Bayern Munich are into the DFB-Pokal semi-finals for an 11th successive season thanks to a hard-fought 1-0 win at Bundesliga rivals Schalke on Tuesday.
David Wagner’s Schalke truly had their moments at the Veltins Arena, particularly in the first half, however Bayern have been extra clinical and their superior quality told in the end to continue the defence of their crown.
Despite having some distance more of the ball, Bayern were fortunate to survive a few first-half scares as Guido Burgstaller proved particularly hazardous when hitting the crossbar and having a goal chalked off, but the visitors went into the break in advance thanks to Joshua Kimmich’s strike.
The home side have been significantly less advantageous going forward in the second half and Bayern should have accelerated the advantage, however the one-goal lead was once ample to secure progression.
Schalke had the better of the interesting early exchanges, as Alessandro Schopf curled just wide before Burgstaller struck the bar and then additionally had a goal disallowed for straying marginally offside.
Bayern dominated possession, having 83 per cent of it in the first half, but their first genuine chance in reality came via a Schalke defender – Jean-Clair Todibo back-tracking to meet Kimmich’s go and his headed clearance pressured Markus Schubert into a excellent acrobatic stop.
Schubert was helpless from the resulting corner, however, the set-piece cleared as a long way as Kimmich on the edge of the field and his effort found the bottom-left nook through a crowd of players.
Philippe Coutinho nearly extended Bayern’s lead just past the hour, his long-range curling effort coming back off the bar a few minutes before Benito Raman shot tamely at Manuel Neuer when one-on-one following a bursting run from Rabbi Matondo.
Former Schalke midfielder Leon Goretzka went close to a wonderful goal 18 minutes from time – his overhead-kick from about sixteen yards clipping the bar, but Bayern were now not made to rue that misfortune.
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