Record cup winners FC Bayern München have reached the semi-finals of the DFB-Pokal for the ninth consecutive season. The Bundesliga leaders beat 3. Liga leaders 6-0 in front of a 15,000 strong crowd. Kingsley Coman (19'), Robert Lewandowski (25') and Joshua Kimmich gave Bayern a comfortable first-half lead, before Corentin Tolisso (55’) and Arjen Robben (86', 88') ensured no way back for the hosts.
"They were incredibly brave the way they played. Huge compliments to Paderborn. They tried to play football, even on this pitch," said Germany international Kimmich. "It’s always impressive to see how well we can do. We tried our best, but the opponent was just too strong for us," summed up Paderborn coach Steffen Baumgart.
Bayern were straight onto the offensive in the third minute, when Lewandowksi’s flying header was brilliantly saved by Michael Ratajczak. But the hosts responded positively and had a spell in the Bayern half, with corner after corner unable to force an unlikely opener. Robben managed to break free from the pressure with a solo run down the right, but could only find the side netting with his shot (19’).
Coman breaks the deadlock
Bayern soon recovered their grip on the game and caused more and more problems down Robben’s right side. The Dutchman provided the catalyst for Bayern’s opener in the 18th minute, when his scuffed shot landed perfectly for Coman to slot past Ratajczak from close range.
The second goal followed soon after, as Coman found Lewandowski free in the box before the Poland international placed the ball magnificently into the top corner. Despite the setback, Paderborn refused to sit back and accept defeat, however were unable to get too many shots off on Sven Ulreich’s goal – Marlon Ritter’s free kick flying inches past the post. Kimmich extended the lead shortly before the break following a fine outside-of-the-boot pass from Mats Hummels.
Brave Paderborn helpless to prevent goal glut
Paderborn refused to back down from their high-pressing style in the second half, despite the deficit. Niklas Süle made a last-minute block from close range to deny Sven Michel a consolation strike. But Bayern soon find their attacking gear once more, Corentin Tolisso heading in powerfully from a James Rodriguez corner.
As the match entered its final stages, Paderborn passed up a golden chance to score consolation goal, but Phillip Tietz just couldn’t connect with the ball to put away a certain goal. Arjen Robben bagged the goal of the day with a classic left-footed curler into the top corner in the 86th minute, before tapping in his second and Bayern’s sixth just two minutes later.
