Bayern defeat Schalke 1-0 in the DFB-Pokal quarterfinal

Schubert in goal, Burgstaller captain

Head coach David Wagner made a goalkeeping change after the 3-0 defeat in Köln. Markus Schubert replaced Alexander Nübel in goal. There were four other changes to the Royal Blues’ side, which saw Jean-Clair Todibo, Timo Becker, Rabbi Matondo and Guido Burgstaller come in for Amine Harit, Benito Raman, Michael Gregoritsch and Ozan Kabak (pelvis injury).

Kimmich scores on the stroke of half time

Schalke went with a 5-4-1 formation against the favourites, as they looked to cause an upset in the cup. Despite the underdog tag, the Knappen enjoyed the better start to the quarterfinal tie. Alessandro Schöpf had the first chance of the evening, bending a shot just past the post in the fifth minute. Captain Burgstaller then hit the top of the crossbar with an acrobatic effort from a Weston McKennie cross (12’).

Bayern began the match with a little more impetus. France international Benjamin Pavard found Leon Goretzka 15 yards out but the ex-Schalke player’s shot drifted wide of the Schalke goal. Shortly afterwards the VELTINS-Arena erupted, albeit only for a minute, as Guido Burgstaller’s shot hit the back of the net before being quickly ruled out for offside (20’).

After this first chance for the hosts, the guests began to exert their influence on the game. Schalke displayed some really good tackling across the board, but they were unable to prevent the Munich side from creating a lot of their chances. After 22 minutes Schubert parried a Pavard volley, and a couple of seconds later, Thomas Müller fired over. Schubert was also on hand 16 minutes later to spare Jean-Clair Todibo’s blushes, as the defender’s clearing header from Kimmich’s cross almost looped into the Schalke net, but was saved by the flying goalkeeper. However, shortly later, Schubert’s goalkeeping heroics stopped, as from the following corner Kimmich volleyed in a daisy-cutter from the edge of the box which rippled the Schalke net. This result meant that Schalke went into half-time trailing the record champions 1-0.

Goalless second half

The second period began without any real notable moments, with Bayern continuing to enjoy the lion’s share of possession. Philippe Coutinho struck the crossbar for the visitors in the 62nd minute.

Shortly after Coutinho’s effort, Wagner brought on Benito Raman for Nassim Boujellab as he looked to give the side more attacking impetus. The substitution almost came up trumps immediately: Rabbi Matondo burst down the right hand side with pace and squared the ball for Raman, but Thiago was able to slightly deflect the ball before the Belgian got his shot away, thus making it an easy save for Neuer (65’). Leon Goretzka could have doubled FCB’s lead five minutes from a corner, but couldn’t direct his header on target.

The former Schalke man then attempted an ambitious overhead kick moments later, with his effort just landing on the top of the goal. Serge Gnabry had another close effort from a corner, before Rabbi Matondo hit the side-netting with a shot from a narrow angle.

In the closing stages, Wagner decided to throw everything at Bayern in search of an equaliser, and brought on strikers Ahmed Kutucu and Michael Gregoritsch. In the last minute of regular time, Schalke pressed forward from a counter, but the final pass was lacking and Burgstaller smashed the ball into a defender. Ultimately, the final whistle blew and Schalke crashed out while Bayern booked their ticket for the semi-finals.

Hoffenheim at home up next

The busy week will end with a home game against TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, which will take place on Saturday (7/3) at 15:30 CET at the VELTINS-Arena.