Borussia Dortmund reached the DFB Pokal final after an extraordinary penalty shootout win over rivals Bayern Munich.
Bayern Munich’s treble hopes were left in tatters after a dramatic penalty-shootout defeat against Borussia Dortmund in the German Cup semifinal. Robert Lewandowski fired Bayern ahead against his former employer on the half-hour mark before Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang restored parity for BVB on 75 minutes.
Both goalkeepers, Bayern’s Manuel Neuer and Dortmund’s Mitch Langerak, made outstanding saves to keep their sides deadlocked, and somewhat inevitably it was on to the lottery of penalties.
In the previous shootout win in Leverkusen, each of Bayern’s chosen five penalty takers converted, while in Munich on Tuesday, all four Bayern players failed from the spot. Rather bizarrely, both skipper Philipp Lahm and Xabi Alonso slipped and fell on their backsides while attempting their penalties, comfortably missing the target. Mario Gotze had his tame effort saved, and the fourth shooter, Neuer, fired against the crossbar.
Dortmund were deadlier from the spot, which wasn’t hard, to seal the shootout 2-0.
Here are the ratings as the 17-time winners slumped to their first defeat in the competition since being thrashed in the 2012 final in Berlin 5-2 by Dortmund.
Player ratings (1-10; 10=best; players introduced after 70 minutes normally get no rating, but this went to extra time and penalties):
GK Manuel Neuer, 7 — The World’s best keeper kept Bayern in the game with a tremendous save to deny Marco Reus in normal time. Can be forgiven his shootout miss as the game was all but over by then, and at least he had the guts to volunteer.
DF Rafinha, 6 — Straight back from injury and straight back into the starting XI. The reliable Rafinha is one of the first names on Pep Guardiola’s team sheet and his go-to man down the right side of defence.
DF Jerome Boateng, 7 — Another consummate performance from Bayern’s best defender.
DF Mehdi Benatia, 6 — The summer signing from Roma has missed more than half the season with an assortment of injuries, predominantly calf and back problems. It was a rumbustious and at times difficult return to the fray for the Moroccan. He should have scored with a header in the first half, but he did set up Robert Lewandowski’s goal with a lovely raking ball right into the Pole’s path.
DF Juan Bernat, 7 — Bernat has an incredible engine and was full of running even in the final minutes of extra time. The only downer on the Spaniard is his lack of goals — he needs to start converting from promising positions.
MF Philipp Lahm, 6 — Germany’s World Cup-winning skipper left nothing on the pitch during 120 minutes of toil. However, his John Terry-esque slip for the opening penalty in the shootout is all that will be remembered.
MF Mitchell Weiser, 7 — The 20-year-old enjoyed another start in a thoroughly wholehearted display for 120 minutes. Weiser gave Bayern much-needed width on the right, and he’s certainly putting in the performances to earn himself a new contract. You have to ask yourself why Guardiola gives the youngster regular starts if the club wasn’t going to hand him a new deal with his current contract up for renewal.
MF Thiago, 7 — Another decent shift from the Spaniard after his long injury layoff. With his side holding a 1-0 lead, he left the field to a rousing standing ovation from the adoring Munich faithful.
Xabi Alonso looks on after missing a penalty in sensational fashion while Borussia Dortmund celebrate in the background.
MF Xabi Alonso, 6 — A solid, workmanlike display from Bayern’s second penalty taker, who, unfortunately, managed an exact replica of his skipper’s effort.
FW Thomas Muller, 6 — A typically energetic display until his substitution and felt he should have won a penalty when Marcel Schmelzer clearly handled in the box.
FW Robert Lewandowski, 8 — Scored for the third time in succession against his former club and almost managed an encore with an outrageous lob from 40 yards. He also fired against the bar in the second half and was a constant menace to his old teammates. All shook up late on after he was poleaxed in the box by Langerak, with Bayern demanding a penalty decision to no avail.
Substitutes
MF Mario Gotze, 5 — Gotze should have scored in extra time with the goal at his mercy and missed a penalty in the shootout against his former club.
MF Arjen Robben, NR — Oh, dear. The Dutchman was rushed back into action for his first game since tearing an abdominal muscle against Borussia Monchengladbach five weeks ago. The substitute had to go off clutching his calf just 16 minutes into his long-awaited return. You have to say the decision to rush him back has backfired.
MF Bastian Schweinsteiger, 6 — Wasted two golden opportunities to win the game for Bayern with his head in extra time. First, he nodded over from close range when it looked easier to score before his second attempt was denied by Langerak’s tremendous point-blank reaction save.
Mark Lovell is a Germany-based journalist who covers the Bundesliga for various publications, including ESPN FC. Twitter: @LovellLowdown.