In a dramatic clash at the DFB-Pokal Round of 16, Bayern Munich fell 0-1 to Bayer Leverkusen, marking an uncharacteristically early exit for the record champions. This defeat wasn’t just about the scoreboard—it included Manuel Neuer’s first-ever career red card and a show-stealing performance from Leverkusen’s super-sub, Nathan Tella.
The Turning Point: Neuer’s Red Card
The match’s pivotal moment arrived early, in the 17th minute. Bayern’s captain Manuel Neuer misjudged a long ball and collided with Jeremie Frimpong outside the penalty area, earning a straight red card. This was Neuer’s first dismissal in his glittering 867-game career, and it left Bayern down to 10 men for the remainder of the match.
Enter substitute goalkeeper Daniel Peretz, who impressively held his ground for much of the game. Despite the numerical disadvantage, Bayern dominated possession and created significant opportunities before halftime, with Kingsley Coman, Leon Goretzka, and Minjae Kim all coming close. However, Leverkusen’s defense, anchored by Jonathan Tah, held firm.
Second-Half Surge: Tella’s Heroics
Leverkusen, sensing Bayern’s fatigue, ramped up their attack after the break. The decisive moment came in the 69th minute when Nathan Tella, subbed in just minutes earlier, capitalized on a perfect cross from Alejandro Grimaldo. Tella’s precise header left Peretz helpless and sealed the victory for the defending DFB-Pokal champions.
Bayern’s Offensive Struggles
Without injured star Harry Kane, Bayern’s attack lacked creativity in breaking down Leverkusen’s compact defense. Late substitutions, including Konrad Laimer’s withdrawal, didn’t help their case. Despite their best efforts, the record DFB-Pokal winners were unable to find the equalizer, extending their streak of premature exits to five consecutive seasons.
Leverkusen’s Post-Match Reflections
Leverkusen’s camp was understandably jubilant. Match-winner Nathan Tella praised the team’s hard work, saying, “It was very important that we won. The team played well and fought hard.” Meanwhile, Jonathan Tah acknowledged it wasn’t their best performance but credited their resilience in a challenging away game.
Bayern’s Cup Exit: A Rare Misstep
This defeat is a bitter pill for Bayern, marking the first time since 2006 that the team has exited the competition at the Round of 16 stage. It also underscores a larger trend: Bayern’s struggles to assert dominance in knockout matches over the past five years.
Elsewhere in the DFB-Pokal
Other notable results from the round included:
- Freiburg’s Shock Exit: SC Freiburg suffered a 1-3 defeat to third-division Arminia Bielefeld, continuing their rise as cup giant-killers.
- Stuttgart’s Commanding Win: VfB Stuttgart cruised past Jahn Regensburg with a 3-0 victory, thanks to goals from Enzo Millot, Anrie Chase, and Nick Woltemade.
- Bremen’s Late Drama: Anthony Jung’s 94th-minute strike secured a 1-0 win for Werder Bremen over Darmstadt.
FAQs About Bayern vs Leverkusen
Neuer received a straight red card for a collision with Jeremie Frimpong outside the penalty area in the 17th minute.
Nathan Tella headed home the winner in the 69th minute following a precise cross from Alejandro Grimaldo.
This marks the fifth consecutive season Bayern has failed to progress deep into the competition.
While Bayern dominated possession, Leverkusen’s effective defense and clinical finishing secured their victory.
Conclusion
The Bayern vs Leverkusen DFB-Pokal clash will be remembered as much for Manuel Neuer’s historic red card as for Nathan Tella’s decisive heroics. Leverkusen showed grit and adaptability, while Bayern was left to reflect on missed opportunities and growing questions about their knockout-stage performances.
As the dust settles, one thing is clear: the DFB-Pokal remains as unpredictable and thrilling as ever, with surprises lurking in every round. For Bayern, the focus now shifts back to Bundesliga and European success, while Leverkusen dreams of defending their cup title.
