MUNICH — In a surprising turn of events, Bayern Munich was eliminated from the German Cup after suffering a 1-0 defeat at home against defending champions Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday. The match marked a significant moment for Bayern’s captain, Manuel Neuer, who received a red card for the first time in his illustrious career that spans over 124 games for Germany.
The incident occurred in the 17th minute when Neuer was penalized for a challenge on Jeremie Frimpong, who was nearly on goal. Despite Bayern’s protests, Neuer’s attempt to stop the play without contesting the ball led to the dismissal.
Bayern struggled to capitalize on their chances despite creating more opportunities in the first half, especially in the absence of Harry Kane, who was sidelined with a right hamstring injury sustained in a previous match against Borussia Dortmund. The club confirmed that Kane will be out for the foreseeable future.
In the second half, Leverkusen’s coach, Xabi Alonso, made tactical changes, bringing on Patrik Schick. However, Schick was forced off after a brief appearance due to a calf injury. Nathan Tella replaced him and made an immediate impact by scoring the decisive goal in the 69th minute, successfully converting a header from Álex Grimaldo’s precise cross.
Bayern midfielder Joshua Kimmich expressed disappointment at the loss, stating, “The first title of the season is gone, and that hurts.” This elimination marks a continuation of Bayern’s challenges in cup competitions, as they were also knocked out in the second round last season.
In other matches, Werder Bremen secured a 1-0 victory over second-division Darmstadt, while 2022 finalist Freiburg faced a surprising defeat against third-division side Arminia Bielefeld, losing 3-1. Stuttgart advanced comfortably with a 3-0 win against Jahn Regensburg.
The outcome of this match serves as a reminder of the fierce competitiveness of the German Cup, where even top-tier teams can face early setbacks. Fans may take solace in the potential for Bayern to regroup and refocus on their league performance and future competitions.
In summary, while this early exit from the cup is disappointing for Bayern Munich and their supporters, it also opens avenues for the team to realign their strategies and aim for success in the Bundesliga and further tournaments ahead.