Bayern Munich is keeping a historic season alive, advancing to the German Cup semi-finals with a 2-0 victory over RB Leipzig on Wednesday. The win marks Bayern’s first appearance in the Cup semi-finals in six years, adding another layer to a campaign that already sees them leading the Bundesliga and progressing to the Champions League knockout stages.
The match wasn’t without its share of drama and controversy. Early in the game, a goal by Leipzig’s Christoph Baumgartner was ruled out for offside, a decision made after review by the video assistant referee (VAR). The call, determined to be a “millimetric offside,” denied Leipzig an early lead and set the tone for a tightly contested match.
Leipzig goalkeeper Maarten Vandevoordt proved a formidable opponent early on, denying Harry Kane in the 12th minute and then, remarkably, preventing Kane’s follow-up attempt from crossing the line with the help of Lukeba’s goal-line clearance. The near misses continued for Bayern, with Kane again thwarted – this time by a combination of Vandevoordt and the goalpost – in the first half’s added time.
The breakthrough finally came in the 64th minute, awarded after Vandevoordt brought down Josip Stanisic inside the penalty area. Harry Kane calmly converted the resulting penalty, bringing his season goal tally to 39. The goal ignited Bayern, and they quickly doubled their advantage just three minutes later.
A counter-attack initiated after a corner kick saw Romulo’s header hit the crossbar. Bayern swiftly transitioned, and a perfectly weighted through ball from Michael Olise found Luis Díaz, who finished with precision, sealing the victory for the Bavarian side. Díaz’s goal in the 67th minute effectively ended Leipzig’s hopes.
Bayern’s progression to the semi-finals comes at a pivotal moment in the season. They now join holders VfB Stuttgart, Bayer Leverkusen, and Freiburg in the final four. The semi-final draw is scheduled for February 22nd, with the matches to be played on April 21st and 22nd. The final will be held in Berlin on May 23rd.
This victory adds to a remarkable season for Bayern. They’ve already secured the Super Cup, are comfortably leading the Bundesliga, and have advanced directly to the round of 16 in the Champions League. The possibility of a quadruple – winning the Bundesliga, German Cup, Champions League, and FIFA Club World Cup – remains firmly within reach.
The match highlighted Kane’s continued importance to Bayern’s attack. His penalty was not only crucial but also extended his impressive goal-scoring record. Luis Díaz’s contribution, capitalizing on Olise’s assist, further demonstrated Bayern’s attacking depth.
MATCH DETAILS:
BAYERN (1-4-2-3-1): Neuer | Stanisic (Laimer 69′), Upamecano, Tah, Davies (Ito 90′) | Kimmich, Pavlovic (Goretzka 80′) | Olise, Gnabry (Musiala 69′), Luis Díaz | and Kane.
Manager: Vincent Kompany.
RB LEIPZIG (1-4-3-3): Vandevoordt | Baku, Orbán, Lukeba (Bitshiabu 90′), Raum | Seiwald, Schlager (Banzuzi 78′), Baumgartner (Gomis 89′) | Diomande, Romulo (Harder 78′) and Nusa (Gruda 78′).
Manager: Ole Werner.
Referee: Daniel Siebert.
Goals: 1-0 64′ Kane, penalty. 2-0 67′ Luis Díaz.
Bayern’s performance underscores their ambition and tactical flexibility under Kompany. While the early stages of the match presented challenges, their ability to overcome adversity and capitalize on opportunities proved decisive. The upcoming draw will reveal their semi-final opponent, but Bayern will undoubtedly enter the next phase of the competition with confidence, fueled by their recent successes and the prospect of a historic season.
The club’s strong form across multiple competitions positions them as a major contender on both the domestic and European stages. Their consistent performance in the Bundesliga, coupled with their progress in the Champions League and German Cup, demonstrates a level of depth and resilience that few teams can match. The pursuit of a quadruple is ambitious, but Bayern Munich, with its star-studded squad and experienced management, is well-equipped to challenge for all available honors.
