Posted by nitifia on April 7, 2010
Schalke coach Felix Magath opted to start ex-Bayern midfielder Alexander Baumjohann, who was in excellent form in last weekend’s 2-2 draw with Hamburg. The 23-year-old started on the right side of midfield, opposite Ivan Rakitic, in a 4-2-2-2 formation that was rather bold compared to Magath’s usual, ultra-conservative line-up.
For Bayern, two changes were made to Louis van Gaal’s previous starting eleven as youngster David Alaba, who made a howler on the weekend, was replaced by fit-again left-back Diego Contento, and Danijel Pranjic made way for compatriot Ivica Olic as Bayern changed shape from 4-2-3-1 to 4-2-2-2.
In the opening minutes, the play was surprisingly open. Schalke were defensive as always, but their offside trap was repeatedly beaten in the opening minutes. Chaos erupted after just seven minutes, when Arjen Robben’s poorly taken free kick fell short of the danger area, but reached the onside Ivica Olic. Schalke’s entire defence had sprinted forward, but the Croatian striker was onside. He fluffed his clear chance on goal, however, missing well wide of the right post.
Bayern had an even more clear-cut chance just two minutes later, when Robben peeled off the Schalke back line to receive a through ball, but Manuel Neuer sprinted off his line to make a world class stop and deny the Dutchman. The visitors’ attack continued to find gaps, but by the quarter hour mark, Schalke had settled in and were simply unshakeable in defence. The hosts spread their midfielders to put pressure on the Bayern defence and prevent any free space.
Bayern kept the ball on the ground, but their forward runs were very laborious. Bastian Schweinsteiger had some success in linking play, but at times even Robben had to pick up the ball around the halfway line. The Dutch winger was always double-teamed, and the Schalke defenders anticipated Philipp Lahm’s overlapping runs by moving into position to deny the German full-back.
With a combination of brilliant positional sense and outstanding tackling, the hosts managed to nullify the threat of Robben and Lahm, and whenever the ball managed to make its way to the edge of the penalty area, Marcelo Bordon and Benedikt Hoewedes were on hand to nullify any threat. The latter made a particularly brilliant tackle on 33 minutes, making up ground on Thomas Mueller and sticking a foot in to do just barely enough to stop the young German attacker.
Although their forward motion was very limited in the first half, Schalke were surely pleased with their defensive efforts, and looked more and more like favourites with each passing minute. As referee Knut Kircher blew his whistle for half-time, the scoreline still read 0-0.
At the start of the second half, Christoph Moritz replaced Bordon, who had sustained a knock to his head in the first period and was unable to continue. From the opening whistle, Magath’s men were far better going forward than they had been in the first period. In the first two minutes, Ivan Rakitic’ blast missed just wide before Kuranyi skipped past the Bayern defence, only to be denied by Butt. The Schalke striker was perhaps a bit too eager to shoot, and would have been better taking another touch before firing on goal.
After the opening minutes, Bayern settled down and looked composed on the defensive end. The game became very physical, but referee Knut Kircher was intent on keeping his cards pocketed and allowing play to continue with as few disruptions as possible.
As usual, Schalke looked dangerous in isolated instances. As the hour mark approached, Contento slipped as he tried a back pass, and conceded possession to Farfan, but the Peruvian was stopped as the Bayern defence recovered.
After 62 minutes, Franck Ribery finally came on for Bayern, as Van Gaal tried to stretch the field a bit wider. Magath responded by bringing in Joel Matip, who scored against Bayern in the fall campaign, for Zambrano.
Isolated instances of brilliance from Ribery and Robben continued to pressure the Schalke defence, but there was never any punctuation, as the hosts were more than capable of handling lone striker Klose.
Schweinsteiger had a chance to win it late in regular time, but after the ball twice deflected off Schalke defenders, the Bayern man’s shot was parried as Neuer conceded a corner.
In injury time, the game slowed as both teams grew increasingly fatigued. Chances remained few and far between for the hosts, and a scuffed shot from Moritz was the only real chance that Schalke created.
Eventually, the hosts’ legs tired enough for Robben to get the ball with space on the right flank, and this time, the Dutchman settled the score. With pace, the former Chelsea winger sprinted up the right side, then down the byline, before putting the ball on his left foot and striking his shot to the far post. Neuer got a fingertip to the ball, but could not save, and Bayern took a one-goal advantage.
As time ran out, Schalke threw men forward, but were hapless in midfield and became exposed at the back. Ribery missed a pair of easy opportunities late, allowing Schalke the chance for a stunning equaliser, but that never came.
Instead, Hoewedes’ header missed about a foot over the bar, and Bayern held on to reach the DFB Pokal final in Berlin. There, the Bavarians will face current holders Werder Bremen in a match that will surely be a spectacle to behold.
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