Arjen Robben scored in extra time Wednesday to lift Bayern Munich
to 1-0 victory at Schalke and take the Bundesliga leader to the
final of the German Cup for the 17th time.
Bayern will play Werder Bremen in the final May 15 in Berlin
hoping for its 15th title. Werder, a six-time winner and
titleholder, beat second-division Augsburg 2-0 on Tuesday to reach
its 10th final.
Robben broke free on the right side, cut inside past
Christoph Moritz and placed his shot inside the far post in the
112th minute.
"I think we were the better side tonight and I think we were
fresher in extra time," said Robben, whose goal allowed Bayern to
bounce back from a 2-1 loss to Eintracht Frankfurt in the
Bundesliga on Saturday. "I had a good feeling before the goal."
Schalke defender Heiko Westermann said Robben should not have
been allowed to succeed with his solo move.
"We were three on one and he should have never gotten past
us, but we felt tired at the end," Westermann said.
Bayern coach Louis van Gaal said his team deserved to win.
"We controlled most of the game except at the start of the
second half. We had more chances and we were the better team," van
Gaal said.
While the win left Bayern on course for a possible three
titles this season - it has reached the Champions League
quarterfinals - Schalke can still hope for its first championship
in 52 years in its first season under coach Felix Magath.
Schalke trails Bayern by one point in the Bundesliga and the
two teams play again April 3 in a match that could decide the
championship.
The game between the two top teams in the Bundesliga provided
few highlights.
Ivica Olic and Robben missed early chances for Bayern, while
Alexander Baumjohann had a good shot smothered by Joerg Butt.
Ivan Rakitic came close early in the second half and Kevin
Kuranyi's shot was stopped by Butt, before Bastian Schweinsteiger
tested Schalke goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.
Little else happened in regulation and Bayern did not have
another chance until Miroslav Klose's effort narrowly missed the
target in the 110th minute.
