Leverkusen, Frankfurt join Bayern in cup semis
EINTRACHT FRANKFURT defeated ailing Werder Bremen 2-0 and Bayer Leverkusen came from behind to beat Union Berlin 3-1 yesterday to reach the semifinals of the German Cup.
They join holders Bayern Munich and fourthtier Saarbruecken in Sunday’s last-four draw.
In Leverkusen, the home side benefited from the dismissal of Union defender Christopher Lenz, with Karim Bellarabi almost immediately equalizing and Charles Aranguiz heading them ahead before Moussa Diaby wrapped up victory.
“Union did well. We were very sluggish in the first half and luckily did a lot better in the second half,” Leverkusen sports director Simon Rolfes told Sport1.
Frankfurt piled on Werder Bremen’s woes with a penalty from Andre Silva just before halftime and a second from Daichi Kamada on the hour to book their semifinal place.
Bremen had defender Oemer Toprak stretchered off in the final minute after a bad tackle from behind by Filip Kostic, who was shown a red card.
Toprak, 30, has a suspected fractured leg, Bremen coach Florian Kohfeldt said.
“This is severe blow for us,” he told Sky TV, adding that Kostic was himself “shocked.”
NORWICH CITY hero Tim Krul said the FA Cup penalty shootout win at Tottenham Hotspur yesterday could spark a late bid to preserve the club’s Premier League status.
Dutchman Krul saved two spot-kicks in the shootout, the second from Gedson Fernandes to send Norwich into the quarterfinals for the first time in 28 years.
The dramatic win followed Norwich’s 10 victory over Leicester City last weekend that fuelled belief they can claw their way out of the bottom three.
Norwich remain bottom, six points below the safety zone, but their attractive style and goal threat offers them hope.”
“Incredible. Maybe this is the turningpoint, we believe we can stay up,” said Krul,
Frankfurt's penalty was awarded following a video review after the ball hit the hand of Ludwig Augustinsson, whose arm was up as he challenged Timothy Chandler in an aeriel duel for the ball.
Kohfeldt was shown a yellow card for his reaction to the decison, and Augustinsson told broadcaster ARD there was little he could do as he was behind Chandler as he challenged for the header.
“I went up for the ball. He (Chandler) is bigger. I am very disappointed about this situation. I am not a fan of VAR,” he said.
Kohfeldt said of the video review there had who sent 9,000 Norwich fans wild with his penalty saves.
Krul used his full range of antics, wasting time and thumping his gloves together as Tottenham’s players prepared to take their kicks and it worked a treat.
First he saved from young striker Troy Parrott, then easily kept out Fernandes's weak attempt.
“Everyone says I am good at penalties so I knew I’d better start saving some,” he said.
“Me and my coach do our homework, I had them on my bottle, it all happens in a shootout. What a place to do it as well and for 9,000 fans to be here on a Wednesday night.” – Reuters been “a forensic search for a mistake of some sort.”
He added: “I would rather see real football. But I have no chance. I will be seen as a moaner who cannot accept a defeat. I have to accept the decision.”
The two sides were due to have played in the league on Sunday but the match was postponed after Frankfurt’s Europa League game at Salzburg was put back a day, a decision Bremen did not agree with.
Bremen, who have lost six of their last seven games, and beleaguered coach Kohfeldt must now turn his attention to a key visit to 14th-placed Hertha Berlin in the Bundesliga on Saturday. – dpa while Marcal had to leave the field after being handed his second red card.
“I prefer to say nothing about the penalty,” said Lyon boss Rudi Garcia, who side face PSG in the League Cup final next month.
“When you are 10 against 11 playing such a strong team it’s no longer a contest.”
Mbappe made sure of the Parisian's visit to the Stade de France next month with a superb solo effort with 20 minutes left, embarrassing Bruno Guimaraes and Marcelo before calmly slotting past Anthony Lopes.
Pablo Sarabia added a fourth with a stinging low strike 11 minutes later, and Mbappe completed his hattrick in stoppage time, tapping home Neymar’s cross. – AFP