Bayern survive DFB Cup scare in Bochum

Bochum 1-2 Bayern Munich
Goals: 1-0 Davies (og 36') 1-1 Gnabry (83') 1-2 Müller (89')
Red card: Bella-Kotchap (88')

Currently third from bottom in Bundesliga 2, Bochum were very much underdogs despite having home advantage. They almost caught Bayern cold in the first minute, though, only for Simon Zoller to slice wide after great work from Danny Blum on the left. The visitors soon grew into the game, however, and Kingsley Coman almost found the top corner before Corentin Tolisso was thwarted by Manuel Riemann. Alphonso Davies had a shot from distance saved, but unfortunately the Canada international would soon make an unwelcome contribution at the other end. On 36 minutes the hard-running Blum was released down the left and – after breaking a tackle from Joshua Kimmich – drove over a dangerous, low cross across goal. With a Bochum forward lurking behind him, Davies stuck out a leg but could only turn the ball into his own net from inside the six-yard box.

Bayern reacted by sending on Robert Lewandowski for Ivan Perisic at half-time but Bochum looked comfortable in a scrappy opening after the restart. Philippe Coutinho was soon introduced too, but by the hour mark the home crowd were starting to believe that an upset was possible. Lewandowski flashed a header wide from a Coman cross but – despite plenty of possession – the record German champions were struggling to create clear openings. Just when it looked like Bayern were on the way out, though, Lewandowski, Coman and Kimmich combined and Gnabry was on the end of the latter’s cross to calmly volley home the equaliser. Bochum were suddenly under siege and 17-year-old centre-back Armel Bella-Kotchap – brilliant until then – slipped and handled outside the area when Müller would have been in on goal. The teenager was distraught to be red carded and just a minute later Bayern made their advantage pay. Coutinho swept the ball out to Coman inside the area on the right and his cushioned volley back was turned in by an ecastic Müller from three yards out.

• Müller is now level in 10th on the all-time scoring list in the DFB Cup with 31 goals.
• Gnabry has scored seven goals in 13 appearances for Bayern this season.
• Lewandowski had scored in each of his last 13 club matches before this game. The four-time DFB Cup top scorer has 34 goals in the competition and sits eighth in the all-time standings alongside Claudio Pizarro.
• Bayern have not kept a clean sheet in any of their last seven games in all competitions
• Niko Kovac has reached the DFB Cup final in each of his three seasons as a coach in Germany. His Eintracht Frankfurt team lost to Dortmund in 2016/17, before beating current employers Bayern the following year. In his first season at Bayern, he became the first man in German football history to win the domestic double as both a player and a coach, having done so in a Bayern shirt in 2002/03.
• Every time the Munich club have beaten Bochum, they have gone on to reach the final, winning it on three occasions.

Bochum: Riemann – Celozzi, Bella-Kotchap, Decarli, Danilo – Losilla (c), Tesche – Lee (Wintzheimer 66'), Zoller (Osei-Tutu 78'), Blum – Ganvoula
Unused subs: Drewes, Lorenz, Maier, Eisfeld, Weilandt, Janelt, Pantovic
Out: Bapoh (cruciate ligament), Fabian (knee), Leitsch (muscular), Saglam (bruised foot)
Coach: Thomas Rei

Bayern: Neuer (c) – Kimmich, Pavard, Boateng, Davies – Tolisso (Müller 65'), Thiago – Coman, Goretzka (Coutinho 57'), Perisic (Lewandowski 46') – Gnabry
Unused subs: Ulreich, Cuisance, Dajaku, Alaba, Mai
Out: Arp (fractured wrist), Hernandez (ankle), Süle (torn ACL)
Coach: Niko Kovac

FULL-TIME! BOCHUM 1-2 BAYERN

We've seen this movie a few times now! Bayern looked to be in trouble but still found a way not just to level but also to go on and win the game in the final 10 minutes. Bochum battled defiantly and were within touching distance of a huge shock. But, as has happened so often before, the champions kept their cool and escaped with a win. Late goals from Gnabry and Müller sending the holders through to the third round.

GOAL! 89' BOCHUM 1-2 BAYERN

Müller turns home! It didn't take long for Bayern to make their man advantage count. Coutinho pings it out to Coman inside the penalty are on the right. His cushioned volley across goal is stabbed home from about three yards out in between the keeper's legs. Cruel on Bochum.

RED CARD! 88' BOCHUM 1-1 BAYERN

Bella-Kotchap is dismissed for Bochum. You have to feel for the 17-year-old here. He's played brilliantly but gets in a muddle outside the area. Müller is set to go through on goal but in a panic Bella-Kotchap handles the ball on the ground.

86' BOCHUM 1-1 BAYERN

Coutinho brilliantly twists and turns his way into a shooting postion on the edge of the area. But the Brazilian fired just over.

85' BOCHUM 1-1 BAYERN

Gnabry lets fly from outside the area and Riemann tips over the bar. All Bayern now.

GOAL! 83' BOCHUM 1-1 BAYERN 

Gnabry levels! Coman and Kimmich combine down the right and Gnabry is there to meet the cross – calmly slotting home from the edge of the six-yard box.

80' BOCHUM 1-0 BAYERN

WOW! Bayern keeper Neuer comes to clear from outside the area and Blum sends it back with interest form inside his own half. It was wonderfully struck on the half-volley by the Bochum player and Neuer just got back to cling on. Replays suggest it might have been tailing wide anyway but that really got the crowd going.

79' BOCHUM 1-0 BAYERN

Riemann loses track of a Kimmich cross and tips the ball into the six-yard box. Thankfully for him Bochum captain Anthony Losilla reacted quickest to hack clear.

78' BOCHUM 1-0 BAYERN

Only 12 minutes left for Bochum to see through! They're still defending with impressive determination and discipline.

71' BOCHUM 1-0 BAYERN

Blum breaks down the left in a promising counter but his cross is loopy, and Ganvoula's control is poor. A good chance passed up by the home side.

69' BOCHUM 1-0 BAYERN 

Close! Lewandowski meets Coman's cross but the Pole's glancing header goes past the post.

67' BOCHUM 1-0 BAYERN 

Armel Bella-Kotchap made a great clearance to thwart Bayern and, while the visitors are pressing more men forward, they're still struggling to create clear openings. Thomas Müller has been sent on for Tolisso in what is the last throw of the dice for Niko Kovac.

61' BOCHUM 1-0 BAYERN 

We're at the stage where every good tackle by Bochum, every misplaced pass by Bayern and every refereeing decision going the home side's way is being loudly cheered. Can Bochum hold out for the final half hour?

57' BOCHUM 1-0 BAYERN 

Second change for Bayern as Philippe Coutinho replaces Leon Goretzka. Bayern need some inspiration here.

55' BOCHUM 1-0 BAYERN

It's been scrappy and played at a low tempo since the restart, which will suit Bochum just fine. They're still seeing plenty of the ball as Bayern struggle to get going.

50' BOCHUM 1-0 BAYERN

It's been a decent start for the home side, who have forced a corner and spent plenty of time in Bayern's half.

SECOND HALF! BOCHUM 1-0 BAYERN

We're back underway and sure enough Lewandowski is on. Perisic the man to make way.

HALF-TIME! BOCHUM 1-0 BAYERN

The shock is very much on! Bayern have had their chances but some brilliant work from Blum saw the unfortunate Davies turn into his own net. The stadium is hopping so a tricky second half awaits the holders. Will Lewandowski be sprung from the bench, perhaps?

44' BOCHUM 1-0 BAYERN

Bayern still seem a little shaken. Ganvoula gets another shot on target and the home side almost get in again through a Pavard mistake.

GOAL! 36' BOCHUM 1-0 BAYERN

Bayern are behind! Ex-Frankurt man Danny Blum takes on Joshua Kimmich, and whips in a dangerous ball. Alphonso Davies sticks out a leg, and in it goes. No chance for Neuer!

28' BOCHUM 0-0 BAYERN 

Alphonso Davies tries his luck from distance but Bochum keeper Manuel Riemann gets down to hold on. A minute later he does likewise to cut out a knockdown from Ivan Perisic.

25' BOCHUM 0-0 BAYERN 

There's been a hold up for an injury so both coaches have been taking time to make some tactical tweaks. Despite the pressure his side have been under, Bochum boss Thomas Reis will be happy with how things stand.

20' BOCHUM 0-0 BAYERN 

Bayern are getting into their groove now. Serge Gnabry can't keep the latest effort on goal down though.

16' BOCHUM 0-0 BAYERN 

Corentin Tolisso the next to threaten but his strike is saved.

15' BOCHUM 0-0 BAYERN 

Kingsley Coman fires over for Bayern. He was aiming for the top corner and wasn't far off.

1' BOCHUM 0-0 BAYERN 

Simon Zoller skews wide for the hosts. That was a great opportunity.

KICK-OFF

We're underway. Will there be a cup upset?

BOCHUM CHANGES

Third from bottom in Bundesliga 2, the home side make four changes from the team that lost 2-1 at Holstein Kiel on Friday. Armel Bella Kotchap comes in at centre-back, while further up the field there are starts for Robert Tesche, Simon Zoller and Chung Yong Lee.

NO LEWANDOWSKI!

He's scored 19 goals in all competitions this season- you could say he's earned a rest. Lewandowski makes for some Plan B, though, should Niko Kovac opt to shuffle his pack later in the game. It looks like Serge Gnabry will lead the line. Eighteen-year-old reserve-team forward Leon Dajaku is also on a formidable-looking bench.

WELCOME!

What a big ask this is for Bochum. Fighting relegation in Bundesliga 2, they take on the mighty Bayern - record Bundesliga and DFB Cup champions, and the holders!