FC Bayern came very close to their dream destination of Berlin, apart from one last hurdle. An ice-cold double strike within just three minutes of half-time in a 2-0 (0-0) win over RB Leipzig was enough for the Munich side to hope to triumph in the DFB Cup final on 23 May for the first time since 2020.
Although coach Vincent Kompany's team despaired for a long time against RB's brilliant goalkeeper Maarten Vandevoordt, they were ultimately the last team through to the semi-finals. The preliminary round with FC Bayern, Bayer Leverkusen, VfB Stuttgart and SC Freiburg will be drawn on February 22.
Kane's crazy odds
In front of national coach Julian Nagelsmann, Harry Kane coolly converted a penalty in the 64th minute in a match that lacked intensity for a long time in an all-or-nothing game. The England international striker has converted 32 of his 34 penalties. And perhaps even more impressively, it was Kane's 39th goal of the season in his 34th competitive match.
Just three minutes later, Luis Diaz (67), who had scored three times against TSG Hoffenheim, made it all clear in front of 75,000 spectators. It was Leipzig's third defeat against Bayern this season - but not as heavy a blow this time, following a 6-0 and 5-1 loss.
The video referee intervenes early
Of course, there was no sign of the consequences of the feared strike problems caused by the public transport shutdown on the pitch. Leipzig, who, as announced, showed themselves to be reformed and did not want to enter into an open exchange of blows with Bayern, set the first exclamation mark.
Yan Diomande stole the ball from Alphonso Davies on the right and set up Christoph Baumgartner (4th) for what looked like the opener. However, the video referee ruled the ball offside.
Bayern, led by the agile Michael Olise, only gradually got into their stride. Leipzig goalkeeper Vandevoordt first made a brilliant save from Kane with his foot, and then Castello Lukeba beat away a rebound from his own man Willi Orban on the line (12').
Vandevoordt again and again
Whenever the visitors from Saxony were dangerous in the first half, it was mostly through the speedy Norwegian Antonio Nusa, who was more determined down the left than his counterpart Diomande. Manuel Neuer reacted quickly to save a shot from David Raum with his right fist (37') - after that Leipzig became increasingly passive.
Shortly before the break, Munich looked to be in control. But it was Vandevoordt again who first saved a right-footed shot from Aleksandar Pavlovic (45.+5), before the Leipzig keeper defused a header from Kane on the line a few seconds later.
Vandevoordt's show continued after the break. The Belgian was already on his way to the right-hand corner of the goal, but still managed to keep out a direct shot from Serge Gnabry (58'). After a wonderful ball into the box from Dayot Upamecano, Josko Stanisic popped up completely free in front of Vandevoordt and jubilantly accepted the penalty gift. Diaz followed up after a superb pass from Olise.
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