Super-sub Lewandowski inspires Bayern Munich past Heidenheim in DFB Cup quarter-final thriller
Bayern Munich survived an early red card for Niklas Süle and needed a late Robert Lewandowski penalty to secure their place in the DFB Cup semi-finals, with a 5-4 win over Heidenheim that ‘incident-packed’ does not do justice to.
Bayern Munich 5-4 Heidenheim
Goals: 1-0 Goretzka (12'), 1-1 Glatzel (27'), 1-2 Schnatterer (39'), 2-2 Müller (53'), 3-2 Lewandowski (56'), 4-2 Gnabry (65'), 4-3 Glatzel (74'), 4-4 Glatzel pen. (77'), 5-4 Lewandowski pen. (84')
Red card: Süle (15')
With Bayern challenging for a seventh successive Bundesliga title, their opponents — sixth in Germany’s second tier — appeared as if they would pose little problem. Instead, they proved a significant obstacle after Süle had been dismissed on the quarter-hour mark. Bayern had already gone in front by that stage through Leon Goretzka’s header, but Niko Kovac’s men were pegged back - something that would become a feature of a crazy evening - by Robert Glatzel before 30 minutes were on the clock. Marc Schnatterer then raised the prospect of a major shock when he netted to put the visitors in the driving seat with the break approaching.
Thomas Müller cancelled that advantage out eight minutes into the second half - swivelling to fire home a sensational volley after half-time substitute Lewandowski had teed him up. With the Pole suffering from illness and Saturday’s Der Klassiker fast approaching, Kovac had started with his leading scorer on the bench but was rewarded for bringing him on as he then put Bayern ahead. VAR eventually confirmed a Serge Gnabry strike to give them a two-goal cushion, but Heidenheim were not bowed; Glatzel pulled one back before levelling the scores with a cool panenka from the spot to complete his hat-trick. The Allianz Arena was briefly stunned, but the ever-reliable Lewandowski was on hand to break Heidenheim hearts, dashing the visitors' dreams with another, decisive penalty.
Match stats
- Bayern and Heidenheim met for the first time in a competitive fixture.
- The record cup winners (18 titles) have now reached the semi-finals in each of the last 10 seasons.
- Bayern have won their last 17 matches in the competition against second-tier sides, scoring 57 goals and conceding just nine.
- Müller (29) and Lewandowski (29) are among the top 10 goalscorers in DFB Cup history. Heidenheim’s record goalscorer in the competition is captain Schnatterer (eight).
- Kovac coached Eintracht Frankfurt to a 2-1 (a.e.t.) victory at Heidenheim last season as he led them to the DFB Cup title, beating Bayern in the final. He's only ever lost one match as a coach in the competition (the 2017 final).
- Heidenheim's seven-game unbeaten run away from home in the cup came to an end - only Hertha (12), Gladbach (13) and Bayern (29) boast longer active streaks.
Line-ups
Bayern: Ulreich - Kimmich, Süle, Hummels, Rafinha (Lewandowski 46') - Thiago, Goretzka - Müller (c), James (Coman 46'), Ribery (Boateng 24') - Gnabry
Unused subs: Früchtl, Martinez, Mai, Sanches
Out: Alaba (thigh), Davies (knee), Neuer (calf), Robben (calf), Tolisso (knee)
Coach: Niko Kovac
Heidenheim: K. Müller - Busch, Mainka, Theuerkauf (Thomalla 73'), Beermann - Schnatterer (c) (Multhaup 67'), Dorsch (Feick 51'), Griesbeck, Andrich - Dovedan - Glatzel
Unused subs: Eicher, Strauß, Thiel, Schmidt
Out: Leipertz (tendon)
Coach: Frank Schmidt
Want more Bundesliga Action?
As it happened
FULL-TIME! BAYERN 5-4 HEIDENHEIM
An absolutely outstanding DFB Cup match comes to an end and Bayern Munich have booked their place in the semi-finals of the cup after a thrilling comeback in the second half.
90' - FOUR MINUTES ADDED TIME!
Let's see what else this game produces in the final four minutes.
89' - GNABRY HITS THE BAR
The German international is found with a long pass from Thiago out to the right wing. He jumps to control it, before lacing a stunning strike at goal which is only kept out by the strength of the crossbar.
84' - LEWANDOWSKI DOES THE BUSINESS
The star-sub steps up and sends Müller the wrong way with his penalty to give Bayern the lead once again with time running out for another heroic Heidenheim comeback.
83' - PENALTY BAYERN!
A handball is given against Busch as Müller's dinked ball is going towards Lewandowski in the box.
81' - HEIDENHEIM ALMOST AHEAD!
The away side have a three-on-two counter. Glatzel looks right to Thomalla who shoots at goal, but it's saved by Ulreich and comes back to him. He plays the ball across to Glatzel who can't control, and the ball falls instead to Andrich. He shoots with his left but it's blocked behind by Boateng. Huge chance for the away side to go ahead.
77' - CAN YOU BELIEVE THIS?
Glatzel completes his hat-trick with a panenka penalty with the most important penalty of his career so far. We're level at 4-4 in this outstanding cup game!
76' - PENALTY HEIDENHEIM!
Thomalla is brought down in the box by Hummels and Heidenheim have the chance to bring the game level if VAR does not decide to turn this decision around.
74' - GLATZEL BRINGS THE GAME ALIVE AGAIN!
The Heidenheim forward scores his second of the game after a neat pass from Andrich, he controls and places the ball into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.
65' - GNABRY POKES HOME
Hummels heads towards goal from a corner, and the ball drifts to the back post where Gnabry is alone to poke the ball home. The linesman gives offside, but VAR has a check and the goal is given with Gnabry clearly onside.
63' - ALL BAYERN NOW
The Bundesliga side are in control of this game now and look the most likely to score next. They have to stay wary of the Heidenheim counter-attack, which has caught them out once already tonight. But the players appear far more composed than in the first half.
55' - LEWANDOWSKI PUTS BAYERN AHEAD
What a stunning turnaround in the space of just two minutes. Müller turns provider for Lewandowski as he is in space down the left side of the Heidenheim box, and cuts the ball back into the middle. The Polish forward is all alone and slides the ball into the net.
53' - MÜLLER BRINGS BAYERN LEVEL
The Heidenheim defence are able to clear the ball, but only as far as Lewandowski who heads the ball back into the mix. Müller is all alone with his back to goal, and turns on the volley to smash the ball home.
52' - HEIDENHEIM STARTING WELL AGAIN
The away side have begun the second half with good pressing high up the pitch. The home side have yet to create a chance, but with Lewandowski on the pitch, they have a new dimension to their attack.
HALF-TIME SUBSTITUTION!
Robert Lewandowski and Kingsley Coman are on at the break for Bayern, replacing Rafinha and James Rodriguez.
HALF-TIME
The whistle goes for the end of the first half and the Bundesliga 2 side will be dreaming. They lead 2-1 in Munich, aided by Niklas Süle's red card following a VAR review after 15 minutes. Bayern threatened the Heidenheim goal with half chances to end that first period, but nothing that tested Kevin Müller in the visitor's goal.
38' - HEIDENHEIM GO AHEAD!
Incredible scenes in Munich as the away side go ahead. Andrich has the ball on the edge of the Bayern box with only Rafinha in defence, and he finds Schnatterer in space on the right wing. The captain's first-time shot bounces beyond Ulreich and into the far bottom corner.
27' - HEIDENHEIM LEVEL!
Schnatterer crosses to the back post and Glatzel heads the ball superbly back across goal and into the bottom corner beyond Ulreich. Bayern certainly have work to do to make sure they re-take the lead here.
24' - BAYERN SUB
Franck Ribery comes off to be replaced by Jerome Boateng, with Niklas Süle's spot in defence needing filling.
20' - DOVENDAN FORCES A SAVE
A great effort from the winger, who cuts in from the right and shoots at goal but Ulreich is equal to it and parries the ball away. Heidenheim have been in full control of this game since Bayern went down to 10 men.
16' - OFF THE BAR
From the ensuing free-kick from Süle's red card, Schnatterer smashes the ball towards goal and beyond Ulreich's reach, but it cannons back out off the crossbar. We have a game on our hands here.
15' - SÜLE SENT OFF
Andrich breaks away from midfield and puts the ball past Süle and into the box before the German international brings him down. After consulting with the VAR, the referee has sent Niklas Süle off.
12' - GORETZKA HEADS HOME!
Joshua Kimmich swings in a corner and Leon Goretzka is alone in the box to head home. A simple goal for the Bundesliga champions, who will be glad to go ahead early on in this game.
7' - HEIDENHEIM LOOKING FAR FROM NERVOUS
The lower league side do not look nervous with the opponents they are facing tonight. Holding possession comfortably in their own half, Heidenheim are also defending high up the pitch and not allowing a host of early chances on their goal.
3' - CAN BAYERN MAINTAIN DOUBLE HOPES?
With a strong starting line-up, it's clear Niko Kovac wants to make sure Bayern Munich progress against their Bundesliga 2 opponents tonight and reach the semi-finals. Of course, this game also comes in the same week as a huge Der Klassiker against Borussia Dortmund where momentum could play a role.
1' - KICK-OFF!
We're underway in the Allianz Arena for this DFB Cup quarter-final.
Watch: The last title-defining Klassiker!
Related news
Who is Christian Ilzer?
Boasting a superb record in Austrian football, Christian Ilzer is the man that Hoffenheim turned to following Pellegrino Matarazzo's departure. Who is Ilzer though and how has he landed in the Bundesliga?
Bundesliga 2, Matchday 13 overview
Resurgent Darmstadt go to promotion-chasing Hannover, before Hamburg face fellow fallen giants Schalke...
5 reasons Germany will win Nations League
Germany have built on a good UEFA Euro 2024 campaign to go unbeaten in the Nations League so far, giving plenty of reason to hope they can win the tournament.