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Bayern Munich sloppily lose DFB Pokal final 1-3 to Eintracht Frankfurt

By Guillermo Kurten

BERLIN, GERMANY - MAY 19: Sandro Wagner of Muenchen looks dejected as police forces are seen on the pitch trying to control the situation at the final whistle during the DFB Cup final between Bayern Muenchen and Eintracht Frankfurt at Olympiastadion on May 19, 2018 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Maja Hitij/Bongarts/Getty Images)
BERLIN, GERMANY - MAY 19: Sandro Wagner of Muenchen looks dejected as police forces are seen on the pitch trying to control the situation at the final whistle during the DFB Cup final between Bayern Muenchen and Eintracht Frankfurt at Olympiastadion on May 19, 2018 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Maja Hitij/Bongarts/Getty Images) /
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Bayern Munich blow their chance for the domestic double, putting in a sloppy display and losing 3-1 to Niko Kovac’s Eintracht Frankfurt.

Bayern open the match clumsily

After the disappointing Champions League exit at the hands of Real Madrid, Bayern Munich aimed for their last shot at silverware before the end of the season. Bayern were also coming off a weak final Bundesliga outing in their 4-1 loss at home, and were hoping for better showings in the final competitive match of the season.

The first few minutes of the match saw Eintracht Frankfurt show some spunk. As with most opposition in Germany that come up to face Bayern, their immediate reaction was to apply a high press. Frankfurt pressured the Bayern backline in hopes of squeezing out some meaningful chances and ushering them away from their own half.

But Bayern Munich eventually found their footing in the match. The Bavarians started to hold more of the possession and creep their way into the opposition half. The first and arguably best chance the “home” side created came about seven minutes in.

It began as the Bavarian offensive made their way toward Frankfurt’s penalty area. Robert Lewandowski prepared for a play on the ball, but was promptly brought down by Carlos Salcedo as he was off possession. The official pulled the first yellow card of the match and gave Bayern Munich a dangerous free kick.

The Polish striker lined up and fired his shot, but the ball rebounded off the crossbar and out of danger. The Bavarian unit came agonizingly close to taking the lead early. And unfortunately for Bayern, laziness and this missed chance came back to haunt them soon after.

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Bayern close the first half weakly

Midway through the first half, James Rodriguez was given the ball by the defense with his back toward the opposition. Instead of making a simple one-touch pass, the Colombian lingered on the ball, completely unaware of the impending danger. James promptly had his pocket picked by Ante Rebic. The striker continued his run, and Kevin-Prince Boateng played him through on goal. Rebic made no mistake, firing the Eagles into the lead 1-0.

Bayern Munich managed to show the majority of their weaknesses in just a few moments. The midfield was too sloppy, and the defense was spread far too thin while having the opposition that close to their own goal. The rest of the match played out to this same tone.

The Bavarian side held the majority of possession, but their efforts in attack proved fruitless. Bayern created far too few meaningful chances on goal, with the Bayern’s attack looking toothless. Aside from a couple of chances from Lewandowski, there was not much to speak of in terms of the Bayern you would expect to show up.

Meanwhile, Eintracht Frankfurt showed themselves prepared for the big occasion, Ante Rebic in particular proving to be a threat. Just as well, Frankfurt looked disciplined and well organized, unlike Bayern Munich who took Eintracht’s attack for granted. Naturally, Kovac’s men made their stand off counter-attacks, which produced their best chances.

Bayern stumbles even further

After a weak and generally fruitless first half, Bayern Munich picked up the offensive pace early in the second. The latter 45 minutes opened up with Bayern sending pressure toward the Eintracht Frankfurt half, as expected after going down weakly.

Bayern’s opening goal came about 51 minutes into the match. Bayern began pressing a high defensive line. Niklas Sule was deep — for a center-back — in the Frankfurt half and played a beautiful through-ball in to Joshua Kimmich streaking down the right flank.

The young German then slid a clean low cross to Robert Lewandowski. This time Lewandowski made no mistake and redirected the ball into Lukas Hradecky’s net. With that, Bayern Munich put themselves in the match with a shot at the trophy.

The rest of the match played out fairly tense and contested. Both sides incited some scares in the defenses of the other. However, the deadlock would once again be broken, and not by the reigning German champions. Ante Rebic, once again, came away with possession bursting toward goal and powered his way through two Bayern defenders.

Bayern have no one to blame but themselves. Rebic dominantly took control of the ball between Sule and Hummels, and struck home to make it 2-1 to the underdogs.

Next: Stale Bayern Munich fall to inspired Eintracht Frankfurt -- Player grades

Things were cemented when Eintracht netted a third after a wayward corner left Bayern without a goalkeeper. Mijat Gacinovic was left with an easy tap-in goal after sprinting the full length of the pitch. Frankfurt thoroughly proved that they deserved this title.

Unfortunately for Bayern Munich, Jupp Heynckes was sent off with an agonizing defeat as opposed to the double.