Bayern Munich break through against Borussia Dortmund, knock rivals out of German Cup

The gap between Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund was huge everywhere but the scoreboard, but even there, Arjen Robben separated the two sides.

A curling first half shot from near the arc in today’s German Cup quarterfinal gave FCB a 1-0 win over the holders, Bayern’s first competitive victory over BVB since Feb. 2010. The win also have Bayern redemption for May’s 5-2 defeat in the previous Pokal final, a match that saw the Bavarians embarrassed by Germany’s new rulers

That reign is clearly over. Having finally fallen in a head-to-head meeting with Bayern, Borussia Dortmund have no more claims to the throne. If a 17-point lead in the Bundesliga wasn’t convincing enough, the chasm between the two sides at the Allianz confirmed. Bayern is again the standard in German soccer.

And ultimately, it was a fortunate result for Dortmund, who were dominated from the get-go. As Bayern’s post-match celebrations confirmed, their mission was one of redemption, with their early intensity giving them an edge they never relinquished. The resulting pressure created the only goal, with Phillip Lahm’s high efforts and a Felipe Santana error leading to the ball that found Robben.

Germany’s defending champions had only one shot on goal. Bayern had nine. That they also controlled 57 percent of the possession was no surprise, given how Jurgen Klopp’s come to set up against Bayern, but with Dortmund unable to generate chances on the counter, this was one of the more lopsided 1-0 results you’ll see between top teams.

The disparity in play forced you to pause and consider the turnaround. Last year, the Bavarians had no answer for BVB. Now they’re in another world, remarkable better than a rival that won a Champions League group that featured Real Madrid.

Bayern’s clearly the best team in the world right now, but for a club that’s lost two of the last three Champions League finals, the question is whether they can maintain this form over the next three-and-a-half months. They have to carry this momentum to May’s Champions League final at Wembley. Given this is the level they’ve played at since August, it’s hard to see them collapsing.

The only question in my mind is whether Jupp Heynckes can get this team ready for the winner-takes-all match that awaits them in May. They stumbled last year and were upset at home by Chelsea. Will whatever befell them last year keep them from aiming this year’s title?

Here’s the day’s only goal, Arjen Robben beating Roman Weidenfeller to knock Borussia Dortmund out of the German Cup.