Borussia blow Bayern away to reach DFB-Pokal last 16

Borussia Mönchengladbach delivered a cup night for the ages in Wednesday’s DFB-Pokal second round, knocking FC Bayern München out for the first time courtesy of a stunning 5-0 win.

48,500 fans were at the sold-out BORUSSIA-PARK and saw the Foals fly out of the traps. Manu Koné’s opener after just 80 seconds set the tone for the rest of the half, with Bayern simply unable to keep Borussia under wraps. Some brilliant one-touch football, including Ramy Bensebaini’s finish, made it 2-0 after quarter of an hour, and the Algerian completed his brace from the penalty spot soon after. Adi Hütter’s side simply controlled proceedings the remainder of the half, but they were back on the charge again after the restart. Breel Embolo added to his two assists with two goals of his own in the space of five minutes to increase Gladbach’s lead to 5-0 and leave FCB utterly shellshocked. A solid defensive performance from there, including a fine stop from Yann Sommer along the way, saw the hosts easily through into last 16 of the DFB-Pokal, earning them a first ever cup triumph over the tournament’s record winners.

TEAM NEWS

There was just one change to Adi Hütter’s starting XI compared to the recent Bundesliga defeat to Hertha Berlin, with Matthias Ginter having recovered from his cold and taking Luca Netz’s spot in the team. Yann Sommer was behind a back-three of Ginter, Nico Elvedi and Jordan Beyer, while Ramy Bensebaini moved to left-wing back opposite Joe Scally. Manu Koné and Denis Zakaria continued their partnership in midfield, much like the attacking trio of Breel Embolo, Lars Stindl and Jonas Hofmann. Marcus Thuram was back in the matchday squad for the first time since the end of August after recovering from his knee ligament injury.

Borussia were without Tony Jantschke (facial fractures), Christoph Kramer (thigh), Stefan Lainer (broken able) and Mamadou Doucouré (Achilles).

FIRST-HALF HIGHLIGHTS

2’: What a start for the Foals! Koné wins the ball back in the midfield and plays it on to Embolo in the penalty area. Embolo holds off Upamecano and returns the ball to Koné, who leaves Neuer no chance from six yards out. 1-0 to Borussia!

9’: Big chance to make it 2-0. Hofmann runs onto a long ball forward, gets the better of Upamecano, goes through one on one against Neuer, but misplaces the shot with the outside of his boot. 

11’: Next big Borussia chance. Embolo finds himself clean through after a Ginter cross, but Neuer punches Embolo’s effort over the bar with a quick reflex.

12’: Borussia are all over Bayern. Zakaria’s first-time effort from a Hofmann corner goes just wide of the post.

15’: Sensational goal! The move starts with Scally on the right, he plays it inside for Embolo, who spots Hofmann’s run into the box from the right and plays a perfectly weighted ball into his path. Hofmann drags his cross through the penalty area where Bensebaini is waiting at the back post to bury it with his weaker foot. 2-0 to Borussia!

21’: Scenes! Hernandez fouls Embolo in the area and Bensebaini steps up to beat Neuer from the penalty spot. Borussia make it 3-0!

35’: First shot on goal for Bayern. Müller tees up Gnabry, whose shot is dealt with by Sommer. 

SECOND-HALF HIGHLIGHTS

49’: Goretzka tries his luck from distance, but Sommer gets down and palms the deflected shot wide.

52’: It’s four! Elvedi sends a long ball forward, Embolo gets in between the Bayern centre-backs and beats Upamecano to the ball before rifling it between Neuer’s legs to put the game beyond much doubt. 4-0 to Borussia!

54’: The next big Gladbach chance falls to Zakaria, who is unable to find a way past Neuer in the one-on-one.

57’: ANOTHER ONE! Luca Netz, on from the bench, wins back possession and plays it straight into the path of Embolo, who sticks it confidently past Neuer and in off the post for 5-0 to Borussia!

77’: Bayern close to a consolation through Tolisso, whose header is tipped onto the bar by Sommer.

MATCH FACTS

Borussia: Sommer –Beyer (54’ Netz), Elvedi, Ginter – Scally (69’ Herrmann), Bensebaini – Zakaria, Koné, Hofmann (73’ Neuhaus), Stindl (67’ Plea) – Embolo (73’ Thuram) / Unused subs: Sippel, Bénes, Wolf, Müsel

Bayern: Neuer – Pavard, Upamecano (55’ Süle), Hernandez, Davies (55’ Coman) – Kimmich, Goretzka (64’ Tolisso) – Gnabry (67’ Stanisic), Müller, Sané – Lewandowski

Goals: 1-0 Koné (2’), 2-0 Bensebaini (15’), 3-0 Bensebaini (21’, pen.), 4-0 Embolo (52’), 5-0 Embolo (57’)

Attendance:  48,500 (sold-out)

Yellow cards: Zakaria – Upamecano

Referee: Tobias Stieler (Hamburg)

Manu Koné opened the scoring with his first Gladbach goal after just 80 seconds
Ramy Bensebaini netted a brace against Bayern for the second time
Breel Embolo racked up two goals and two assists

27.10.2021