MUNICH — In a shocking turn of events, Bayern Munich saw their hopes for the German Cup come to a sudden halt as they fell to defending champions Bayer Leverkusen with a score of 1-0 in the third round on Tuesday. This match marked a historic moment for goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who received a straight red card for the very first time in his illustrious career.
The 38-year-old Neuer was dismissed in the 17th minute after colliding with Jeremie Frimpong, who was on the brink of scoring following a long pass from Johnathan Tah. Although Bayern’s players voiced their objections, the referee ruled that Neuer’s challenge was reckless and shown no attempt to play the ball.
Despite playing a majority of the match a man down, Bayern Munich started the game aggressively and created more opportunities in the first half. The team was missing key striker Harry Kane, who sustained a right hamstring injury against Borussia Dortmund and will be sidelined for an undetermined period.
Leverkusen made tactical adjustments in the second half, introducing Patrik Schick. However, Schick was unable to continue due to a suspected left calf injury shortly after his substitution. Nathan Tella stepped in for Schick, and his impact was immediate as he scored the only goal of the match in the 69th minute, connecting with a well-placed cross from Álex Grimaldo.
Bayern Munich’s midfielder Joshua Kimmich expressed the disappointment felt within the squad: “The first title of the season is gone, and that hurts.” Meanwhile, Bayer Leverkusen’s coach Xabi Alonso maintained his unbeaten record against Bayern, having now triumphed in all five encounters since taking charge.
This defeat marks Bayern’s early exit from the tournament, echoing their previous season’s performance where they also bowed out in the second round. Additionally, Werder Bremen bested second-division side Darmstadt 1-0, while Arminia Bielefeld stunned 2022 finalist Freiburg with a 3-1 victory, and Stuttgart defeated Jahn Regensburg 3-0.
Looking ahead, Bayern Munich has the opportunity to regroup and refocus on their league campaign, where potential implications from this setback could motivate the team to strive for even greater performances in the future. The resilience and support from their fans will be crucial as they navigate the rest of the season.
In summary, Bayern Munich’s exit from the German Cup at the hands of Bayer Leverkusen underlines the unpredictable nature of knockout football, highlighting the potential for surprises and the ever-present opportunity for redemption in upcoming matches.