Bayern Munich beat Borussia Dortmund with 0:1 in the DFB-Pokal quarter-final after a brilliant Robben strike in the 43rd minute. It was a feeling of revenge for FC Bayern Munich after last season’s DFB Cup final defeat (5:2) and underlined their status as the best team in Germany.
Bayern started with Mandzukic on top and Robben and Muller on the wings. Dortmund manager Klopp had to replace defender Matt Hummels with Santana do to the virus infection. Also, Robert Lewandowski started up front. The polish striker has been in the center of attention in recent weeks after rumor of a potential Bayern move in the summer.
Bayern started well into the game and Muller and Robben had the first chance in the 4th and 7th minute. In the 13th minute, it was Kroos who missed an empty goal by inches after a great Lahm cross. Dortmund had to thank keeper Weidenfeller that the game was still even especially after Martinez showed up in front of him in the 36th minute. Dortmund was nowhere to be seen. Robben played one of his best games this season and always put pressure on Dortmund. Finally, Arjen Robben scored the Bayern lead with a curling strike from 20 yards in the 43rd minute.
Borussia Dortmund came back stronger in the second half and came to their first chances through Gundogan and Reus. Bayern had multiple chances to extend the lead through Kroos (59th), van Buyten (71st) and Dante (80th), but were able to take the lead over the full 90 minutes.
Jupp Heynckes said after the game: “All credit to my lads! My team showed we’re not only capable of good and attractive football at the moment, we can scrap too. I think we deserved the win. It was a very intense match between two top-class teams. Ultimately, we were the one goal better. We had more chances in the first half.”
It was a great game by Bayern Munich which proved once again that they are the top team in Germany. The draw for the semi-finals, where 15-time winners FCB will face Freiburg, Wolfsburg or Stuttgart, takes place on Sunday evening. Bayern will play Arsenal in the second leg of the last 16 at the Allianz Arena on March 13th.
Dortmund ill have to recover from the defeat. They face Hannover in the Bundesliga on Satruday, March 2nd and Shakhtar Donesk in the Champions League on March 5th.