An impressive team performance, effective finishing and an outstanding keeper. That's a short but clear description of the 6-2 victory for FC Bayern in the DFB Cup semi-final tie against Bayer Leverkusen on 17 April 2018. "That was a demonstration of the team's quality of football," enthused chairman of the board Karl-Heinz Rummenigge back then.
Müller hat-trick, Lewandowski bags brace
Bayern played some brilliant football and went ahead on three minutes through Robert Lewandowski. The Poland international doubled his tally six minutes later to make it 2-0. In the second half, a hat-trick from Thomas Müller (52', 64', 78') and a strike from Thiago (61') secured an overwhelming final result. "It was a demonstration of football for much of the game. We produce an absolutely top performance against a good opponent," said coach Jupp Heynckes in praising his team.
Open game between two strong teams
The Werkself certainly had their chances. Sven Bender (16') pulled back a goal for the hosts to make it 2-1 and Leon Bailey scored on 72 minutes to make it 5-2 with a magical strike from a free kick. "That was a good advert for German football," declared Thomas Müller after a game that saw two teams going all out for the win.
Sven Ulreich on top form
Leverkusen had other decent goalscoring opportunities but Sven Ulreich, replacing the injured Manuel Neuer in goal for Bayern, was playing a blinder. Again and again, the shot-stopper produced some incredible saves and reflexes to prevent concealing any more goals.
"I think he's outstanding," Heynckes said in highlighting his goalkeeper against the background of an impressive team performance. Bayern moved the ball and the opposition around really well. "The dominance, efficiency and desire in a game like that was impressive," said the Leverkusen coach Heiko Herrlich full of respect for his opponent. FCB were simply too strong on the day and deservedly went through to the final.
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