Schweinsteiger happy as Bayern knock Werder out

Bastian Schweinsteiger has said German Cup holders Bayern Munich are delighted to be safely into the third round after they came from behind to inflict a 2-1 defeat on rivals Werder Bremen.

In a rematch of last season’s German Cup final, Schweinsteiger scored the winner in the 75th-minute at Munich’s Allianz Arena on Tuesday.

Ex-Bayern striker Claudio Pizarro put Bremen ahead with an early goal before Schweinsteiger equalised after veteran French defender Mickael Silvestre failed to move out with the rest of his defenders and put him onside.

Werder dominated the second-half but Pizarro had a header cleared off the line and Marko Arnautovic’s free-kick hit the post.

Schweinsteiger then netted the winner with a superb shot from 20 metres.

“We’re just pleased we’ve made the next round against extremely good opponents,” said Schweinsteiger.

“We didn’t play well in the period just after half-time, Bremen could certainly have scored a second, and we have to point the finger at ourselves for that.

“But I think we had some good chances too, and we were the better team in the first half. We’ve won, we’re through to the next round, and that’s what matters.”

Coach Louis van Gaal said the win was a welcome relief especially as Bayern were missing a host of regular players including striker Miroslav Klose and wingers Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery.

“I think it’s fantastic. We have so many injured players, it’s basically incredible,” said the Dutchman.