Bayern's rollercoaster ride against Heidenheim

"I've never seen a match like this," former FCB coach Niko Kovač said after the final whistle. 3 April 2019 was packed with action. FC Bayern beat FC Heidenheim 5-4, advancing to the DFB Cup semi-finals. But hardly anyone had expected the long and nerve-wracking way to the last four.

Pendulum swings the other way

It was Bayern's first and only competititve match against Heidenheim so far. Nobody had any doubts that the German record champions would beat the second-division side to go through to the last four. Everything went according to plan when Leon Goretzka handed Bayern the lead after 11 minutes. But the tide turned only four minutes later, when Niklas Süle was sent off for a last-man challenge. Heidenheim's Robert Glatzel made the most of the situation, levelling the scores before the half-hour. The German record champions got a grip again, but then Marc Schnatterer scored on the break to put FCH in front.

No breather

Lewandowski header, Müller fires on the spin: a sumptuous goal to level the scores.

Kovač introduced Kingsley Coman and Robert Lewandowski at half-time. Munich went on the attack despite being a man down, and they were soon rewarded. Thomas Müller, Lewandowski and Serge Gnabry turned the game on its head, Bayern being 4-2 in the lead midway through the second half.

On tenterhooks

But those who thought the record cup winners would run down the clock were wrong. Heidenheim's Glatzel struck twice to level the scores again. Extra time was looming a few days before the top clash against Dortmund. Both sides were looking to close out the meeting in regular time and had their chances. Bayern were awarded a penalty for handball after 83 minutes, Lewandowski coolly converting. This time Bayern did not squander their lead, winning 5-4. "It was a wild, open match, I don't like it this way," commented Kovač. But the fans at the Allianz Arena were treated to a thrilling rollercoaster ride with a happy end for Bayern.