Seeing Red, Celebrating Black and Red

There are games where, as a Bayer fan, you wonder if everything really happened—and then there are games like the DFB-Pokal Round of 16 clash against Bayern Munich, where you know: yes, it was real, and it was glorious. A 1-0 victory in Munich, in the cup, and all with that familiar pulse-racing thrill that only our beloved Bayer 04 can deliver. But this time, it was different. This time, it was a masterclass in patience, cleverness, and yes, a little bit of luck. But hey, luck is part of the game—especially when Manuel Neuer decides to briefly moonlight as a football linebacker.

The match started as expected: Bayern sought to dictate the game, and we held our ground. Xabi Alonso sent out a tactically well-drilled team, and it was clear from the outset that we weren’t going to hide. Then came the moment that changed everything. Neuer, who had somehow gone over 860 professional matches without a red card, was caught off guard by Jeremie Frimpong’s blistering pace. A body check straight out of the NFL ended Neuer’s night early. For us, it was the moment hope began to swell. Sure, winning in Munich is never straightforward—but a Bayern side without Neuer feels just a little less invincible.

Even with the numerical advantage, it wasn’t as if we suddenly dominated the pitch at the Allianz Arena. Quite the opposite. Bayern showed why they are so feared as record champions. They fought back with defiance and quality, and our defense wobbled more than once. Especially in the first half, it felt like we might squander our opportunity. But then came the moment we’d all been waiting for—a substitution, a flash of brilliance, and a super-sub turned hero. Nathan Tella, not exactly renowned for his aerial prowess, rose into the Munich night to head home a flawless Grimaldo cross, sealing our place in the lead.

From that point on, it was a typical Bayer experience: anxiety, hope, a few choice expletives—and, in the end, jubilation. Bayern pressed, we held firm, and the minutes dragged on like a long drive back from Berlin after a cup defeat. But this time, it ended in triumph. Our defense held strong, Bayern found no answers, and when Frimpong smashed a shot against the crossbar in injury time, it was clear: tonight, luck was on our side.

What remains is more than just a quarterfinal berth. It’s proof that this team is from another era—a time when Bayer 04 doesn’t just compete but wins. Not just one game but over the course of an entire season. Sure, it’s just the cup, and anything can happen. But the way Xabi Alonso leads this team, how they play and fight, makes you want more. A team that wins in Munich can dare to dream. Of Berlin, of trophies, of something greater than what the past decades often lacked: consistency in the biggest moments.

Neuer will serve his suspension, Bayern will regroup, and the next challenges await. But for us, this night in Munich is a milestone. The defending champions are alive and well. Next up: St. Pauli, then Inter Milan. And if we play like we did against Bayern, Berlin might not just be a dream. It could be the start of a story we’ll tell later, beginning with, "Remember that night in Munich?"