DFB-Pokal holders Bayern Munich fought to the last eight with a 4-3 Triumph over fellow Bundesliga side Hoffenheim in Allianz Arena.
Holders Bayern seemed to be cruising in the last eight when Lewandowski placed them 3-1 up at half-time on Wednesday, however, a lacklustre second-half revealing gave Hoffenheim, who had taken the lead through Jerome Boateng’s own target, unexpected hope.
Bayern had quickly levelled when Benjamin Hubner put through his own goal before Muller, that had a hand in all three of their hosts’ first-half goals nosed them beforehand.
Lewandowski’s second made it 4-1 with 10 minutes to go before Munas Dabbur’s late double setup the chance of an unlikely comeback which just fell short as Bayern finally did enough to reserve their progress.
Bayern believed they had the lead in the fifth minute, however, Muller had strayed marginally offside before he teed up Lewandowski and, against the run of play, the hosts were behind when Boateng slit in Ihlas Bebou’s strike.
However, Hoffenheim’s lead was short lived as Hubner, under pressure from Muller, was just able to turn Alphonso Davies’ cross into his own net.
The turnaround was complete at the 20th minute, Muller sending a casual side-foot volley beyond Philipp Pentke, who subsequently made outstanding ceases to deny Lewandowski and Serge Gnabry.
Lewandowski wouldn’t be denied again, however, heading into an empty net after Muller forced Pentke to a bad punch.
Pentke did well to stop Lewandowski doubling his tally five minutes after the break before Muller wasted a golden opportunity to receive his second.
Steven Zuber had a goal disallowed for the traffic and Bayern extended the lead when Lewandowski led in Joshua Kimmich’s corner with 10 minutes remaining.
The hosts just about saw it out, however, to place their names into the hat for the past eight.
Despite Flick’s struggles in Bayern, Niko Kovac did win the national double last season and Hansi Flick, that is surely in with a chance of getting the job indefinitely will be glad to match his predecessor’s accomplishments.
With Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig having both slipped out on Tuesday, Bayern are surely the clear favourites to win the competition for what is a 20th time, even though they’ll have to be more powerful at the back in the next round.
After a challenging period in 2018-19, Muller was back to his best since Flick took control and, along with Lewandowski, finally guaranteed Bayern’s defensive lapses didn’t return to price the hosts on Wednesday.
It was a woeful start for Boateng, who made a wreck of trying to clear Bebou’s attempt and the former Manchester City guy was lucky not to net a second own goal in the second half when he deflected a hit just over the bar.
Pavard, meanwhile, made a bad mistake for Hoffenheim’s ultimate goal and along with the rest of the defence was guilty of overplaying when Dabbur made it 4-2.
