Wunderbar!
Defending champs Bayern cruise into German Cup last 16
FRANKFURT: Title-holders Bayern Munich got two goals from Thomas Mueller to cruise past Hanover 4-1 and into the last 16 of the German Cup on Wednesday.
But last season’s runners-up, Stuttgart, crashed out in Freiburg. Matthias Ginter and Mike Hanke scored in the second half for Freiburg, while Vedad Ibisevic cut the deficit late in the match.
Bayern beat Hanover in the Bundesliga 2-0 less than two weeks ago and dominated the Cup match as well.
Mueller opened the scoring in the 17th minute, Claudio Pizarro doubled the lead in the 27th, before Didier Ya Konan pulled one back for Hanover. But second-half goals from Mueller and substitute Franck Ribery secured Bayern’s victory.
Bayern had no trouble overcoming
When we use our chances, it’s going to be difficult to resist us. — CLAUDIO PIZARRO
Hanover despite coach Pep Guardiola resting several players, including striker Mario Mandzukic.
“When we use our chances, it’s going to be difficult to resist us,” Pizarro said.
Hanover was knocked out by Bayern in the semi-finals last season. Bayern completed an unprecedented treble for a German club by also capturing the Champions League and the Bundesliga.
Schalke advanced by winning 3-1 at Darmstadt, Hertha Berlin went out against Kaiserslautern 3-1 and Eintracht Frankfurt beat second-tier Bochum 2-0 on goals from Takashi Inui and Stefan Aigner.
Over two days, 10 Bundesliga, five second-tier and one ThirdDivision tier club, Saarbruecken, advanced to the third round. Saarbrucken, who had knocked out Werder Bremen in the first round, this time eliminated second-tier Paderborn 2-1.
Meanwhile, Robert Lewandowski has confirmed his move to Bayern.
The Polish hitman has been a target of English football for some time, with Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea all keen on acquiring his services.
Lewandowski even revealed Blues boss Jose Mourinho sent him a text asking him to join him at his next club after the striker scored four goals against Real Madrid in last season’s Champions League semi-final.
But Mourinho’s request has fallen on deaf ears as Lewandowski will sign a contract with Dortmund’s arch-rivals Bayern in January.
When asked whether he could confirm the switch, the 25-year-old said: “Yes, because then I can officially sign a contract.
“Officially, I can only say something in January. At this moment it is still too early. We still have to wait a bit.”
Lewandowski’s prospectivemove to Bayern has been an open secret for some time.
According to reports, Lewandowski has already agreed a four-year deal with Bayern. — Agencies