Nathan Tella’s Strike Knocks Bayern Out in Cup Thriller

Nathan Tella’s decisive strike sent Bayer Leverkusen into the German Cup quarter-finals as they edged past 10-man Bayern Munich. Bayern suffered an early blow when goalkeeper Manuel Neuer was sent off in the 17th minute for a reckless collision with Jeremie Frimpong outside the box. Despite the numerical advantage, Leverkusen struggled to break through Bayern’s defense until the 69th minute.

The breakthrough came when Alex Grimaldo delivered a perfect cross into the box which Nathan Tella’s expert volley flew past substitute keeper Daniel Peretz. Tella formerly of Burnley and Southampton secured the win with a clinical finish. Although missing injured top scorer Harry Kane, Bayern had several opportunities to equalize.

Dayot Upamecano’s header narrowly missed the far post while Kingsley Coman failed to convert a promising corner from Joshua Kimmich. Kim Min-jae also squandered a chance with a weak header before halftime. Under Xabi Alonso, Leverkusen remain unbeaten in the German Cup marking his eighth consecutive victory in the competition as manager.

The win highlights Leverkusen’s strong form, as they overcame their fierce rivals in a high-stakes encounter. Meanwhile, Bayern’s trophy drought in the German Cup continues with their last win dating back to 2020. Despite Bayern’s 20 titles in the competition, their early exit this year reflects their ongoing struggles in knockout football.

The result underscores Leverkusen’s rise under Alonso with the team blending defensive resilience and sharp attacking play. For Bayern, the loss raises questions about their depth and adaptability without Kane and Neuer in critical moments.