Bayer Leverkusen kept their German Cup title defence alive and advanced to the quarter-finals after a 1-0 win against 10-man Bayern Munich on Tuesday, with goalkeeper Manuel Neuer receiving the first red card of his career.
Last season's runners-up VfB Stuttgart also reached the next round after a 3-0 win against Jahn Regensburg, but Freiburg are out following a shocking 3-1 defeat at third-division side Arminia Bielefeld.
Werder Bremen, meanwhile, claimed a dramatic 1-0 win against Darmstadt thanks to Anthony Jung's goal in stoppage time.
Bayern pay high price for Neuer's first-ever red card
Bayern were in numerical disadvantage since the 17th minute, when goalkeeper Manuel Neuer saw the first red card of his career for tackling Jeremie Frimpong just outside the box.
Frimpong made it through the Bayern defence and rushed to the penalty area, but he was tackled by Neuer. The goalkeeper received a straight red.
Leroy Sané had to go and make way for goalkeeper Daniel Peretz, who made a good save to deny Frimpong the opener for Leverkusen in the 32nd.
Th Bavarians saw less of the ball in the minutes following the red card, but in the final moments of the first half, one could barely notice that they had only 10 men on the pitch.
They even had chances to break the deadlock, when Leon Goretzka's header from close range forced Matej Kovar to make a great save in the 43rd or when Minjae Kim's effort went narrowly off the post.
But Bayern could not find a reaction and avoid defeat as Nathan Tella scored Leverkusen's winner in the 69th. Alejandro Grimaldo delivered a superb cross to the area, where Tella finished it off with a header
"We wanted to win, that was clear. This year it's been even more difficult to play against Bayern, but the task was well done," Leverkusen defender Jonathan Tah told broadcasters Sky.
"(The Cup) It's the easiest title to win, because you play less games. Of course we want to hold the trophy again," he said.
Midfielder Robert Andrich admitted that "it wasn't a good game from us," but added: "You can talk about luck, but in the end we won. If it was deserved or not, we're through."
This is the fourth time in five seasons that Bayern fail to reach the Cup quarter-finals – a period that included three exits in the second round.
"Of course it was not so easy with the red card. We tried, but the red card of course hurts," Neuer said after being sent off for the first time in 841 matches, including those with the Germany national team.
He tried to explain the situation, saying that he wasn't actively trying to hurt the opponent, but he also didn't reach the ball.
"I was hoping it could be an offside. In the end, we simply have to accept it," he said.
Bayern board member for sport Max Eberl praised the team, saying: "The reaction was incredible. The team clearly showed it wanted to win the game."
Stuttgart's title hopes alive
Stuttgart, meanwhile, didn't face much trouble against second-division side Regensburg.
Enzo Millot broke the deadlock for the guests in the 10th minute and Anrie Chase finished off a free-kick with a header to extend their lead in the 19th.
Nick Woltemade put the game to bed in the 61st and Stuttgart even missed a chance to score a fourth goal as substitute Ermedin Demirovic hit the post in the 74th.
"We approached the game exactly the way you need to as favourites in the German Cup. It was important to take our chances early on and quickly turn the game in our favour. It’s a deserved win. We’re in the quarter-finals and we’re very happy," coach Sebastian Hoeness said.
Third-tier Bielefeld stuns Freiburg
Freiburg had the opportunity to take the lead in the 18th minute, with a penalty awarded to them after Maximilian Grosser fouled Michael Gregoritsch.
Florent Muslija was in charge of the spot-kick, but his effort was saved by goalkeeper Jonas Kersken.
Things got worse for the Bundesliga team just 10 minutes later as Bielefeld were the ones to break the deadlock thanks to Christopher Lannert stunning goal from distance.
The hosts got a penalty themselves after Gregoritsch deflected the ball with his hand and Julian Kania didn't miss his chance in the 36th.
There was hope for Freiburg when Gregoritsch pulled one back in the 63rd, but that quickly faded after Louis Oppie scored Bielefeld's third in the 81st.
- Leverkusen
- Bayern
Source: www.dailyfinland.fi
