No change in German football 2020 - Bayern Munich again "double" champion
After the win by 4:2 against Bayer Leverkusen Munich is German Cup chamoions again, Germany in tears. Robert Lewandowski scores twice.
Only a few FC Bayern fans were allowed on the stands. But they were high ranking and applauded the players very loudly when they were holding up the DFB Cup in the Berlin Olympic Stadium late Saturday evening.
The club's management, led by Honorary President Uli Hoeneß, club boss Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and board member Oliver Kahn, had risen from their seats and cheered radiantly for the German record champions' 4-2 (2-0) win over Bayer Leverkusen. It was the club's 20th victory in the competition. And the club's 13th "double". Hans-Dieter "Hansi" Flick is the first coach in the Bundesliga to take over a team for a season and then win the championship and cup.
Bayer Leverkusen 27 years without a title
Leverkusen also missed this chance to win a title, the club has not won a trophy for 27 years. So it is fitting that the club has just had the "Vizekusen" brand protected by the German Patent and Trademark Office for another ten years.
Because of the Corona pandemic it was the first "ghost final", the Olympic Stadium had to remain almost empty. Leverkusen coach Peter Bosz initially dispensed with Kevin Volland and let the team play without "real" strikers. At Bayern, national defender Niklas Süle was back in the squad for the first time since his cruciate ligament rupture in October 2019.
Flick had the same starting line-up as in the 4-2 defeat in Leverkusen in the Bundesliga four weeks ago, leaving out midfield star Thiago, who had recovered from an injury. The Spaniard is said to be facing a transfer to Liverpool FC.
At Bayer there were three changes compared to that game. Kai Havertz, who had been courted by the Bavarians, had missed the two league games against the champions, and now played in the final. "We came up with a way of playing that would allow us to beat the Bavarians," Bosz said before the game. But his plan did not work out.
The Munich team was the dominant team from the beginning. One of the best Bavarians was Thomas Müller, he was involved in most of the attacks. It was the eighth appearance for the world champions in a DFB Cup final, and they drew level with record holder Franck Ribéry. David Alaba shot the Bavarians into the lead with a free-kick from the edge of the penalty area (16th), Serge Gnabry scored after a clever pass from Joshua Kimmich to score 2-0 (24th). It was Alaba's first goal in a DFB Cup final.
Praise from Basti Schweinsteiger
Leverkusen goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky, who defeated the Bavarians in the final with Eintracht Frankfurt 2018, had said before the match: "We don't need a miracle, just a good day. But Leverkusen were not consistent enough in defence and often too imprecise in offense. "The Bavarians deserve to lead. They punished Leverkusen badly for their mistakes," said Bavaria's midfield legend Bastian Schweinsteiger during the half-time break on ARD television. "Alaba is the best player on the pitch for me. He has developed very well as a central defender."
National coach Joachim Löw, who was also in the stands, said: "The players are very concentrated. Alaba plays at the highest level, the whole Bayern defence does very well." According to reports, Alaba is being courted by top international clubs. The Austrian has not yet extended his contract with the Bavarians, which runs until 30 June 2021. "I would renew with him right away. I consider him one of the top three central defenders in Europe," Schweinsteiger emphasized.
In the second half Bosz then brought Volland into the game. But his team could only rarely disturb the sovereign Bavarians, Robert Lewandowski scored the 3-0 (59th), Hradecky should have held that shot. Sven Bender headed the 1:3 for Leverkusen (64.). Lewandowski even scored again after that (88.), Havertz scored the 2:4 in stoppage time with a penalty kick.
The national season is now over for Bayern and Leverkusen. On Monday, the Munich players will meet again at the club headquarters on Säbener Straße, where they will also meet with sponsors. Afterwards the stars will say goodbye to their holidays. "Everything is planned. I think I already have time to switch off the one or other day. This is also important for a coach, even if it is not easy," said Flick.