Müller brace takes Bayern into German Cup final

Bayern Munich eased into its fourth cup final in five years as Thomas Müller scored in each half at the Allianz Arena, taking him past 150 goals for the club.

Published : Apr 20, 2016 12:07 IST , Munich

Bayern Munich's Thomas Muller celebrates after scoring against Werder Bremen.
Bayern Munich's Thomas Muller celebrates after scoring against Werder Bremen.
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Bayern Munich's Thomas Muller celebrates after scoring against Werder Bremen.

Thomas Muller kept Bayern Munich's treble hopes alive with both goals in a 2-0 DFB-Pokal semi-final victory over Werder Bremen.

Bayern, which leads the Bundesliga and is into the last four of the Champions League, eased into its fourth cup final in five years as Müller scored in each half at the Allianz Arena, taking him past 150 goals for the club.

Müller's milestone goal came after 30 minutes as he powered a header beyond Felix Wiedwald. That was the highlight of a half dominated by Bayern, but adding to its lead proved difficult and it was given a huge let-off on the hour. Under pressure from Fin Bartels, David Alaba looped his attempted clearance over goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, but referee Tobias Stieler spared his blushes as he ruled it out for an earlier foul.

Bayern duly put the game to bed soon after as substitute Arturo Vidal went down in the penalty area under a challenge from Janek Sternberg, allowing Muller to convert from the spot and secure the host's progression.

Its opponents in May's final will be decided on Wednesday when Hertha Berlin faces Borussia Dortmund in the second semifinal.

After extending its unbeaten run in all competitions to nine matches against Schalke on Saturday, Bayern started well and threatened through the impressive Kingsley Coman. The young French winger delivered two teasing crosses into the Bremen penalty area in the opening 20 minutes, but Franck Ribery and Robert Lewandowski were unable to convert.

Bayern continued to make all the running but uncharacteristically lacked quality in the final third, while Bremen was limited to a handful of counter attacks that failed to concern Neuer.

The host eventually found its range as Müller opened the scoring just after the half-hour mark, the World Cup winner given the freedom in Bremen's penalty area to head home Xabi Alonso's corner.

With five minutes of the half to play, Bremen was nearly handed an equaliser as Neuer - venturing outside his penalty area – gave away possession, but he was able to recover in time to hold on to Sambou Yatabare's attempted lob. Ribery and Coman continued to profit down the flanks after the restart but Bayern was still struggling to convert.

Bremen thought it had punished its illustrious rival just after the hour as Alaba's miscued clearance lobbed Neuer, but referee Stieler controversially ruled Bartels had fouled the Austrian in the build-up.

To rub salt into Bremen's wounds, Bayern was awarded a penalty 10 minutes later when Sternberg was adjudged to have fouled Vidal, allowing Müller to slot home his second from the penalty spot.

Alaba and Vidal both wasted late opportunities to add to Bayern's lead, but it mattered little as the Bavarians made it 10 games without defeat in all competitions on their way to yet another cup final.

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