FCB advance to last sixteen

FC Bayern beat SV Rödinghausen 2-1 on Tuesday evening, sealing their fourth win on the bounce and advancing to the DFB Cup last sixteen. Sandro Wagner put Bayern in front early in the contest, Thomas Müller soon doubling the lead from the spot. The German record champions missed a string of chances, Renato Sanches hitting the crossbar from another penalty. Linus Meyer pulled one back for the fourth-tier outfit after the interval, but Bayern saw it through.

The Bavarians started with Manuel Neuer between the sticks and Rafinha, Niklas Süle, Javi Martínez and David Alaba in a back four. Thiago anchored a midfield featuring Müller, Sanches, Leon Goretzka and Franck Ribéry, with Wagner as lone striker. Joshua Kimmich and Serge Gnabry replaced Goretzka and Thiago midway through the second half, Meritan Shabani taking over from Ribéry in the closing stages.

Two goals before chances go begging

The 16,000 full house who braved driving rain in Osnabrück saw the Reds signal their intent from the off. Bayern camped out in their opponents' half at first and opened the scoring after seven minutes, when Rafinha's defence-splitting pass found Sanches, who invited Wagner to mop up. Sanches was soon hauled down in the Rödinghausen box, Thomas Müller crashing home the ensuing penalty to double the lead.

Bayern were awarded a second penalty when Azur Velagic pushed Goretzka, but Sanches hit the crossbar. The visitors missed a string of chances before the interval, but netminder Niclas Heimann saved from Goretzka and Müller.

On tenterhooks

Bayern were caught cold after half-time, Meyer connecting with a cross and slotting past Neuer. Niko Kovac' troops tried to put the game to bed, Sanches miscuing an effort before an Alaba free-kick went just wide, Ribéry seeing a shot saved before Alaba curled another free-kick wide. Wagner had an effort cleared off the line before match official Timo Gerach blew for full-time.

Bayern will learn the identity of their next cup opponents on Sunday, with the Round of 16 to be staged in February. The Bavarians will be back in action on Saturday, when they entertain Freiburg in the Bundesliga before taking on AEK in the Champions League next Wednesday.

Live match report for fcbayern.com by Greg Salmen