Saarbruecken Stuns Bayern Munich with Last-Minute Victory

 Saarbruecken Stuns Bayern Munich with Last-Minute Victory

Thomas Mueller of Bayern Munich shoots whilst challenged by Marcel Gaus and Tim Schreiber of FC Saarbrücken during the DFB cup second round match between 1. FC Saarbrücken and FC Bayern München at Ludwigsparkstadion on November 01, 2023 in Saarbruecken, Germany.(Image-Getty)

In a stunning upset, Saarbruecken, competing in the third tier, shocked Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich 2-1 with a dramatic last-minute goal, eliminating them from the German Cup during the second round.

The match witnessed an electrifying finish as Marcel Gaus secured the winning goal for the hosts in the dying moments of second-half stoppage time, igniting jubilant celebrations among the home crowd while leaving the Bayern players visibly stunned.

Having taken an early lead through Thomas Mueller, Bayern, who last clinched the cup in 2020, saw their advantage nullified as Saarbruecken managed to equalize just before halftime.

Reflecting on the unexpected defeat, Mueller lamented the blow to his team, acknowledging Saarbruecken's tenacity and a touch of luck as key factors in the outcome. With a crucial match against title rivals Borussia Dortmund looming in the Bundesliga, Mueller expressed disappointment at the team's early exit, emphasizing the need to capitalize on missed opportunities throughout the game.

Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel opted for several lineup changes compared to the previous resounding 8-0 victory over Darmstadt 98, notably benching key figures such as Harry Kane, Kingsley Coman, and Jamal Musiala, while granting 20-year-old Frans Kraetzig his first start.

Despite the initial concerns surrounding the match due to adverse weather conditions, Saarbruecken demonstrated early dominance, unsettling Bayern's defense. Although Bayern managed to open the scoring through Mueller assisted by Kraetzig, the team encountered setbacks, including a knee injury to defender Matthias de Ligt.

The first half concluded with further disappointment for Bayern as a defensive error led to a close-range equalizer by Patrick Sontheimer, intensifying the challenge for the reigning champions.

Struggling to convert their scoring opportunities, Bayern ultimately succumbed to Saarbruecken's decisive counterattack, culminating in Gaus's decisive left-foot strike in the sixth minute of added time, sealing the hosts' unexpected triumph over the Bundesliga giants.