and Havard Nordtveit was foiled by Manuel Neuer.
At the end, there was no containing the jubilation over the Reds’ 4-2 win on penalties over Borussia Mönchengladbach in the DFB Cup semi-final. “It’s an amazing feeling,” Mario Gomez declared on behalf of his team-mates, “we’re absolutely elated.” Director of sport Christian Nerlinger, who had an added cause for celebration on his birthday, made no secret of his pleasure: “We’re overjoyed about achieving our dream of getting to Berlin.” The capital will host the final between the competition’s most successful club and current league leaders Borussia Dortmund on May 12.
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