Aachen has proved Bayern’s DFB Cup graveyard twice in the last seven years, but there was no repeat of second division Alemannia’s giant-killing in Wednesday night’s quarter-final tie, as the holders from Munich progressed to the last four with only the minimum of fuss.
The 32,190 capacity crowd at the superbly appointed New Tivoli saw Bayern bide their time for the first quarter of the game, before Mario Gomez clinically opened the scoring on 26 minutes. The visitors comfortably protected the lead through to half-time and might have gone two up straight after the restart, but the minnows made a real fight of it after the hour mark and young Thomas Kraft pulled off a couple of crucial saves.
Bayern duly weathered the storm, and sub Arjen Robben set up Thomas Müller to double the lead 15 minutes from time. The Germany international completed his brace to put the issue beyond doubt with ten minutes left, and Robben confirmed his astonishing recovery of form after his six-month lay-off with a fourth at the death as the Bavarians made the cup semi-finals for a record 22nd time.
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