20-time champs Bayern, Freiburg KO'd in German Cup
Bayer Leverkusen have kept their German Cup title defence alive and advanced to the quarter-finals after a 1-0 win against 10-man Bayern Munich.
It was the first defeat this season in the league or domestic Cup for Bundesliga leaders Bayern, who were in a numerical disadvantage since the 17th minute on Tuesday night at Allianz Arena in Munich. 38-year-old goalkeeper Manuel Neuer saw the first red card of his career for tackling Jeremie Frimpong just outside the box.
While Bayern didn't make things easier for Leverkusen - and even had chances to break the deadlock - they could not avoid defeat as Nathan Tella scored Leverkusen's winner in the 69th.
"It wasn't a good game from us," Leverkusen midfielder Robert Andrich admitted.
"You can talk about luck, but in the end we won. If it was deserved or not, we're through."
It is the fourth time in five seasons that Bayern have failed to reach the last eight of the Cup - a period that included three exits in the second round.
Nathan Tella comes off the bench to head Bayer Leverkusen in front against Bayern Munich!
The Allianz Arena is silenced and Die Roten are on the brink of being knocked out of the DFB Pokal.
Watch | https://t.co/3eVFR9dYFf pic.twitter.com/b2rnoxr6kW— Optus Sport (@OptusSport) December 3, 2024
"Of course it was not so easy with the red card. We tried, but the red card of course hurts," Neuer said after being sent off for the first time in 841 matches, including those with the Germany national team.
"I was hoping it could be an offside. In the end, we simply have to accept it."
Last season's runners-up VfB Stuttgart reached the quarters after a 3-0 win against Jahn Regensburg, but Freiburg are out following a shocking 3-1 defeat at third-division side Arminia Bielefeld.
Ten minutes after Freiburg's Florent Muslija had an 18th-minute penalty saved by Jonas Kersken, Bielefeld's Christopher Lannert hit a stunning long-distance goal.
Julian Kania then converted a penalty for the home team and though Michael Gregoritsch pulled a goal back in the 63rd minute, Louis Oppie scored Bielefeld's third in the 81st.
Stuttgart were little troubled by their second-tier opponents, Enzo Millot and Anrie Chase scoring inside 20 minutes and Nick Woltemade adding a third just after the hour.
Elsewhere, Werder Bremen advanced after Anthony Jung scored the winner against Darmstadt in added time.
With Reuters.
