Bayern Munich failed to reach the finals of the DFB Pokal after a disappointing second half which let Dortmund come back from a 2:1 deficit at the Allianz Arena. Thanks to goals from Javi Martinez and Mats Hummels, Bayern were leading 2:1 at halftime before Hummels got injured and had to be taken off for Jerome Boateng which seemed to affect Bayern’s defensive chain. It has been the most horrible period for Carlo Ancelotti as a Bayern coach, as the Italian is winless in his last five matches. Here are the best and the worst Bayern Munich players in their defeat to Dortmund.
Sven Ulreich(7.5/10): Couldn’t have done much for the Dortmund goals, as he did the best he could. While he was a complete spectator in the first half, as Bayern dominated possession, Ulreich had to be really switched on in the second. Got a piece of hand to the second goal but it wasn’t enough to keep it out.
Philip Lahm(7.5/10): After a strong start to the first half, things kept falling apart for Philip Lahm in the second, just like the entire team. He gave away possession too easily sometimes, one of which led to Dortmund’s third goal. The German world champion will have to be content with no DFB Pokal triumph in his final season as a professional footballer.
Javi Martinez(7/10): It was a horrible night for Martinez. Firstly, his horror of a backpass was easily intercepted by BVB and Marco Reus was on hand to score the opener. However, he made amends by scoring the equaliser from a set piece. Then, in the second half. he lost sight of Aubameyang for the second goal.
Mats Hummels(9/10): Was faultless in the first half. He made the defence look so strong thanks to his extreme understanding of the game. However, Bayern started looking weak ever since he came off for Boateng after the first half.
David Alaba(7/10): It’s not always you see a classy left back such as David Alaba getting totally outclassed. Yesterday was just exactly the case for the Austrian International. He got owned by Dembele in the second half while his crossing on the left flank was poor. Didn’t manage to link up with Franck Ribery to cause much trouble.
Xabi Alonso(7.5/10): He was well like his old self in the first half. Read the pressing system of BVB extremely well and prevented the opposition from breaching the lines. But the 34-year-old started tiring in the second half and the young opposition midfield made him work much harder which dropped the performance of the midfielder.
Arturo Vidal(8/10): Was excellent in stopping the Dortmund midfielder from creating some tempo in the middle as he quite frequently made a number of interceptions. Because of him, Dortmund weren’t able to have much possession on the ball. However, the Chilean was mostly anonymous in the second half.
Thiago Alcantara(8/10): A complete performance from the 25-year-old. Thiago made a number of interceptions to break up the rhythm of Dortmund, while his passing was absolutely faultless. Made numerous chances which Bayern attackers failed to capitalise on.
Arjen Robben(7/10): A surprisingly quiet night for the “Dortmund killer”. The Dutchman was largely pegged back by the hard working Marcel Schmelzer throughout the game. He did, however, look pretty dangerous when he got on to the ball.
Franck Ribery(7.5/10): A decent game for the Frenchman. Ribery was a threat right from the start and he also made quite a few chances in the first half. Set up the goal for Mats Hummels as Bayern took the lead inside the first half. This was followed by a tiring performance in the second half though.
Robert Lewandowski(7/10): He got completely marked out of the game once again as the Polish International didn’t have much of the ball throughout the game. He also missed a few easy chances to pull Bayern ahead and overall he didn’t manage to make an impact on the offensive front for Bayern.
Subs
Jerome Boateng(7/10): Was ‘average’ after coming on for Mats Hummels just around the hour mark. Some would say that the German International could have done a little better in keeping out Dortmund from scoring two goals.
Thomas Muller(NA): Didn’t make much of an impact after coming on late for a tiring Xabi Alonso. He was, in fact, a mere spectator with just 11 minutes left on the clock.
Douglas Costa(NA): Replaced Franck Ribery just four minutes from time as Carlo Ancelotti preferred some fresh legs. Didn’t manage to change the game, as one would hope for.