As the clock ticked down on one of Arminia Bielefeld’s most famous victories, there was a moment when time seemed to stand still. Bayer Leverkusen, the DFB-Pokal holders, were 10 minutes from going out of the competition and, as if finally realising the urgency of the situation, shook themselves awake for one last big chance.
Jeremie Frimpong peeled away on the right and scooped a cross into the box, where Patrik Schick was waiting. He rose highest, headed back across goal and, as the stadium held its breath, watched the ball glance an upright and spin wide. Jonas Kersken, the Arminia goalkeeper, had been one of the heroes of the night, but he knew their fate had been out of his hands. He did the only thing he could do: planted a grateful kiss on the post.
