FC Bayern has crashed out of the DFB Cup. For the second time in a row, the record cup winner failed in the 2nd round of the competition. Borussia Mönchengladbach knocked the favourites out of Borussia-Park with 5:0 in a memorable match – and caused a historic Bayern defeat.
Oliver Kahn looked at the turf of Borussia Park with a petrified expression, Hasan Salihamidzic turned his gaze to the ground and blew his breath in bewilderment. As players and managers alike, they had rarely experienced a phase of the game in which FC Bayern had been played to the wall in such a way. After 21 minutes, an unleashed Borussia from Mönchengladbach was leading 3-0 against the record cup winners – and the end of the line had not even been reached.
After just 80 seconds, it became apparent on the pitch what was to be the case for almost the entire first half: Borussia was mentally quicker and always one step ahead of the visitors, who were again without coach Julian Nagelsmann on the sidelines. After a sloppy Davies pass, Koné was more alert than Müller, Embolo easily got past Upamecano and again left for Koné – the early 1:0 for the Fohlen (2nd).
Bayern off the mark: Bensebaini completes great move
Borussia took the momentum with them, pressing early and aggressively, winning almost every important duel against an opponent from Munich where the gaps between the lines seemed to grow by the minute – and so did the disbelief. Initially, the favourites were lucky that Gladbach missed a great chance in the person of Hofmann (9th) and Neuer made a brilliant save from Embolo (11th), while Zakaria shot just wide from a low corner (12th).
During this phase, Borussia played themselves into a frenzy – and then made the 2:0 splendidly: Scally crossed to Embolo, who directly sent Hofmann. His perfect cross into the back of the defence was met by the onrushing Bensebaini against Neuer’s direction of travel (15th) – for FC Bayern, it all happened far too quickly.
Bensebaini scores a brace from the spot – Bayern offensively harmless
The Munich players made almost frighteningly unusual mistakes – including Hernandez, who bounced the ball too far off his foot in his own penalty area. A clumsy tackle on Embolo and a somewhat harsh whistle from the referee later resulted in a penalty for Mönchengladbach, which Bensebaini converted cheekily (21st) – FC Bayern had never been further behind at such an early stage in their cup history.
The serial champions were actually in their best line-up. Goretzka, who had recently caught a cold, returned to the starting eleven after the 4-0 win against Hoffenheim, Sané and Davies also played from the start, while Sabitzer, Musiala and Richards had to sit on the bench. Gladbach were also able to call on a national player with a cold again, Ginter replacing Netz after the 0:1 at Hertha BSC. The international defender led a Gladbach defence that actually did not allow the star ensemble from Munich a single big chance in the first half, a rather harmless shot by Gnabry (35th) was still the highest of feelings.
Embolo completes Bayern’s disgrace
At the start of the second half, it looked as if Bayern would catch up, with Goretzka (49th) and Gnabry firing dangerous finishes towards Sommer. However, Bayern’s nascent hopes were quickly buried – even while the favourites were playing in an overnumber due to an injury to Beyer. But after a long free kick by Ginter, Hernandez and especially the completely indisputable defending Upamecano acted amateurishly and opened the door for Embolo. The Swiss, who was outstanding on this day, chased the ball through Neuer’s legs and made it 4:0 (51.).
Now the record champions were completely out of it again, even the early withdrawal of the overstrained Upamecano did not change anything. On the contrary: After Zakaria had missed the fifth goal completely free in front of Neuer (54th), the substitute Coman played an absurd crossfield pass. Netz, who had come into the game shortly before for Beyer, passed through to Embolo, who made it 5-0 with a precise shot into the far corner (57th).
Despite the best chances: Bayern can’t score the consolation goal
Only now did Mönchengladbach shift down a gear, but the completely used Bayern evening continued in the Munich attack. Gnabry (60th), Stanisic (68th), Kimmich (71st), Müller (74th, 79th) and Tolisso (77th) missed some of the best chances to at least score the consolation goal and prevent the highest defeat in FCB Cup history. But that was certain after 90 minutes – and the second second-round exit in a row anyway.
FC Bayern can now only win two more titles this season. The Bundesliga continues on Saturday (3.30 pm) at 1. FC Union Berlin. Gladbach play VfL Bochum on Sunday (5.30 p.m.) – and on that day are also in the draw for the DFB Cup round of sixteen.
