European roundup: Freiburg shock Bayern as Lukaku sees red after goal

  • 4/4/2023
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Freiburg stunned favourites Bayern Munich 2-1 in their German Cup quarter-final thanks to a second-half stoppage-time penalty from Lucas Höler. In a shock defeat for the Bundesliga leaders, in coach Thomas Tuchel’s second game in charge, Hoeler sent keeper Yann Sommer the wrong way to book their spot in the last four. “I am not really angry. We conceded two goals with two shots. I can’t remember another chance from Freiburg,” Tuchel said after his team missed out on the first trophy of the season. “The last pass, precision obviously, are all an issue. But still we had good moments we could have used, but just could not keep it up.” “In the end it is our fault. We are very disappointed (to lose) a quarter-final at home. Of course I am responsible.” Bayern, fresh from Saturday’s 4-2 league win over title rivals Borussia Dortmund, took a 19th-minute lead when Dayot Upamecano rose high to power in his header from a Joshua Kimmich corner. But Freiburg kept finding ways to attack and an unstoppable 20-metre missile from Nicolas Höfler drew them level. With Tuchel growing impatient on the sidelines, his team upped the pressure but it was Freiburg who scored after Jamal Musiala’s hand ball in the box. Höler stepped up to end the hosts’ run in the Cup with his last-gasp spot kick. “I am delighted with this result,” said Freiburg coach Christian Streich. “We needed a bit of luck as well but we worked hard. The lads defended really well.” Eintracht Frankfurt also booked their spot in the last four with a 2-0 victory over Union Berlin thanks to Randal Kolo Muani’s double within three minutes. Juventus and Inter shared the spoils in a 1-1 Coppa Italia semi-final draw, after a stoppage-time penalty by Romelu Lukaku cancelled out a late goal by Juve midfielder Juan Cuadrado. Cuadrado gave Juventus the lead in the 83rd minute when he collected a loose ball inside the box and sent it into the bottom left corner after Inter defender Alessandro Bastoni had unsuccessfully tried to clear it off the line. When it seemed that the game would end with a first-leg advantage for the home side, a handball by Juventus defender Gleison Bremer gifted the visitors a spot kick, flawlessly executed by Lukaku who sent Juve goalkeeper Mattia Perin the wrong way. The Belgian striker was sent off because of a second yellow card moments later, while Inter captain Samir Handanovic and Cuadrado also got red cards immediately after the final whistle. Cremonese host Fiorentina in the second semi-final on Wednesday. An extra-time goal from Pablo Ibáñez snatched a 1-1 draw for Osasuna against Athletic Bilbao in their Copa del Rey semi-final second leg to give them a 2-1 win on aggregate and put them in their first cup final since 2005. Athletic, down a goal from the first leg, opened the scoring at the San Mamés stadium in the 32nd minute when Mikel Vesga flicked on a corner to Iñaki Williams, who tipped in the ball from close range. Osasuna levelled the score and took the lead on aggregate in the 116th minute when substitute Ibáñez collected a cross on the edge of the box and volleyed well beyond the reach of goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala. Barcelona host Real Madrid in the second semi-final on Wednesday, with Barça leading 1-0 from the first leg.

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