The record-breaking soccer champions Bayern Munich easily won 4-0 at FSV Mainz 05 in the round of 16 of the DFB Cup on Wednesday evening and celebrated their first competitive win of the year after three Bundesliga draws. Coach Nagelsmann had ordered João Cancelo, who was only introduced on Tuesday, directly into the starting eleven – and the Portuguese prepared the lead through Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (17th) after a little more than fifteen minutes of play in the Bayern cosmos.
Jamal Musiala (30′) and Leroy Sané (44′) followed up in front of 33,305 spectators during the first half, shortly before the end, substitute Alphonso Davies (83′) scored. The “more” risk demanded by Nagelsmann paid off, Bayern had lost the last two league games in Mainz. On the other hand, FSV, who had no chance over longer distances, missed the first quarter-finals since 2018. Coach Bo Svensson saw red (81st) for complaining, his defender Alexander Hack after repeated foul play yellow-red (86th). “We weren’t there in the first half, that wasn’t Mainz 05,” said FSV sports director Martin Schmidt on Sky.
The Bavarian mood was tense on the journey because of the league slip-up. “Of course we all have pressure if we don’t win,” said sports director Hasan Salihamidzic at Sky. Nagelsmann was annoyed early in the game about every shot that didn’t land in the Mainz goal. However, the initial failed attempts by Kingsley Coman (10th) and Musiala (14th) did not change anything about Munich’s dominance. Cancelo effortlessly beat Aarón Martín with his strong cross from the right to score the opening goal – and confirmed Nagelsmann. “He can go full throttle,” announced the coach.
In Leipzig, the game almost became a minor matter
RB Leipzig won 3-1 against TSG Hoffenheim on Wednesday evening and set up the quarter-finals. The game was overshadowed by an emergency doctor’s call. The spectators had stopped supporting the teams from the start because one person had collapsed in front of the stadium and had to be resuscitated. The person was taken to the hospital, further details initially remained unclear on Wednesday evening.
When Emil Forsberg (8th minute) scored for the early RB lead, the bizarre silence in the stadium was briefly interrupted. Only gradually did the news of the emergency before the game spread among the 34,822 spectators. Konrad Laimer (41st) increased before half-time, the jubilation was subdued, the stadium announcer calmly announced the new score. Kasper Dolberg (77th) made the connection for Hoffenheim before Timo Werner (84th) made everything clear. Shortly before the end, Stanley Nsoki saw the yellow-red card from the guests (86th).
“It wasn’t fireworks, but it was a deserved win. We took it seriously and showed from the start that we want to get ahead. It was played well,” Forsberg said on Sky: “We’re on a good run and we have to stay on this path. It’s only possible with hard work.” Hoffenheim’s new signing Thomas Delaney said: “Overall the impression is bad, Leipzig got too many chances. We were inside, but then clearly lost.”
Leipzig, who have been unbeaten for 17 games, were not irritated by the unfamiliar atmosphere. The team performed routinely and always had the troubled opponent from Kraichgau under control. Forsberg’s well-placed shot from 20 meters calmed the game early on. After that there was baby cheering, because the Swede will be a father again.
“We’re getting a little girl,” said the 31-year-old afterwards. Hoffenheim acted tamely, almost fearfully. Coach André Breitenreiter’s team didn’t create any great chances.
Leipzig took their time until just before the break to become more active again. Laimer’s wonderful left-footed shot from the turn gave Oliver Baumann no chance in the TSG goal. André Silva (43rd) and Timo Werner (44th) even had great opportunities to raise. Hoffenheim, who celebrated their last competitive win in early October in the second round of the cup, presented a sometimes frightening picture.
The two teams faced each other in the cup back in 2018, when Leipzig won 2-0 with a Werner brace. At that time, RB failed only in the final with 0: 3 against Bayern Munich. The first title came three years later last May in Berlin.
The final in the capital is also to go this season. That’s why Leipzig didn’t allow much in the second round and brought the victory in a concentrated manner over time. Hoffenheim showed a little improvement. Above all, the substitution of newcomer Thomas Delaney brought more structure to the Kraichgau midfield game.
At best, however, the people of Leipzig had good chances. Above all Werner. But the national player initially managed to run offside at every major opportunity. After a good hour, he even took the ball away from his strike partner Silva, who was not offside, and thus prevented Hoffenheim from scoring, so to speak. Hoffenheim’s newcomer Kasper Dolberg did better, who shortened his head – and briefly gave the guests hope. But then Werner was still successful. (dpa)
Source: Tagesspiegel
Brayden White, a veteran sports writer at Global Happening, brings his wealth of knowledge and expertise to the sports section. With over a decade of experience, he is committed to delivering high-quality coverage of the latest games and events.
