The dream of the first cup title since 2020 is alive: FC Bayern are in the quarter-finals of the DFB Cup after a narrow win at Union Berlin.
Joshua Kimmich fell into the arms of goalkeeper Harry Kane with a shout of joy, then the relieved FC Bayern stars jumped with the fans to celebrate their entry into the quarter-finals of the DFB Cup. After a tough game, the record champions were in party mode – and came a big step closer to the Berlin Olympic Stadium, their dream destination.
With a 3-2 (3-1) win at Union Berlin in an extremely turbulent round of 16, Bayern survived the winter in the DFB Cup for the first time in three years, thanks to two own goals from their opponent.
Coach Vincent Kompany’s team, which confidently leads the table in the Bundesliga, can continue to dream of its first national double since the 2019/20 season. Union’s hopes for the final in the Berlin Olympic Stadium, 30 km away, were dashed after the mishaps of Ilyas Ansah (12th) and Diogo Leite (45th + 4) as well as the goal from Bayern goalkeeper Harry Kane (24th). Leopold Querfeld (40th, hand penalty, 55th, foul penalty) shortened the score for Berlin.
FC Bayern is initially clearly on track
The Munich team, who had only reached the quarter-finals once (2022/23) since their 20th and last cup win in the 2019/20 Corona season, were warned against Union after the end of the impressive winning streak on November 8th in Berlin. At that time, Kane prevented the first defeat of the season (2:2) in stoppage time.
Even at the quick reunion, Union didn’t initially hide. With early pressing, the Berliners disrupted FC Bayern’s build-up game, which often unintentionally had to involve goalkeeper Manuel Neuer as a passing pass. Apart from a harmless finish from Michael Olise after half a minute, the Munich team hardly had any offensive activity at first.
Union attacker Ansah, who had previously been defeated by Neuer, set the course for the guests to win early on. After a corner from national team captain Joshua Kimmich, Ansah directed the ball into his own goal with his thigh. The Munich team now had more of the game, but remained too harmless in the final third.
The Munich standards, on the other hand, caused great danger: The second goal – Kane’s fifth in the competition – was almost a copy of the opening goal.
Bayern’s defense was in trouble several times
Bayern remained the more active team until the break and pushed Union deep into their own half. Nevertheless, the Berliners scored: a handball by defender Jonathan Tah was initially overlooked by referee Martin Petersen. After VAR intervened, Querfeld converted the penalty. Immediately before the half-time whistle, FC Bayern celebrated again after a set piece: Leite headed a free kick into his own goal.
The intense duel remained extremely entertaining even after the break. During a header duel in the penalty area, Kane hit Leite’s face with his elbow, and with the second penalty, Querfeld again showed no weakness.
Union then played bravely forward and fought for its quarter-final chance. The Bayern defense came into trouble several times. Janik Haberer (75th) missed the biggest opportunity.