[ad_1]
Bayern Munich gamers celebrated in entrance of empty stands after claiming its 20th German Cup title on Saturday.
The staff confirmed its home dominance by beating Bayer Leverkusen 4-2 within the nation’s first cup closing held with out supporters current, due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“(It’s) a bit sad when the fans are missing for such a cup final in such a great stadium,” Bayern ahead Thomas Müller stated. “I was thinking about it during the award ceremony. It hurts a bit.”
Bayern, which had already gained its eighth straight Bundesliga title, retained the cup with objectives from David Alaba, Serge Gnabry and two from Robert Lewandowski as he handed the 50-goal mark for this season.
It was Bayern’s second straight league and cup double, its 13th total. Now Bayern is focusing on the reorganized Champions League in August because it bids to repeat the treble-winning season beneath Jupp Heynckes in 2013.
Leverkusen had been chasing its first title of any kind since 1993, when it final gained the cup. Since then it has completed runner-up on 9 events in numerous competitions, triggering taunts of “Vicekusen” from rivals.
Supporters have been excluded from Berlin’s 75,000-capacity Olympiastadion. Only 691 folks have been allowed, together with Germany coach Joachim Löw, who watched whereas carrying a black face masks and good go well with.
Hygiene measures have been strict. Normally noisy roads could be teeming with visitors and followers forward of the German soccer showpiece, however the space was eerily quiet earlier than kickoff.
Fast meals vendor Sven Grosch was the one one who opened his kiosk to promote sausages, beer and fries. He waited wearily together with his arms folded behind his counter as solely a trickle of curious onlookers handed by.
“It’s just sad without fans,” Grosch informed The Associated Press. He stated he had acquired state assist to assist him overcome the monetary hit from the pandemic, “but it’s not sustainable. I hope supporters are allowed back at games sooner rather than later.”
German soccer officers are in talks about permitting a restricted variety of supporters to video games with strict social distancing measures when the brand new season begins in September, however no one can say when stadiums can be crammed to capability as earlier than.
Germany has confirmed nearly 200,000 instances of COVID-19 however has saved its demise toll comparatively low at simply over 9,000. The Bundesliga was the primary European league to resume from suspensions brought on by the pandemic.
“I am so incredibly sorry that you didn’t have any spectators today. It’s something I sorely miss and you do too,” German soccer federation president Fritz Keller stated throughout Bayern’s trophy presentation. “That we’re standing here at all is down to a lot of busy people.”
Bayern dominated from the beginning and will have been main by greater than two objectives on the break.
Alaba broke the impasse with an excellent free kick inside the highest proper nook within the 16th minute and Leverkusen was grateful to goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky for blocking Thomas Müller from shut vary shortly afterward.
Bayern maintained its stress and Gnabry fired within the second objective within the 24th.
Leverkusen seemed in need of concepts and unsure. Peter Bosz reacted with two adjustments on the break, however little appeared to change.
Substitute Kevin Volland ought to have scored for Leverkusen within the 57th, however he missed the ball whereas making an attempt to shoot, two minutes earlier than Hradecky allowed Lewandowski’s shot to slip by on the different finish.
Leverkusen midfielder Sven Bender pulled a objective again within the 64th, prompting a wild section wherein Leverkusen missed extra probabilities.
But Lewandowski killed off any slim hopes of a comeback together with his second objective within the 89th. It was his 51st objective throughout all competitions this season.
Leverkusen star Kai Havertz scored a penalty with the final contact of the sport. He didn’t have a good time.
[ad_2]
Source link