Bayern Munich Cup Slip Raises Champions League Stakes

Bayern Munich sealed a third consecutive German title last Sunday, yet defeat to Borussia Dortmund in the German Cup on Tuesday means it won’t seem like much if they fail to triumph in the Champions League, a cup they won in 2013, when they also won the Bundesliga and the German Cup to complete a unique treble.

Bayern Munich crashed out of the German Cup at the semifinal stage after losing on penalties, after their 1-1 draw with Dortmund at the Allianz Arena preceded the almost unheard of sight of a German side missing four straight penalties in the shoot out.

Lahm, Alonso, Gotze & Neuer all missed from the spot: https://t.co/2MBjP1E7ET

— Sam (@samuelJayC) April 28, 2015

Goals from Robert Lewandowski and Pierre Emerick Aubameyang sent the game into extra time, after which Bayern Munich’s Phillip Lahm and Xabi Alonso both slipped, Mario Gotze had his shot saved and Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer hit the crossbar as Dortmund progressed 2-0 on penalties. That ended any chance of Bayern Munich matching the achievements of 2013, when they were managed by Jupp Heynckes.

It was always going to be a tough act to follow, even for Guardiola, who arrived at Bayern Munich that summer after the sabbatical that followed his highly successful spell at Barcelona. He settled right in domestically as Bayern Munich secured another title in 2014, locked up with no less than seven rounds left to play.

The Champions League proved a more humbling experience for Guardiola and Bayern Munich. They reached the last four again — for the 4th time in 5 years — but were well beaten, 5-0 on aggregate, by eventual winners Real Madrid.

Bayern Munich have secured another title with room to spare — the Bundesliga runs for another four weeks — but, with the Cup now gone, they’ll be eager to make amends in the Champions League, a task that won’t be made any easier after Bayern Munich drew Spanish giants Barcelona in the Champions League semi final draw last week.

And they won’t be helped by Tuesday’s Cup exertions either. Bayern Munich could well be without first choice players Thiago Alcantara, Arjen Robben and Lewandowski, who all suffered injuries against Dortmund and could join an absentee list that already includes David Alaba, Holger Badstuber and Franck Ribery when Bayern Munich visit Barcelona for the Champions League semi final first leg next Tuesday.

Guardiola, of course, has a deep squad at his disposal and Bayern Munich would still be able to name a strong team next week. But they’ll need to be at their very best to overcome a Barcelona side coming into great form at the moment.

There was talk of Guardiola’s job being on the line following Bayern Munich’s 3-1 first leg defeat in the quarter finals a few weeks ago. A resounding 6-1 win at home put Bayern Munich in the last four though, and promptly put paid to that.

Another Champions League stumble is sure to revive that — such are the demands at Bayern Munich.

[Photo by Alex Grimm/Bongarts/Getty Images]