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Bayern edge Frankfurt 2-1 to claim berth in German Cup final

Berlin, Jun 10 (efe-epa).- Bayern Munich overcame a late charge by Eintracht Frankfurt in Wednesday’s German Cup semifinal to prevail 2-1 and keep alive their hopes of hoisting the trophy for a second straight year.

The Bavarians dominated the first half behind closed door at Munich’s Allianz Arena, but Frankfurt, who upset Bayern to win the cup in 2018, battled back after the re-start to make it a contest.

Munich coach Hansi Flick made only one change to the lineup from last weekend’s Bundesliga victory over Bayer Leverkusen, starting Ivan Perisic in place of the injured Serge Gnabry.

Only a goal-line stop by Frankfurt defender Dominique Kohr stopped Thomas Müller from heading-in off a corner shortly after the opening whistle, while Leon Goretzka just missed meeting a Perisic cross in the 8th minute.

The next sequence saw Müller’s pass roll between Robert Lewandowski’s legs as the Polish striker stood unmarked in scoring position.

After the succession of near-misses, Perisic got his head to a Müller cross to put Bayern up 1-0 in the 14th minute.

The play began with a deep pass from Bayern goalkeeper to Kingsley Coman, whose ball found Müller in the area.

The hosts had chances to expand the advantage, but Coman failed to score into an empty net in the 26th minute and Frankfurt keeper Kevin Trapp made a good stop to deny Lewandowski in the 31st.

Reaching the break down by only a goal seemed to energize the visitors, who looked like a different team in the second half, battling for every ball.

No longer in control, Bayern struggled to create chances aside from a Joshua Kimmich effort in the 58th minute, eight minutes before Frankfurt sent in Danny da Costa and Daichi Kamada.

The pair wasted no time in turning the game on its head, as the visitors drew level in the 69th minute thanks to a Da Costa goal with an assist from Kamada.

Bayern were quick to react and Müller forced a save from Trapp just seconds before Lewandowski got the match winner in the 74rd minute.

Goretzka passed to Alphonso Davies, who waited for Trapp to come off his line before passing to Lewandowski for the easy goal.

The 19-time German Cup winners will face Bayer Leverkusen in the July 5 final in Berlin. EFE rz/dr

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