Match awards for Bayern’s 3-2 semifinal victory over Werder Bremen

Bayern Munich were victorious over Werder Bremen once again, making it two victories in five days. With the victory, Bayern has booked their place in the final of the DFB-Pokal next month. Here are our match awards for the semifinal match.

Jersey swap: Yuya Osako and Milot Rashica

Both forwards were dangerous at times for Werder Bremen. Aside from a stretch of about two minutes, Bayern’s defense kept them in check. When Bremen looked to be down and out in the 74th minute, Osako received the ball from a low cross from Rashica into the middle of the box. He tucked the ball past the outstretched Sven Ulreich to pull one back for the home team. Immediately after the restart Bayern turned the ball over at midfield. One outlet pass found Rashica who dribbled through traffic, into the box, and slotted it past Ulreich where the ball deflected off the far post and into the goal. The two goals in as many minutes brought life back into the Weserstadion and made the last fifteen minutes interesting for everyone.

Tip of the cap: Leon Goretzka

Goretzka started on the bench for Bayern. He came on for Serge Grabry in the 57th minute. Six minutes later he took a shot from outside the box that shanked off of his foot. Luckily for him, the ball somehow threaded between the two center-backs and fell right at Müller’s feet. Müller took the shot and scored the goal, giving Goretzka the assist. In his limited time on the field, Goretzka completed 94% of his passes, with only one pass not completed.

Golf clap: Kingsley Coman

The young French king was amazing for Bayern. He was skillful with the ball all night. On multiple occasions he was able to dribble through defenders with great ease. Bremen’s defenders were seemingly upset with being beat by Coman. This perhaps led to Coman being shoved down in the box in the 78th minute, which set up Lewy’s game-winning penalty goal.

Standing ovation: Robert Lewandowski

Lewandowski had a great game. He found himself in the right place at the right time throughout the game. He benefited from Müller’s unselfish play in the first half. Instead of attempting a headed shot from near the by-line, Müller headed it up and over the keeper, trying to reach a teammate. The ball was sent out by a defender straight to Lewandowski, who shot it into the back of the net to complete the perfect poacher’s goal. Lewy also scored the game-winning penalty goal in the 80th minute, after Kingsley Coman drew the foul. Lewy stepped up cool, calm, and collected, sent the keeper the wrong way, and placed the ball into the back of the net. Late in the game, Lewy had a couple chances to put the game away for sure including one shot that hit off the woodwork after Lewy scrambled around the keeper and found himself in front of a wide-open goal. Had Lewy completed the hat-trick, he would have taken home Meister of the match.

Meister of the match: Thomas Müller

As captain of today’s match, Müller was very dangerous. He created chance after chance in the first half. His unselfish play helped the Bavarians’ offense thrive. Lewy’s first goal was a prime example of that. Rather than trying to head in a goal from a nearly impossible angle, Müller played the ball over the keeper towards Gnabry at the far post. The ball was deflected out, but Lewy was able to score on the rebound. Shortly before halftime, he had another shot at goal, which took the slightest of touches from Lewy. The ball was probably going in regardless of the touch, but the goal was disallowed because Lewy was offsides. All Müller’s hard work and selflessness paid off in the 63rd minute. Goretzka looked to have taken a shot from outside the box, which shanked off the side of his foot. Luckily for Müller and Bayern, the ball somehow found Müller who took one touch to control, then shoots the ball while falling backwards. All in all, Müller was masterful and contributed greatly to Bayern’s victory.