In a historic moment for Manuel Neuer and Bayern Munich, the German giants were eliminated from the German Cup in the round of 16 by Bayer Leverkusen, who claimed a hard-fought 1-0 victory at the Allianz Arena. This thrilling clash saw Neuer receive the first red card of his illustrious 866-game career, setting the stage for an intense battle that ultimately favored Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen.
Manuel Neuer’s Career-First Red Card Changes the Game
The game’s defining moment came early in the first half when Bayern’s legendary goalkeeper, Manuel Neuer, rushed out of his penalty area to challenge an advancing Jeremie Frimpong in the 18th minute. His aggressive challenge resulted in a straight red card, forcing Bayern to play with ten men for the remainder of the match.
Manuel Neuer was given red card for this. pic.twitter.com/na4PqBvLNZ
— SAMHUB️ (@TheHairPkay) December 3, 2024
The incident marked a historic low for the 38-year-old Neuer, who had never been sent off in his professional career until this match. With Neuer off, Daniel Peretz, an Israeli goalkeeper making his Bayern debut 18 months after joining the club, was called into action.
Bayern’s Resilience and Leverkusen’s Counterattack Strategy
Despite being a man down, Bayern dominated possession and showed remarkable resilience. They pushed forward relentlessly, even without their injured star striker Harry Kane, who missed the match due to a knock. However, Leverkusen’s defense stood firm, preferring to absorb the pressure and counterattack.
The breakthrough for Leverkusen came in the 69th minute when substitute Nathan Tella, standing just 1.72 meters tall, rose above Bayern’s defense to head home an inch-perfect cross from Alex Grimaldo. Tella, who had only been on the pitch for eight minutes after replacing the injured Patrik Schick, showcased his impact as a super-sub.
QUARTER-FINALS HERE WE COME!!! ❤️ pic.twitter.com/07IkF4K90d
— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04_en) December 3, 2024
Bayern’s efforts to equalize almost bore fruit in stoppage time when winger Michael Olise came agonizingly close with a shot that missed by inches. However, it wasn’t enough as Leverkusen held on for a memorable victory.
Leverkusen’s Momentum Under Xabi Alonso
The win marked another significant achievement for Leverkusen under the guidance of Xabi Alonso. The team, who secured an unbeaten league and cup double last season, are now through to the quarter-finals of the German Cup. The result also inflicted Bayern’s first domestic defeat under manager Vincent Kompany, signaling a major setback for the Bavarians.
For Bayern, the loss adds to a recent trend of underperformance in the German Cup. Despite being record holders with 20 titles, the club has failed to progress past the quarter-finals since 2020, when they defeated Leverkusen in the final.
Other German Cup Highlights
Werder Bremen Edge Past Darmstadt
Elsewhere, Werder Bremen booked their place in the quarter-finals with a dramatic stoppage-time goal from Anthony Jung, securing a 1-0 win over Darmstadt.
Stuttgart Dominate Regensburg
Stuttgart made easy work of their second-division opponents Regensburg, claiming a 3-0 victory. Goals from Enzo Millot, Anrie Chase, and Nick Woltemade sealed their spot in the last eight.
Freiburg Upset by Bielefeld
In one of the round’s biggest surprises, third-division side Arminia Bielefeld knocked out Freiburg, beating them 3-1. Despite Michael Gregoritsch winning an early penalty for Freiburg, the missed opportunity proved costly. Goals from Christopher Lannert, Julian Kania, and Louis Oppie ensured Bielefeld’s progress.
Upcoming Fixtures
The action continues on Wednesday as two-time defending champions RB Leipzig host Eintracht Frankfurt, a team with five German Cup titles to their name.
What’s Next for Bayern Munich and Leverkusen?
For Bayern, this loss serves as a wake-up call. With injuries to key players like Harry Kane and a disrupted defensive setup following Neuer’s red card, Kompany will need to regroup quickly as the Bundesliga and Champions League campaigns continue.
Leverkusen, meanwhile, continue to build on their impressive form under Xabi Alonso. With their sights set on retaining the German Cup, the team will carry this momentum into the next round, confident in their ability to overcome any challenge.
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