Berlin: German Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich were denied the opportunity of winning three trophies this season after they lost to 10-men Borussia Dortmund 3-1 in a dramatic penalty shootout at soldout Allianz Arena in the German Cup first semi-final here.
Bayern can’t even defend their domestic double this season as Dortmund eliminated the holders on Tuesday to advance into the German Cup final in Berlin on May 30, reports Xinhua. Having been crowned the Bundesliga champions on Sunday, Bayern still have hopes of winning the Champions League, facing Spanish side FC Barcelona in the semi-finals. Bayern grabbed the lead and had a number of promising chances but it was the visitors from Dortmund who levelled the scores to surprise the hosts. After the equalizser, Dortmund wasted several opportunities.
After 120 minutes of a 1-1 draw the match extended to a penalty shoot-out. The “Bavarians” wasted four kicks while Dortmund scored twice to seal a spot in the final. From the kick-off, Bayern took control to work out opportunities while Dortmund defended deep to keep them at a distance. With 29 minutes into the game, Bayern were rewarded for their efforts by breaking the deadlock. Defender Medhi Benatia intercepted a Dortmund attack to initiate a counter attack with a long ball to striker Robert Lewandowski.
He netted from a sharp anglular shot between two defenders. After the restart, Bayern started where they left off while Dortmund’s offence continued to pose no threat for the hosts. Pep Guardiola’s men reaped another two chances to double their advantage but Dortmund goalkeeper Mitchell Langerak denied Mueller from very close range before Lewandowski rattled the bar. Bayern dictated the pace yet the hosts remained wasteful in front of the danger zone. Juergen Klopp’s men then punished Bayern at the 64th minute when Gabon international Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang tapped in Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s square pass at the far post to restore parity.
The leveller gave Dortmund more confidence whereas Bayern wobbled allowing the visitors to produce goal-scoring chances through Mkhitaryan and Reus, who tested Bayern keeper Manuel Neuer in the closing period of regulation time. During the extra time Bayern’s Bastian Schweinsteiger had the chance to put the game beyond doubt but the German international headed wide of the target from inside the box. Dortmund’s substitute Kevin Kampel decimated his side after booking his second yellow card for repeated foul play yet Dortmund were able to reach the penalty shootout despite another golden chance by Schweinsteiger in the dying minutes of the extra time.
Bayern squandered all four of their attempts from the spot while Dortmund’s Ilkay Guendogan and Sebastian Kehl converted their penalties to seal the deal against the Cup holders.
