Freiburg bowls Bayern and Tuchel out of German Cup tournament after late penalty kick

SC Freiburg has qualified for the semifinals of the German Cup tournament at the expense of Bayern Munich. Thanks to a very late penalty kick, goalkeeper Mark Flekken’s team won 2-1 in Munich.

Flekken had a starting place at the number four of the German league, where Young Germany goalkeeper Noah Atubolu had been under the crossbar the previous two cup matches. However, the Dutch goalie was fished after nineteen minutes after a Dayot Upamecano header.

Bayern, where only De Ligt had a starting place, could not enjoy the lead for long, because less than ten minutes later it was already 1-1 again. Nicolas Höfler knocked the ball from far behind goalkeeper Yann Sommer after poor clearance by the Bayern defense.

Bayern was the dominant side in the sequel, also created chances, but only Benjamin Pavard was very close to a goal. The Frenchman headed onto the crossbar.

Just when both teams were already with their heads at the extension, Freiburg was awarded a penalty kick. Nicolas Höfler saw his shot hit the outstretched hands of Jamal Musiala deep in injury time and the ball went to the spot. Lucas Höler fired a rock-hard shot for the 1-2.

Bayern does get a chance to take revenge very soon, as next Saturday both teams face each other in Freiburg in the league.

The elimination is a big bummer for new coach Thomas Tuchel, who has only been in Bavaria since last week. He started last weekend with a fine victory over rival Dortmund, but now has to swallow the elimination in the cup.

Earlier in the evening, Eintracht Frankfurt had already joined the semifinalists. At home, Union Berlin, where Danilho Doekhi was allowed to play ninety minutes, was beaten 2-0. Sheraldo Becker was substituted fifteen minutes before time.

Big man on the Eintracht side was Randal Kolo Muani. The French international struck twice within a minute and a half.

First he rounded off cleverly after a delightful header from Mario Götze, and ninety seconds later, again on a submission from Götze, he shot the ball over the far-out goalkeeper Lennart Grill.

The other two quarterfinals are scheduled for Wednesday. 1. FC Nürnberg, the number thirteen in the second tier, hosts the Bundesliga’s straggler VfB Stuttgart at home. RB Leipzig, the number five in the Bundesliga, takes on number two Borussia Dortmund in Leipzig.

Sunday’s draw for the semifinals will be played May 2 and 3. The final will take place June 3 at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin.