Saturday April 20, 2024

Bayern trash Leverkusen 6-2 in German Cup semi

Published : 18 Apr 2018, 11:40

  DF-Xinhua Report
Bayern Munich's Thomas Mueller. Xinhua File Photo.

Thomas Mueller's hat rick helped Bayern Munich to cruise 6-2 past Bayer Leverkusen into the German Cup final following the first semi final encounter on Tuesday.

The "Bavarians" maintain their chances for another treble winning season under Jupp Heynckes as his team staged a dominant performance against Bayer Leverkusen to eye for the 19th German Cup title.

Bayern secured the best possible start on the road as Robert Lewandowski opened the scoring after deflecting Javi Martinez's shot on target with just three minutes played.

The visitors established an early two-goal lead as Lewandowski had all time and space to volley home Franck Ribery' s pinpoint cross to the far post with nine minutes into the game.

Leverkusen responded well to Bayern's second goal as Lars Bender headed home a blocked shot from inside the box to reduce the arrears in the 16th minute.

The hosts increased the pressure but failed to make the most of their chances, especially early in the second half when Bayern goalkeeper Sven Ulreich was on guard to parry promising efforts by Kevin Volland and Karim Bellarabi.

Just when the hosts where about to take the reins, Bayern restored their two-goal lead out of the blue as Mueller tapped home Thiago Alcantara's through ball in the 52nd minute.

The German giants continued powerfully and extended their lead through Thiago, who beat Leverkusen's custodian Bernd Leno with a well-placed shot into the bottom at the hour mark.

Leverkusen's defence was unable to hold the pace whereas Bayern added another goal to their advantage when Mueller flicked in Arjen Robben's shot on target four minutes later.

The "Werkself" showed a vital sign and pulled one back again as Leon Bailey's direct free kick goal into the top right corner made it 5-2 on the scoreboards in the 72nd minute.

Bayern however weren't done with the scoring as Thomas Mueller sealed his hat rick to secure the berth for the German Cup final in Berlin on May 19.

"We staged over all an absolute top performance against a top team like Bayer Leverkusen. They play good football. Nevertheless, today we were the dominant team. We were motivated and focused," Bayern's coach Jupp Heynckes said.

Schalke encounter Eintracht Frankfurt in the second semi final to battle for the final berth on Wednesday.