BERLIN: Bayern Munich will turn their Allianz Arena into a free giant public-viewing stadium to screen their Champions League final at Wembley against Borussia Dortmund live on May 25 with a crowd of 45,000 expected after tickets became available on Thursday.
With Bayern having received 250,000 ticket requests for the Wembley showdown, the first time two German clubs have contested the European final, the Bavarian giants are offering free tickets to fans to watch the game in Munich.
Two of the Allianz Arena’s three tiers will be open for fans to watch the game on giant screens, dropping the stadium’s capacity from 60,000 to 45,000, with each fan able to claim a maximum of four tickets from the stadium’s box office.
A second public-viewing location will also be open in Munich’s Theresienwiese, where the world-famous Oktoberfest beer festival is held each September.
When Bayern lost the 2010 Champions League final 2-0 to Inter Milan, some 60,000 fans filled the Allianz Arena to watch the defeat in Madrid.
Last May, 65,000 supporters crammed into Munich’s Olympic Stadium to watch Bayern’s penalty shoot-out defeat at the hands of Chelsea in their own Allianz Arena stadium.
Bayern to screen Euro final in Munich Arena
Bayern to screen Euro final in Munich Arena
Leeds survive Birmingham scare to reach FA Cup fifth round
- Wolves also avoided an upset as they won 1-0 at fourth-division Grimsby
LONDON: Leeds survived an FA Cup scare to reach the fifth round with a penalty shoot-out victory against second-tier Birmingham on Sunday.
Birmingham substitute Patrick Roberts snatched an 89th-minute equalizer at St. Andrew’s to cancel out Lukas Nmecha’s 49th-minute opener for Leeds.
With a feisty fourth round tie level at 1-1 after extra-time, Leeds won the shoot-out 4-2.
Joel Piroe, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Brenden Aaronson and Sean Longstaff all converted their penalties for Daniel Farke’s team.
Tommy Doyle’s effort was saved by Leeds goalkeeper Lucas Perri before Roberts fired over the crossbar.
Battling to avoid relegation from the Premier League, Leeds are one win away from reaching the quarterfinals for the first time since 2003.
Wolves also avoided an upset as they won 1-0 at fourth-division Grimsby.
Grimsby stunned Manchester United in the League Cup earlier this season.
But Wolves avoided similar embarrassment thanks to Santiago Bueno’s 60th-minute goal from the visitors’ first shot on target on a mud-caked pitch at Blundell Park.
Grimsby did not manage to force Wolves ‘keeper Sam Johnstone into a save until Andy Cook’s header in the 90th minute.
It was Wolves’ first away win since beating Manchester United in April.
Mired in a miserable season that has left them bottom of the Premier League and almost certain to be relegated, Rob Edwards’ side can still salvage some pride in the FA Cup.
Fulham came from behind to win 2-1 at second tier Stoke.
Cottagers boss Marco Silva made 10 changes from their midweek defeat at Manchester City and nearly paid for the gamble.
South Korean midfielder Bae Jun-ho capped a fine move to put Stoke ahead after 19 minutes.
But Brazilian winger Kevin got his reward for an impressive performance in the 55th minute, sending a first-time shot into the bottom corner.
Harrison Reed completed Fulham’s escape act in the 84th minute, intercepting a poor pass from Stoke keeper Tommy Simkin and slotting home.
Sunderland reached the fifth round for the first time since 2015 as Habib Diarra’s controversial penalty clinched a 1-0 win at second tier Oxford.
Regis Le Bris’ side went in front after 32 minutes when Dennis Cirkin tumbled under Christ Makosso’s challenge.
Referee Thomas Kirk pointed to the spot despite Oxford’s protests and Diarra rubbed salt into their wounds as he calmly converted the penalty.
