In a stunning upset, Bayer Leverkusen edged out Bayern Munich 1-0 to advance to the DFB-Pokal quarterfinals on Tuesday. Leverkusen's Nathan Tella secured the win in the second half, capitalizing on a superb cross from Alex Grimaldo.
The match took a dramatic turn early on when Bayern's legendary goalkeeper Manuel Neuer received a straight red card in the 17th minute after a clash with Jeremie Frimpong. This marked the first red card in Neuer's illustrious 38-year career, forcing Bayern to play with 10 men for the remainder of the game.
Despite being a man down, Bayern struggled to dominate, with key players like Kingsley Coman, Konrad Laimer, and Leon Goretzka creating multiple chances in the first half. However, Leverkusen remained resilient, holding onto their lead even as Bayern adjusted their lineup with reserve keeper Daniel Peretz coming on.
Leverkusen's coach, Xabi Alonso, continues his perfect record in the German Cup, having won all nine of his matches in this competition. Defender Jonathan Tah praised the team's strategy, saying, \"It was not our best game with the ball or even with an extra man but we applied our plan. We were effective and Nathan's header was the difference.\"
Both teams were missing their top strikers, with Leverkusen without Victor Boniface and Bayern sidelined Harry Kane due to injuries. Despite these absences, the match delivered high-stakes drama and showcased Leverkusen's tactical prowess.
With this victory, Leverkusen moves forward in the cup, while Bayern Munich faces another disappointing exit, failing to progress past the quarterfinals since their last triumph in 2020.
