Lucas Höler was Freiburg's hero away to Bayern Munich, scoring a stoppage-time penalty to fire his side into the DFB Cup semi-finals. - © Sebastian Widmann/Getty Images
Lucas Höler was Freiburg's hero away to Bayern Munich, scoring a stoppage-time penalty to fire his side into the DFB Cup semi-finals. - © Sebastian Widmann/Getty Images
Freiburg stun Bayern Munich to reach DFB Cup semi-finals
Freiburg caused a major upset on Tuesday evening by coming from behind to knock Bayern Munich out of the DFB Cup in a 2-1 quarter-final thriller.
Bayern 1-2 Freiburg
Goals: 1-0 Upamecano 20' (assist: Kimmich), 1-1 Höfler (27'), 1-2 Höler (pen. 90'+5)
Buoyed by returning to the top of the Bundesliga table thanks to their 4-2 Klassiker victory over Borussia Dortmund at the weekend, Bayern began determined to assert their dominance and soon had their visitors on the back foot. Dayot Upamecano gave Thomas Tuchel’s side the lead with a powerful header from a corner, but Freiburg equalised a short while later when Nicolas Höfler arrowed in an unstoppable long-range drive on the half-volley. Both teams had chances to add to the scoreline before the interval, Lucas Höler failing to connect with Maximilian Eggestein’s cleverly disguised pass before Matthias Ginter cleared off the line from Thomas Müller.
Bayern continued to enjoy more of the ball in the second half but initially struggled to break down a Freiburg side that had regrouped well during the break. Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting tested Mark Flekken with a drive from the edge of the box before Vincenzo Grifo found Ginter with a free-kick that the defender could only direct at Yann Sommer. Benjamin Pavard hit the bar with a looping header from a Joshua Kimmich free-kick as the home side turned the screw, the introductions of Jamal Musiala and Serge Gnabry off the bench adding further attacking menace for the final 20 minutes. And yet the longer Freiburg held on, the more their hopes continued to grow, culminating in a stoppage-time penalty awarded when Musiala handled a Höfler volley inside the box. Höler somehow kept his cool to smash in the spot-kick, sealing Freiburg's place in the semi-finals along with it.
Match stats
- This was the first time Freiburg have ever beaten Bayern in Munich. Their away record against Bayern in the Bundesliga is: P23, W0, D3, L20.
- Freiburg have never won the DFB Cup, but they lost 4-2 on penalties against RB Leipzig in last year's final.
- Tuchel won the DFB Cup as coach of Dortmund in 2017.
- Bayern reached the quarter-finals following victories against Viktoria Cologne, Augsburg and Mainz.
- On their route to the last four this season, Freiburg eliminated second-tier sides Kaiserslautern, St. Pauli and Sandhausen.
- Höfler's goal was just his 13th competitive strike for Freiburg, coming in his 294th appearance.
Teams
Bayern: Sommer - Pavard, Upamecano, de Ligt, Cancelo - Kimmich, Goretzka (Mane 79') - Sane, Müller (c), Coman (Gnabry 64') - Choupo-Moting (Musiala 64')
Unused subs: Ulreich, Davies, Sarr, Blind, Gravenberch, Stanisic
Out: Hernandez (knee), Mazraoui (ill), Neuer (broken leg), Tel (muscular)
Coach: Thomas Tuchel
Freiburg: Flekken - Sildillia, Ginter, Gulde - Doan, Eggestein, Höfler, Günter (c) - Höler, Gregoritsch, Grifo (Sallai 68')
Unused subs: Atubolu, Schmid, Keitel, Petersen, Jeong, Weißhaupt, Röhl, Schmidt
Out: Kyereh (cruciate ligament), Lienhart (thigh)
Coach: Christian Streich
As it happened!
1 - 2
(1 - 1)
Bayern
FINAL
Freiburg
DFB Pokal
Quarter-finals Quarter-finals Allianz Arena
Quarter-finals Quarter-finals Allianz Arena
Freiburg sink Bayern's battle ship
© Getty Images
90'
+ 5
Freiburg in party mode!
Incredible emotions in the Freiburg camp. They were up against it, but dug in to produce a special result. Yes, they got lucky - but that's football. Streich's team - beaten finalists last season - join Frankfurt in the last four. Bayern's treble hopes are over.
90'
+ 5
Freiburg knock Bayern out to reach DFB Cup semi-finals!
Wow. Just wow! Freiburg win at the Allianz for the first time!!!
90'
+ 4
Freiburg lead!!!!
Höler finds the roof of the net, sending Sommer the wrong way! Freiburg are on the brink of a historic result at the Allianz Arena...
90'
+ 2
Penalty!!!
Drama in Munich! A free-kick is launched into the Bayern box. Höfler goes for it on the volley, Musiala jumps in front of the shot and clearly handles. There's a VAR review, but it stands. Höler to take...
90'
+ 2
90'
Time added on
Sane aims for Müller, who looks a touch fatigued as he tries to make contact on the stretch. Three additional minutes for either side to find a winner...
88'
Gnabry!
The Bayern sub takes on a bouncing ball from the left-hand side of the area, sending a fierce hit a yard wide of Flekken's far post. That would have been some goal!
85'
Close!
Günter with the chance to put the ball into the mixer after de Ligt concedes a free-kick. Gulde meets the cross, but is in an offside position as he heads over.
82'
Yellow peril
Flekken goes long for Gregoritsch. He's caught by Upamecano, somewhat clumsily, but was out wide and it wasn't a clear goal-scoring opportunity. Fair decision, as much as the visiting fans don't agree with it.
All-action cup tie
© Imago
78'
Here comes Mane
It's an attacking change, with midfielder Goretzka the man to make way for Mane. The Bayern forward has 11 goals in all competitions this season, including one in the DFB Cup first round.
78'
Substitution
75'
Mane time?
Bayern's marquee summer signing is warming up. Can they get a winner, or are we heading for extra time?
72'
Sane on the prowl
The Bayern No.10 skips three challenge, before getting off a shot from inside the area - but there's Eggestein with another heroic block. The Freiburg players are on the ropes.
68'
Wing man
A different threat for Bayern to contend with if and when the game gets stretched, with Sallai a much more traditional attacking winger compared to Grifo.
68'
Substitution
64'
Fresh legs, fresh ideas
Musiala and Gnabry are on for Bayern, so expect Müller to move into the central striker's role for the remainder...
64'
Substitution
64'
Substitution
62'
Off the bar!
The woodwork denies Bayern as Pavard flicks Kimmich's in-swinging free-kick against the crossbar. Flekken was rooted to the spot.
57'
End-to-end football!
Höfler concedes possession, but Sane dallies as he leads the breakaway and Freiburg are able to snuff out the threat. Günter proceeds to run a good 40 yards, before being upended bu Upamecano on the left-hand side. The resultant free-kick is lofted into the danger zone, but there are no takers.
53'
Ginter!
The Freiburg defender meets a Grifo free-kick, but his header lacks the power to seriously trouble Sommer. Streich's team have scored a league-high 17 goals from set pieces in this season's Bundesliga...
51'
Into the bread basket
Choupo-Moting gets a sight of goal from 18 yards, the Cameroon striker bending an effort straight at Flekken. He has 17 goals this season, including three in the DFB Cup.
47'
Promising attack
Günter has time and space to pick out a cross from the left. Doan tries to steer a first-time finish goalwards from the edge of the area, but the Japan international's effort is blocked. Höler then sends a shot over from the ensuing corner. Really positive start to the second half from Freiburg!
46'
As you were
No changes at the start of the second half. If it's half as good as the first, we're in for a treat!
Kick-off!
Half time! Bayern 1-1 Freiburg
© Imago
Half-time
45'
Off the line!
Flekken doesn't deal with a Coman cross, the Freiburg keeper leaving behind an unguarded net as he punches straight to the feet of Müller. The Bayern veteran fires goalwards, but Ginter is able to cover and hook clear. Freiburg really got away with one there!
44'
Super hands!
Upamecano leads a six-on-three break after Freiburg lose possession in Bayern territory. He finds Müller to his right, but Flekken gets a crucial touch to tip the cross away from the waiting Choupo-Moting, who was offside anyway.
41'
Close!
Freiburg with another nice spell of possession in the Bayern half. Eggestein's pass into the box is weighted to perfection, but the unmarked Höler doesn't expect it to reach him and it goes behind for a goal-kick. Let-off for Bayern!
Jubilant scenes
© Getty images
36'
Caution
Gregoritsch is the first player into the book after catching Sane with a late sliding challenge.
34'
Müller!
Coman isn't offside as he collects a pass in behind Günter and spins a ball into the six-yard box. Müller times his run to perfection, but his first-time shot is into the side netting.
31'
Double chance!
Freiburg are caught out from another corner as Goretzka sends a deflected volley past the upright. Kimmich picks out de Ligt with the next delivery, the Dutch defender spinning on a six pence and firing just over.
27'
What a way to level!
Stunning scenes at the Allianz Arena as Bayern are pegged back. The red shirts fail to clear after a sustained spell of Freiburg pressure. Höfler takes a swipe at Coman's attempt to hook a deflected cross away, arrowing a stonking half volley across Sommer and into the top corner. Superb strike!
24'
Chance!
Much better from Freiburg as they flood the Bayern box. Höler can't quite get his head on the end of Sildillia's cross, but the visitors get a second bite of the cherry. Eggestein finds Gregoritsch, who sends a tame downward header straight at Sommer.
The Joao factor
© Imago
19'
Bayern lead!
From the ensuing corner, Upamecano rises above Eggestein to head past Flekken. The Freiburg players think there's an infringement, but the referee is unmoved. Bayern's patience is rewarded!
18'
Close!
Cancelo plays a brilliantly disguised pass into the box for Sane. He cuts it across goal for Choupo-Moting, but Ginter slides in to make a crucial block.
15'
Route one
Pavard picks out Coman's run in behind the Freiburg defence, but he's crowded out and his attempted cross is blocked. Freiburg will have to stay completely switched on to keep Bayern's wide men at bay.
12'
Sane!
Sildillia stops Sane from shifting the ball onto his preferred left foot, but not from cutting inside and shooting goalwards on his right. It has the power - but not the accuracy.
8'
Bayern pushing
Choupo-Moting drives forward centrally and then finds Sane out to his left. The winger fizzes a low, first-time ball into the penalty area but Freiburg are able to clear.
5'
Freiburg harrying
The visitors are happy to let Bayern have the ball in their own half but they come alive as soon as they cross the halfway line, hounding them in numbers in a bid to regain possession.
2'
First glimpse from Bayern
Coman cuts inside from the right wing and floats a ball into the middle, looking for the run of Goretzka, but it's just a bit too high for the Germany international to reach.
1'
Here we go!
Freiburg, kitted out all in black, get the action underway in Munich!
Kick-off!
Route to the quarter-finals
Freiburg have beaten Kaiserslautern (2-1), St. Pauli (2-1) and Sandhausen (2-0) to get this far, while Bayern have had to overcome Viktoria Cologne (5-0), Augsburg (5-2) and Mainz (4-0).
Frankfurt through
At least one potential semi-final opponent is now know: Eintracht Frankfurt. Randal Kolo Muani scored twice earlier today as the Eagles beat Union Berlin 2-0.
More on those teams
Streich welcomes back Austrian striker Michael Gregoritsch following a one-match Bundesliga ban. Defender Kenneth Schmidt makes way, with Lucas Höler moving out wide, Ritsu Doan to right-wing-back and Kiliann Sildillia into the back three. As for Bayern, Joao Cancelo is preferred to Alphonso Davies at left-back in the only change to the team that beat Dortmund 4-2 in Der Klassiker.
Freiburg starting XI
Flekken - Sildillia, Ginter, Gulde - Doan, Eggestein, Höfler, Günter (c) - Höler, Gregoritsch, Grifo
Freiburg subs
Atubolu, Schmid, Keitel, Petersen, Sallai, Jeong, Weißhaupt, Röhl, Schmidt
Bayern starting XI
Sommer - Pavard, Upamecano, de Ligt, Cancelo - Kimmich, Goretzka - Sane, Müller (c), Coman - Choupo-Moting
Bayern subs
Ulreich, Gnabry, Mane, Davies, Sarr, Blind, Gravenberch, Musiala, Stanisic
1:02
Watch: Grifo - Freiburg's dangerman
Contrasting fortunes
While Bayern are the record DFB Cup winners, having lifted the trophy 20 times - most recently in 2019/20 - Freiburg are still hoping for a maiden success in the competition. They reached the final last year and even led for much of the match against RB Leipzig through Maximilian Eggestein's 19th-minute goal, but Christopher Nkunku equalised in the closing stages and Leipzig went on to win 4-2 on penalties.
2:03
Watch: Previous meeting: Bayern 5-0 Freiburg
Two from two for Tuchel?
New Bayern head coach Thomas Tuchel enjoyed the perfect start to his reign in the Allianz Arena hotseat with a 4-2 Klassiker triumph over Borussia Dortmund on Saturday. He actually guided BVB to DFB Cup glory in 2016/17, so will be looking to get his hands on the trophy for a second time this year.
Double-header
This match is the first of two meetings between these teams this week: they also face each other on Saturday on Bundesliga Matchday 27 in Freiburg.
Welcome aboard!
Hello and thanks for joining us for this DFB Cup quarter-final clash between Bayern and Freiburg. Stay tuned for build-up, team news and live match coverage!
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