Match Report: Bayern Munich 0-1 Bayer Leverkusen

On Tuesday evening, Bayern Munich faced defending champions Bayer Leverkusen in the last 16 of the 24/25 DFB Pokal, being defeated 1-0, after playing the majority of the game with ten men.

Coming into the game, Vincent Kompany was handicapped by the news that Harry Kane was set to miss the next couple of weeks, and 4-5 games as a result. For this game, he went with a lineup of; Neuer – Laimer, Upamecano, Kim, Davies – Goretzka, Kimmich – Sané, Musiala, Coman - Olise.

Ten minutes or so in, Bayern were caught playing out from the back, but fortunately Florian Wirtz dragged his shot wide when well placed. No doubt a let off.

Manuel Neuer red card ends Bayern's Pokal dream

Just under ten minutes later, disaster struck. Neuer was sent off for bringing down Jeremie Frimpong. Peretz replaced Sané as a result of the red card.

After 31 minutes, Bayern had their first half chance of the game, but Laimer hit the side netting from an impossible angle. Soon after, Peretz made a good save to deny Frimpong.

Not long after, Bayern sprung a counter, and forced a corner. From there, Coman headed over when very well placed, in by far Bayern’s best chance of the game.

With two minutes remaining before first half-stoppage time, a Kimmich free-kick was met by Goretzka, whose header was excellently tipped over the bar.

Just before the fourth official’s board went up, Wirtz went on an incredible solo run, but steered his shot well wide of the target.

Moments later, Laimer raced through on goal, but a superb, well timed tackle from Granit Xhaka, denied him drom getting a shot away and testing the keeper.

With the last touch of the opening period, Kim glanced a header wide from an inviting Coman cross. The sides would go into the half time break at 0-0.

Five minutes into the second half, Wirtz steered a cutback from Frimpong just wide of the far post, as Leverkusen looked to take advantage of the extra man.

Midway through the second half, a Nathan Tella header put the visitors in front, as Bayern were now a man and a goal down.

With just over a quarter of an hour to go, Kompany made a triple change— with Boey, Pavlović, and Gnabry replacing Laimer, Goretzka, and Coman. Ten minutes later, Tel replaced Kim.

That would be that, and Bayern were knocked out at the quarter-final stage. Still no DFB Pokal win since 2020 for Die Roten.