Borussia Dortmund coach Juergen Klopp admits his side were “lucky” to beat Bayern Munich in their German Cup semi-final.
Dortmund’s victory over their arch rivals at the Allianz Arena ended Pep Guardiola’s side’s dream of winning the treble, with Bayern already confirmed as the Bundesliga champions, while they face Barcelona in the semi-finals of the Champions League.
[Bayern Munich miss four penalties in a row to blow treble dream]
With the two sides locked in a stalemate in normal time, courtesy of goals from Bayern’s Robert Lewandowski and Dortmund’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, the tie was to be decided on a penalty shootout.
The spot-kicks turned into a nightmare for Guardiola’s side, who missed all four from 12 yards. Slips from Philipp Lahm and Xabi Alonso contributed to the defeat, but it was Manuel Neuer’s effort that cannoned off the bar which ensured Klopp got one over Bayern one last time before he departs in the summer.
following the win, Klopp admitted that his side were fortunate to make it through to the final, saying: “That was the game from hell. We were lucky, no question about it. Both teams gave it everything. Bayern were far superior in the first half.
“Going in at half-time only 1-0 down is the best you can hope for when you play the way we did in the first half, but we more than deserved the equaliser in the second half. It was meant to be today! We’re overjoyed about going through against these unbelievably strong opponents.”
Bayern captain Lahm was rather philosophical about the defeat, though he admitted it was tough to take. He said: “Obviously you’re going to slip sometimes but it’s agonising when something like that happens in a semi-final. There are certainly better moments to have your standing leg give way.
“We failed to wrap it up in normal and extra time. The luckier team wins in a shootout. It’s a shame we’re not through to the final because we know how wonderful it is. Congratulations to Borussia Dortmund.”