Bayern to face Dortmund in German Cup final
Reuters - Wednesday 21 March 2012, 22:57
Bayern Munich set up a
mouth-watering German Cup final with Bundesliga champions
Borussia Dortmund after beating Borussia Monchengladbach on
penalties on Wednesday to keep their treble chances on track.
Following a goalless 120 minutes, Bayern goalkeeper Manuel
Neuer, who was in fine form throughout the game, saved a penalty
by Havard Nordtveit after Gladbach's Dante had fired his spot-kick over the bar to clinch a 4-2 win on penalties.
Bayern are also still in the running for the Bundesliga and
Champions League titles.
Dortmund, top of the league with a five-point lead ahead of
second-placed Bayern, had booked their spot on Tuesday with a
last-gasp goal in extra time for a nervous 1-0 win over second
division leaders Greuther Fuerth.
"Both teams played an outstanding game," Bayern coach Jupp
Heynckes told reporters. "We had more chances but it was an open
game until the end. "Manuel Neuer has to be singled out
for a superb performance."
Hosts Gladbach, unbeaten at home for the previous 18
consecutive games having won 13 and drawn five, had twice
defeated the Bavarians in the league this season.
They were lucky, however, not to concede a goal after six
minutes with Toni Kroos' low drive hitting the post.
Bundesliga top scorer Mario Gomez was then denied by
Gladbach keeper Marc Andre ter Stegen, who parried the forward's
powerful header.
In an entertaining encounter, Bayern, who had scored 20
goals in their last three games, had the better chances with
Arjen Robben twice coming close while Gladbach's Marco Reus was
also twice denied by Neuer, including six minutes
from time in a one-on-one situation.
Dutchman Robben tried his luck from a distance in extra time
but his thundering drive was spectacularly palmed away by ter
Stegen.
In the penalty shootout that saw Bayern reach their 18th cup
final and their third in the last five editions, it was Gladbach
defender Dante, reportedly close to joining Bayern for next
season, who sent his spot-kick over the bar.
Neuer then saved a weak penalty from Norwegian Nordveit to
seal their spot in the final.
"It is tough being eliminated on penalties," said Gladbach
coach Lucien Favre, whose team are third in the Bundesliga. "But
we have to look forward. We have to get up and because Saturday
is again an important game for us. We can't change what has
happened."