We demand to produce an SEO headline under 80 characters, factual, active voice, front-load primary entity (person, place, org). The article is about FC Bayern Munich reaching DFB-Pokal final after 2-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen, ending six-year drought, etc. Must not invent entities. Must be specific, strong verb like „secures“, „reaches“, „advances“, „clinches“. Must be under 80 characters. Must be for readers searching this topic (Germany). No colon unless adds clarity. No quotes. No „amid“, „sparks“, etc. We need front-load primary entity: likely „FC Bayern Munich“. Then verb: „reaches DFB-Pokal final after 2-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen“. Let’s count characters. „FC Bayern Munich reaches DFB-Pokal final after 2-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen“ Count: Let’s count characters including spaces. FC(2) + space=1 =>3 Bayern(6) =>9 space=1 =>10 Munich(6)=>16 space=1 =>17 reaches(7)=>24 space=1=>25 DFB-Pokal(9? D-F-B- -P-o-k-a-l? Actually „DFB-Pokal“ length 9 inc hyphen) =>34 space=1=>35 final(5)=>40 space=1=>41 after(5)=>46 space=1=>47 2-0(3)=>50 space=1=>51 win(3)=>54 space=1=>55 over(4)=>59 space=1=>60 Bayer(5)=>65 space=1=>66 Leverkusen(10)=>76 Total 76 characters. Under 80. Good. It front-loads FC Bayern Munich. Verb „reaches“ is strong. No colon. No banned words. It’s factual. Check if any other entity needed? Could also be „FC Bayern Munich secures DFB-Pokal final berth with 2-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen“. Let’s count that. „FC Bayern Munich secures DFB-Pokal final berth with 2-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen“ Count: FC(2)+space=3 Bayern(6)=9 space=10 Munich(

FC Bayern Munich reached the DFB-Pokal final for the first time since 2020 after a 2-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen on April 22, 2026, ending a six-year drought in Germany’s premier cup competition.

The win at Leverkusen’s BayArena secured Bayern’s place in the May 23 final at Berlin’s Olympiastadion, where they will face either VfB Stuttgart or SC Freiburg. Harry Kane opened the scoring in the 22nd minute, capitalizing on a Jamal Musiala assist, while Luis Díaz added a late goal in the 90th minute plus three to seal the result.

Manuel Neuer, who has won the DFB-Pokal six times in his career — five with Bayern and one with Schalke — described the emotional weight of returning to Berlin’s Olympic Stadium. Speaking to ZDF after the match, Neuer said he had “missed Berlin every single day” and called the final appearance a “special day for the entire club.”

The victory came just three days after Bayern clinched the Bundesliga title, underscoring the club’s renewed push for a historic treble. Vincent Kompany emphasized the match’s significance, stating that defeating Leverkusen was “just as important” as their recent Champions League quarterfinal clash against Real Madrid.

Bayern dominated possession and territory throughout the game, limiting Leverkusen to few chances despite early efforts from Díaz and Kane that were saved by goalkeeper Mark Flekken. Kompany praised Musiala’s composure in buildup play, noting the young attacker’s growing influence in the absence of the injured Serge Gnabry, who will miss the upcoming World Cup due to injury.

The triumph marks a stark reversal of Bayern’s recent struggles in the DFB-Pokal. Over the past five seasons, the club had suffered early exits, including a 0-5 loss to Borussia Mönchengladbach in 2021/22 — their worst-ever cup defeat — and losses to Holstein Kiel, SC Freiburg and 1. FC Saarbrücken in subsequent campaigns. Most recently, Bayern had lost 1-0 to Leverkusen in the round of 16 during the 2024/25 season.

Kompany highlighted the psychological breakthrough, noting that the team had finally overcome a persistent mental barrier in cup competitions. The coach pointed to the squad’s improved resilience and tactical discipline as key factors in breaking the cycle of early eliminations.

Neuer’s celebration included a personal touch: a photograph from a past Bayern cup-final choreography, gifted by a club staffer, with the German phrase “Guess who’s back” written on the back — a private moment that reflected the collective relief felt across the squad.

With the league title already secured, Bayern now turn their full attention to the cup final and the upcoming Champions League semifinal against Paris Saint-Germain. Kompany acknowledged the scheduling challenge but insisted the team remains focused on one match at a time.

What does this victory mean for Bayern Munich’s season?

It keeps alive the possibility of a historic treble, with Bayern now having won the Bundesliga and advancing to both the DFB-Pokal and Champions League semifinals.

How did Manuel Neuer react to reaching the final?

Neuer expressed deep emotion about returning to Berlin’s Olympiastadion, stating he had missed the venue and describing the occasion as a special moment for the entire club.