Bayern Munich 0-1 Bayer Leverkusen: Neuer off as Tella header defeats 10-man hosts

Ten-man Bayern Munich were dumped out of the DFB Pokal following a 1-0 defeat by reigning champions Bayer Leverkusen at Allianz Arena.

Nathan Tella’s second-half strike proved the difference as Xabi Alonso’s side booked their place in the quarter-finals.

The hosts were reduced to 10 men after just 17 minutes, when Manuel Neuer received the first red card of his career after bringing down Jeremie Frimpong just outside the box.

Despite the numerical disadvantage, Vincent Kompany’s side created the better chances during the first half, with Kingsley Coman, Konrad Laimer and Leon Goretzka going close.

However, the visitors broke through against the run of play in the 69th minute, when Tella nodded in from Alex Grimaldo’s cross.

Michael Olise almost snatched a dramatic equaliser with a curling effort in stoppage time, but Leverkusen survived to maintain their title defence.

9 – Xabi Alonso has won all nine of his DFB Cup matches as a coach – only two coaches have gone longer undefeated in the DFB Cup at the start of their coaching careers this millennium: Louis van Gaal and Pep Guardiola (both in the first 10). Immaculate. pic.twitter.com/dW3B6yw8mF

— OptaFranz (@OptaFranz) December 3, 2024

Data Debrief: Nine in a row for Leverkusen and Alonso

Bayern had won each of their five previous DFB Pokal matches against the defending champions.

However, that streak ended here as they have now suffered successive eliminations after home defeats (also losing to Freiburg in April 2023) for the first time in their history.

As for Leverkusen, they have now won their last nine DFB Pokal matches and kept clean sheets in their last five – both their longest such streaks in the competition since at least 2005-06.

Meanwhile, Alonso has won all nine of his DFB Pokal matches as a coach. Only two coaches have enjoyed longer undefeated starts in the competition this millennium – Louis van Gaal and Pep Guardiola (both in the first 10).