Bayern Munich II lose promotion playoff on away goals after goalkeeping gaffe

After losing 1-0 away to Fortuna Köln in the first leg of their promotion playoff, Bayern Munich II knew exactly what needed to be done if they wanted to be in the 3.Liga next season. They needed to attack.

Alessandro Schöpf had a very strong start to the match. He was seemingly involved everywhere, while making correct decisions with the ball at his feet. You can see why a club like Borussia Mönchengladbach has been sniffing around him recently.

In the 20th minute, Bayern earned a free kick. Schöpf, Benno Schmitz, and Ylli Sallahi stood over the ball. Sallahi would be the one to strike the ball, and what a hit it was. Andre Poggenborg either didn't see the ball, or the ball was going too fast for him to react quick enough. The goal was sensational, and FCBII were back level on aggregate.

Kevin Friesenbichler nearly made it 2-0 in the 35th minute, but his shot brought out a fingertip save from Poggenborg. A few minutes later, Friesenbichler went down in the box. It very easily could've been called a penalty in favor of FCB, but the referee swallowed his whistle.

Just before the end of the half, Köln began to come into the match more. Thiemo-Jerome Kialka forced Lukas Raeder into a save in what was really the busiest few minutes of the half for the goalkeeper. Otherwise, it seemed more likely that FCB would find a second goal throughout the first half rather than Köln equalizing.

There were some very nervy moments to start the second half, as Köln came out strong in attack. The stadium's collective gasp when Markus Pazurek's shot smashed into the crossbar could be felt all over the world. However, FCB withstood the spell without conceding and set out to find their second goal.

Friesenbichler and Tobias Schweinsteiger were very active up top throughout the match. Friesenbichler, in particular, showed no fear in challenge Poggenborg from distance and forced him into several good saves.

The match turned more in Bayern's favor in the 79th minute. Kristoffer Anderson was shown a second yellow sent off. The tackle was his second terrible one of the match, and he easily could've been shown a straight red for either tackle.

Dennis Chessa looked as though he was going to put Bayern up in the 85th minute, but after dancing around defenders in the box, his shot was cleared off the line.

Then, in the dying minutes, it was the man that started it all for Bayern. Sallahi recovered the ball at the top of the Köln penalty area, took a touch, and scored another spectacular goal to put FCBII up 2-0.

However, things don't always work out the way they should. Playing in his final match in a FC Bayern shirt, Raeder made easily the biggest gaffe of his career. Köln launched the ball down the field, and Raeder misjudged the bounce. The ball went through his hands and crossed the line. Köln scored. They had the away goal.

The final whistle blew. Fortuna Köln earned promotion. FC Bayern Munich II would remain in the Bayern Regionalliga for at least another season.

This was the last match for FCB II for at least several of the players. Vladimir Rankovic, Friesenbichler, and Schmitz have already signed elsewhere on free transfers, and Raeder has previously announced that he would not be resigning with the club.

This feeling sucks.