Granit Xhaka scored the only goal as a 10-man Bayer Leverkusen beat Kaiserslautern 1-0 to lift the German Cup in Berlin on Saturday and give the club the league-cup double.

Crowned Bundesliga champions in mid-April, Leverkusen were made to fight hard against their second-division opponents, playing with a man down after Odilon Kossounou's second yellow late in the first half.

Xhaka's 16th-minute goal, a beautiful long-range strike with his left foot, made the difference as Leverkusen bounced back from Wednesday's Europa League final loss to Atalanta -- which ended both their season-long unbeaten run at 51 games and their hopes of a treble.

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"To win like that at the end, we showed our team spirit. We fought hard, we did it for everyone, the fans, the club," Xabi Alonso told Germany's ARD. &nbsp;"To achieve the double. It's been a great season".

Alonso won praise from his opposing coach Friedhelm Funkel, 70, who was managing his last game before retiring.

"To go through the Bundesliga season unbeaten, it's madness. That he could flick that switch in his first year, is incredible.

"I think he'll win many, many titles."

<h2>- Underdogs Kaiserslautern -</h2>

Kaiserslautern, four-time German champions stranded in the lower leagues since 2012, were bidding to become just the second club from outside the top division to lift the Cup after Hannover in 1992.

Narrowly avoiding relegation to the third league this season, Kaiserslautern only faced one top-division club on the way to the final -- the since-relegated Cologne.

Kossounou, who was left out of Wednesday's loss in Dublin, returned to the starting line-up and picked up a yellow card after just two minutes for a robust challenge on Kenny Prince Redondo.

Leverkusen then took the lead after 16 minutes, long-range expert Xhaka blasting in from well outside the penalty area.

Kaiserslautern almost struck a blow moments after the red card when Tobias Raschl lashed a shot inches wide of the post.

Kossounou's early yellow proved crucial when the Ivorian was sent from the pitch after a second booking in the 44th minute.

Alonso, who sat with his head in his hands after Kossounou's dismissal, made two changes at half-time, hooking striker Patrik Schick and winger Jonas Hofmann in favour of defensive reinforcements.

Driven on by a passionate set of travelling fans who unveiled a giant Red Devil, the club's mascot, just before kick-off, Kaiserslautern smelt blood but lacked the quality to break Leverkusen down.

Leverkusen's incredible season was built on front-foot football but Alonso's side were content to sit back and defend in the second half before attacking on the counter.

The experienced ex-player Alonso also tried to take the chaos out of the game, at one point stopping his own side's counter attack by grabbing Florian Wirtz with both arms to halt a throw-in.

Alonso said he tried to "calm down" his attacking midfielder, adding "we want control".

"He wants to be quick, but I wanted him to stay calm and control the tempo."

Leverkusen held on to win another piece of silverware this season, doubling the trophy tally in the club's entire history, after winning the German Cup in 1993 and the 1988 UEFA Cup.

The final was the first not to feature one of Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund or RB Leipzig since 2012 -- who boast a combined 27 German Cups.

Granit Xhaka scored the only goal as a 10-man Bayer Leverkusen beat Kaiserslautern 1-0 to lift the German Cup in Berlin on Saturday and give the club the league-cup double.

Granit Xhaka scored the only goal as a 10-man Bayer Leverkusen beat Kaiserslautern 1-0 to lift the German Cup in Berlin on Saturday and give the club the league-cup double. Crowned Bundesliga champions in mid-April, Leverkusen were made to fight hard against their second-division opponents, playing with a man down after Odilon Kossounou's second yellow late in the first half. Xhaka's 16th-minute goal, a beautiful long-range strike with his left foot, made the difference as Leverkusen bounced back from Wednesday's Europa League final loss to Atalanta -- which ended both their season-long unbeaten run at 51 games and their hopes of a treble. ALSO READ: Barcelona complete quadruple with third Women’s Champions League title "To win like that at the end, we showed our team spirit. We fought hard, we did it for everyone, the fans, the club," Xabi Alonso told Germany's ARD. "To achieve the double. It's been a great season". Alonso won praise from his opposing coach Friedhelm Funkel, 70, who was managing his last game before retiring. "To go through the Bundesliga season unbeaten, it's madness. That he could flick that switch in his first year, is incredible. "I think he'll win many, many titles." - Underdogs Kaiserslautern - Kaiserslautern, four-time German champions stranded in the lower leagues since 2012, were bidding to become just the second club from outside the top division to lift the Cup after Hannover in 1992. Narrowly avoiding relegation to the third league this season, Kaiserslautern only faced one top-division club on the way to the final -- the since-relegated Cologne. Kossounou, who was left out of Wednesday's loss in Dublin, returned to the starting line-up and picked up a yellow card after just two minutes for a robust challenge on Kenny Prince Redondo. Leverkusen then took the lead after 16 minutes, long-range expert Xhaka blasting in from well outside the penalty area. Kaiserslautern almost struck a blow moments after the red card when Tobias Raschl lashed a shot inches wide of the post. Kossounou's early yellow proved crucial when the Ivorian was sent from the pitch after a second booking in the 44th minute. Alonso, who sat with his head in his hands after Kossounou's dismissal, made two changes at half-time, hooking striker Patrik Schick and winger Jonas Hofmann in favour of defensive reinforcements. Driven on by a passionate set of travelling fans who unveiled a giant Red Devil, the club's mascot, just before kick-off, Kaiserslautern smelt blood but lacked the quality to break Leverkusen down. Leverkusen's incredible season was built on front-foot football but Alonso's side were content to sit back and defend in the second half before attacking on the counter. The experienced ex-player Alonso also tried to take the chaos out of the game, at one point stopping his own side's counter attack by grabbing Florian Wirtz with both arms to halt a throw-in. Alonso said he tried to "calm down" his attacking midfielder, adding "we want control". "He wants to be quick, but I wanted him to stay calm and control the tempo." Leverkusen held on to win another piece of silverware this season, doubling the trophy tally in the club's entire history, after winning the German Cup in 1993 and the 1988 UEFA Cup. The final was the first not to feature one of Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund or RB Leipzig since 2012 -- who boast a combined 27 German Cups.

Bayer Leverkusen bags maiden league-cup double with victory in German Cup Final

Bayern Munich continued their run for the double after the Bundesliga leaders defeated Eintracht Frankfurt 2-1 on Wednesday in the German Cup semi-final, with both teams supporting the Black Lives Matter movement.&nbsp;

<img alt="Bayern Munich training" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="630657e4-2dd6-4385-bdbc-65ed5df03fd3" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_1T79VX.jpg" />

The traditional corner flags were replaced by white flags with #BlackLivesMatter printed on it. Even the training jerseys had the same anti-racism message. While Bayern Munich switched to their traditional home kit for the match, Frankfurt had a special kit dedicated for the occasion. It was a sign of solidarity following the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, UK.&nbsp;

<img alt="Corner flag" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3e4208c6-c5b9-4739-8bbb-8439c6f24d3c" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_1T78ZS.jpg" />

Frankfurt’s Danny da Costa equalized in the second half to nullify Ivan Perisic’s early strike at the Allianz Arena. However, Bayern’s talisman Robert Lewandowski continued his hot form to convert his 45th goal of the 2019-20 season in all competitions.&nbsp;

Bayern Munich will now face Bayer Leverkusen in the final at the Berlin’s Olympic Stadium on July 4, in what promises to be a thrilling contest.

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"We didn't always make the right decisions in the area, we should have been three or four up at half-time, which would've made our lives much easier," admitted Bayern's Thomes Mueller, whose chip set up Perisic's opening goal.

"You could feel the tiredness from both teams in the second half when it got close, the will was there and we defended well, especially against the long balls."

However, Bayern Munich will be without Lewandowski and Mueller, who are suspended. &nbsp;Bayern will also be eyeing to wrap up their eighth consecutive Bundesliga title this weekend when they face Borussia Monchengladbach and given Borussia Dortmund lose their respective match.

<img alt="Bayern vs Frankfurt" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="05c38c94-84f8-4b70-812a-478adee2069d" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_1T81KI.jpg" />

"We need to rest up well and then go again on Saturday, the programme is punishing for all teams, so there is no whinging, but the tiredness is greater than the joy of reaching the final," added Mueller.&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

Bayern Munich continued their run for the double after the Bundesliga leaders defeated Eintracht Frankfurt 2-1 on Wednesday in the German Cup semi-final, with both teams supporting the Black Lives Matter movement.

Bayern Munich continued their run for the double after the Bundesliga leaders defeated Eintracht Frankfurt 2-1 on Wednesday in the German Cup semi-final, with both teams supporting the Black Lives Matter movement. The traditional corner flags were replaced by white flags with #BlackLivesMatter printed on it. Even the training jerseys had the same anti-racism message. While Bayern Munich switched to their traditional home kit for the match, Frankfurt had a special kit dedicated for the occasion. It was a sign of solidarity following the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, UK. Frankfurt’s Danny da Costa equalized in the second half to nullify Ivan Perisic’s early strike at the Allianz Arena. However, Bayern’s talisman Robert Lewandowski continued his hot form to convert his 45th goal of the 2019-20 season in all competitions. Bayern Munich will now face Bayer Leverkusen in the final at the Berlin’s Olympic Stadium on July 4, in what promises to be a thrilling contest. ALSO READ: US Soccer repeals anthem kneeling ban: official "We didn't always make the right decisions in the area, we should have been three or four up at half-time, which would've made our lives much easier," admitted Bayern's Thomes Mueller, whose chip set up Perisic's opening goal. "You could feel the tiredness from both teams in the second half when it got close, the will was there and we defended well, especially against the long balls." However, Bayern Munich will be without Lewandowski and Mueller, who are suspended. Bayern will also be eyeing to wrap up their eighth consecutive Bundesliga title this weekend when they face Borussia Monchengladbach and given Borussia Dortmund lose their respective match. "We need to rest up well and then go again on Saturday, the programme is punishing for all teams, so there is no whinging, but the tiredness is greater than the joy of reaching the final," added Mueller.

#BlackLivesMatter: Corner flags, jerseys share out anti-racism message as Bayern advance to German Cup final

Manuel Neuer has poured serious doubt on his World Cup chances while his Bayern Munich coach on Wednesday says Germany's goalkeeper will not play again for the club this season.

"I do not think it's imaginable that I go into such a tournament without match practice," Neuer said at an event on Tuesday night on his Russia 2018 chances.

Neuer, 32, has been sidelined by a fractured foot since September and is running out of time to be fit for Germany's opening World Cup match against Mexico in Moscow on June 17.

Heynckes said there was no chance Neuer would play in Bayern's last two games this season -- the final Bundesliga game at home to Stuttgart on Saturday and the German Cup final on May 19 against Eintracht Frankfurt in Berlin.

"Manuel won't play against Stuttgart -- and also not in the German Cup final," Heynckes told Kicker magazine.

That means Neuer can only get the necessary match practice in two games before the World Cup -- Germany's friendlies away to Austria in Klagenfurt on June 2 and at home against Saudi Arabia in Leverkusen on June 8.

"There are still a few games," Neuer said, but added that he cannot give a date for his return.

"There is no prognosis, I have to make the right decision for me, the team and Germany.

"It does not help to get distracted."

Coach Joachim Loew is still expected to include Neuer in his provisional World Cup squad, which will be named next Tuesday and then trimmed down for the final 23-man list.

The goalkeeper will have to work on his fitness at Germany's two-week training camp in northern Italy from May 23 to June 8 if he is to have any chance of playing at Russia 2018.

Neuer only recently returned to Bayern training.

"I want to improve daily and try to get fit as quickly as possible, so far the steps have been very good and positive," he said,

"I'm trying to continue and then we'll see if it's enough."

Neuer is the main concern for Loew, who is also waiting on the fitness of Germany centre-back Jerome Boateng, who has a groin injury, and attacking midfielder Mesut Ozil, who is sidelined by a back complaint.

Boateng said he is on course to be fit for the World Cup finals after being injured in Bayern's Champions League semi-final, first-leg, defeat against Real Madrid.

"The national coach knows that my goal of travelling with the team (to Russia) is absolutely realistic," said Boateng.

Manuel Neuer has been sidelined by a fractured foot since September and is running out of time to be fit for Germany's opening World Cup match against Mexico

Manuel Neuer has poured serious doubt on his World Cup chances while his Bayern Munich coach on Wednesday says Germany's goalkeeper will not play again for the club this season. "I do not think it's imaginable that I go into such a tournament without match practice," Neuer said at an event on Tuesday night on his Russia 2018 chances. Neuer, 32, has been sidelined by a fractured foot since September and is running out of time to be fit for Germany's opening World Cup match against Mexico in Moscow on June 17. Heynckes said there was no chance Neuer would play in Bayern's last two games this season -- the final Bundesliga game at home to Stuttgart on Saturday and the German Cup final on May 19 against Eintracht Frankfurt in Berlin. "Manuel won't play against Stuttgart -- and also not in the German Cup final," Heynckes told Kicker magazine. That means Neuer can only get the necessary match practice in two games before the World Cup -- Germany's friendlies away to Austria in Klagenfurt on June 2 and at home against Saudi Arabia in Leverkusen on June 8. "There are still a few games," Neuer said, but added that he cannot give a date for his return. "There is no prognosis, I have to make the right decision for me, the team and Germany. "It does not help to get distracted." Coach Joachim Loew is still expected to include Neuer in his provisional World Cup squad, which will be named next Tuesday and then trimmed down for the final 23-man list. The goalkeeper will have to work on his fitness at Germany's two-week training camp in northern Italy from May 23 to June 8 if he is to have any chance of playing at Russia 2018. Neuer only recently returned to Bayern training. "I want to improve daily and try to get fit as quickly as possible, so far the steps have been very good and positive," he said, "I'm trying to continue and then we'll see if it's enough." Neuer is the main concern for Loew, who is also waiting on the fitness of Germany centre-back Jerome Boateng, who has a groin injury, and attacking midfielder Mesut Ozil, who is sidelined by a back complaint. Boateng said he is on course to be fit for the World Cup finals after being injured in Bayern's Champions League semi-final, first-leg, defeat against Real Madrid. "The national coach knows that my goal of travelling with the team (to Russia) is absolutely realistic," said Boateng.

Manuel Neuer ruled out of German Cup final, doubts over FIFA 2018

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Bayer Leverkusen bags maiden league-cup double with victory in German Cup Final

#BlackLivesMatter: Corner flags, jerseys share out anti-racism message as Bayern advance to German Cup final

Manuel Neuer ruled out of German Cup final, doubts over FIFA 2018