Initial reactions and observations:
- Bayern kept the good form in the second half and managed to score two more goals and secure their 20th DFB Pokal title
- Leverkusen played very well in the second half and managed to score two goals, but in the end, it wasn’t enough
- Jerome Boateng was, again, vital to Bayern’s defense. He made an excellent tackle in Bayern’s box and probably saved a goal with his move
- Incredible turnaround by Hansi Flick. This team looks strong and it resembles Heynckes’ Bayern!
FT! Bayern have won the title and are going home with a double!
90+3’ — Penalty for Leverkusen and Havertz scores and makes it 4:2
89’ — Game over! Lewandowski scores his second and makes it 4:1!
87’ — Thiago and Coutinho come in for Muller and Gnabry
67’ — In the meantime, Perišić came in for Coman
64’ — Sven Bender scores for Leverkusen and makes it 3:1
59’ — GOAL! Robert Lewandowski scores the third with the help of Hradecky
45’ — The second half is underway!
Half time observations and analysis
- Hansi Flick masterclass - Bayern are playing very well and organized. The midfield is doing an amazing job, but so is the defense. Bayer Leverkusen only had one real chance in the dying seconds of the first half, but the shot went straight into Neuer’s arms. Bayern utterly dominated the game so far
- Joshua Kimmich keeps getting better and better. He truly settled in his role as DM. His presence is felt both in the defensive and attacking part of the pitch
- Bayer Leverkusen has been dangerous, but Bayern’s quick defense was up to the task. Havertz and Bailey have both been dangerous on the counter-attacks.
HT — Bayern lead 2:0 at half time
24’ — Serge Gnabry scores to make it 2:0!
16’ — GOAL! David Alaba scores a gorgeous free kick!
David Alaba puts Bayern Munich up with this beautiful free kick in the DFB Pokal final pic.twitter.com/tFf659Z0Rf
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) July 4, 2020
Kickoff — We’re underway in Berlin!
One hour until kickoff: Lineups are out!
Unsere Aufstellung @bayer04fussball!#20in2020 #B04FCB @DFB_Pokal pic.twitter.com/PkdF8Ibq8K
— FC Bayern München (@FCBayern) July 4, 2020
These past few days have all been about transfer drama, but now it’s time to get back to the games. Bayern Munich face off against Bayer Leverkusen in the DFB Pokal final, and you better relish this match because it’ll be the last one for at least a month.
It’s unfortunate that Hansi’s debut Pokal final had to be against one of the few coaches he has lost to, made more complicated by the fact that Kai Havertz will be playing this time. With rumors linking him to half the big clubs on the continent, Kai might see this as his last chance to make an impression before the season ends — giving him extra motivation to turn up against Bayern.
On the other hand, Hansi Flick has quite a few formidable players of his own. Robert Lewandowski and Thomas Muller are in the form of their lives, and they will be aided by Serge Gnabry and Kingsley Coman the flanks. There’s also Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka available to man the midfield, and a settled defense consisting of Alphonso Davies, David Alaba, Jerome Boateng, and Benjamin Pavard. For Phonzie and Pavard, this will be their first Pokal final, let’s hope it’ll be a memorable one for them.
It’s Bayern time.
Match Info
Location: Olympiastadio, Berlin, Germany
Time: 8:00 pm local time, 2:00 pm EST
TV/streaming: YouTube, Fubo.tv, Find Your Country
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