Battling Bayer 04 exit DFB Pokal after 2-0 defeat to FC Bayern

Head coach Kasper Hjulmand made one change to the starting XI compared with the 2-1 defeat against FC Augsburg at the weekend: Loïc Badé made way for captain Robert Andrich to play in central defence. In contrast to the game against FC Augsburg, the Black and Reds initially allowed the visitors the ball and waited to launch quick counter-attacks.

Flekken makes saves – narrow deficit at half-time

Bayern Munich had the first two efforts on goal with keeper Mark Flekken making impressive saves to deny Luis Diaz (16’) and Harry Kane (17’). However, the Dutchman stood no chance shortly after those two chances: FC Bayern's Jamal Musiala again found Kane in the centre and he gave FCB the lead (21’). Bayer 04 endeavoured to put the goal conceded behind them and continued to defend passionately against the pressing visitors. Bayern Munich did not create any further clear-cut chances, but Leverkusen's counter-attacks also failed to create the desired danger. Kane had the last chance before the break, but missed the target (40') - the half-time score was 1-0 to FCB.

Werkself keen to attack – late decider

Bayer 04 came out for the second half looking to attack, but also remained alert in their own penalty area. Four minutes after the restart, Andrich cleared a Musiala lob just in front of the goal line. Leverkusen then established a foothold in the Bayern half for a few minutes and had their first shot on goal - that posed a real threat: FCB keeper Manuel Neuer just managed to keep out the powerful shot from Nathan Tella (52'). At the other end, Flekken won another duel with Kane ten minutes later.

The Werkself remained committed and increasingly kept possession - and in their opponents' half. On 70 minutes, a header from Patrik Schick went just wide of the Bayern goal. Although the Black and Reds gave their all in the final minutes of the game, they were unable to create any more clear goalscoring opportunities. Instead, the visitors scored in stoppage time through Diaz (90+3’) in a counter-attack. As a result, the Werkself miss out on a second final appearance in three years.

next up: away at FC Köln, then home to RB Leipzig

The next Bundesliga fixtures await the Werkself: On Saturday, 25 April, Bayer 04 are away to FC Köln at the RheinEnergieSTADION at 15:30 CEST. A week later, the Black and Reds welcome RB Leipzig, a direct rival in the race for Champions League qualification, to the BayArena. The kick-off on Saturday, 2 May, is at 18:30 CEST - There are still a few tickets available HERE.

Match stats:

Bayer 04: Flekken - Quansah, Andrich (Andrich 84’), Tapsoba - Vázquez (Poku 38’), Palacios, Garcia, Grimaldo - Maza, Tella (Culbreath 76’) - Schick

FC Bayern: Neuer - Stanisic, Upamecano, Tah, Laimer (Davies 73’) - Kimmich, Pavlovic (Goretzka 73’) - Olise, Musiala (Kim 84’), Diaz - Kane

Goals: 0-1 Kane (21’), 0-2 Diaz (90+3’)

Yellow cards: Tapsoba, Grimaldo - Pavlovic

Referee: Felix Zwayer (Berlin)

Attendance: 30,210 (sold out) at the BayArena