Scoring the decisive goal on the big stage is nothing new for Thomas Müller, but his match-winning performance against Dortmund was about much more than just a place in the German Cup quarter finals.
Image: Reuters/M. Rehle
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Thomas Müller has enjoyed several roles during his incredible career with the German record titleholders. From being hailed as the next big thing out of Bayern's academy under Louis van Gaal to emerging as the title-winning ‘space invader' thanks to the tutelage of Jupp Heynckes and Pep Guardiola, Müller has always had a role to play.
After seeing his influence on Bayern's fortunes wane with Carlo Ancelotti at the helm though, questions were asked of how the 28-year-old would respond to facing adversity for the first time in his career and which role he would fill moving forward.
His performances since Heynckes' return, capped off by Wednesday night's match-winning outing against Dortmund, have served as a resounding response to any doubters. Müller has been involved in 12 goals in the 13 games with Jupp back in charge. Put simply: he's back to his old self.
Bayern ran rampant over Dortmund in the first half of their German Cup round of 16 tie and Müller's movement on and off the ball played to all of his strengths as the hosts toyed with opposition before the break.
The Weilheim native's goal was the epitome of everything that made football fans around the world fall in love with Bayern's slightly awkward, joker in the pack - a slick combination, a darting run into space, a neat first touch and a cheeky chipped finish.
The Bundesliga table-toppers arguably should have led by more at the break, but for Müller that 45 minutes alone seemed to banish memories of his dip in form during the Carlo Ancelotti era. What further proof could he provide that he is well and truly back to old form?
Next year could be a decisive one in Müller's career. Bayern are still competing on three fronts, while Germany have their sights set on retaining their World Cup title in Russia this summer.
He was no stranger to positive experiences, but having come through the hardest period of his career to date, Müller looks to be better for the experience. His role for club and country will no longer be in question if he can maintain this momentum after the winter break. Thomas Müller is and will always be a match-winner.
German Cup: Last 16 results
Bayern Munich knocked out holders Borussia Dortmund, with Bayer Leverkusen also going through courtesy of another Leon Bailey goal. There were also wins for Werder Bremen and Frankfurt in the last 16 of the German Cup.
Image: imago/J. Huebner
Mönchengladbach 0-1 Bayer Leverkusen
Another strike by Leon Bailey proved the difference for Bayer Leverkusen, who march into the last eight and will fancy themselves to go all the way this year. Bailey has been Leverkusen's key man in recent weeks and this ice cold finish in the 71st minute settled a close game at Borussia-Park.
Image: imago/J. Huebner
Bayern Munich 2-1 Borussia Dortmund
Thomas Müller's exquisite finish gave Bayern a commanding two-goal lead after Jerome Boateng's header had put the hosts ahead. Dortmund hit back through a Andriy Yarmolenko header in the 77th minute, but it was too little too late as Bayern held on for a win that sent the holders packing.
Image: Reuters/M. Rehle
Werder Bremen 3-2 Freiburg
Freiburg protest the awarding of Bremen's third goal, which should have been disallowed after an offside and a foul in the build-up. That strike by Philipp Bargfrede proved the winner after earlier goals by Ishak Belfodil and Florian Kainz had seen the hosts race into a two-goal lead inside 20 minutes, before Freiburg's Nils Petersen and Yoric Ravet pegged them back.
Image: Reuters/M. Mac Matzen
Heidenheim 1-2 Eintracht Frankfurt
After a goalless 90 minutes, this game exploded into life in extra time. Frankfurt took the lead through Mijat Gacinovic in the 95th minute, but Heidenheim weren't going down without a fight and levelled the contest a minute later through Marc Schnatterer, but the winning goal came courtesy of Frenchman Sébastien Haller, who slotted home from close range.
Image: Getty Images/Bongarts/A. Scheuber
Schalke 1-0 Cologne
Schalke's excellent season continues. Not only do they end 2017 second in the Bundesliga, but are into the quarter finals of the German Cup. They were made to work for their victory over Cologne, but it eventually came courtesy of Max Meyer's 64th minute header, which looped over the helpless Timo Horn in the Cologne goal. Schalke are aiming to win the competiton for the first time since 2011.
Image: Reuters/W. Rattay
Paderborn 1-0 Ingolstadt
Ben Zolinski was the hero for Paderborn as the third tier club saw off Ingolstadt to reach the quarter finals of the German Cup. Zolinski's 56th minute strike into the roof of the net settled the tie to ensure that the club who almost sunk into Germany's Regionalliga at the end of last season continue their magical run to the last eight.
Image: Getty Images/Bongarts/S. Franklin
Nürnberg 0-2 Wolfsburg (AET)
Felix Uduokhai scores the first of Wolfsburg's two extra time goals which sent Martin Schmidt's side into the last eight. Mario Gomez and substitute Divock Origi had each hit the post in normal time, but Nürnberg's resistence was finally broken in the 97th minute. Daniel Didavi added a second late on as Wolfsburg look to win the crown they won in 2015.
Image: Getty Images/Bongarts/S. Widmann
Mainz 3-1 Stuttgart
Mainz scored three second half goals to come from behind to beat Stuttgart. Christian Gentner had put Stuttgart's noses in front shortly before the break, but Mainz came out strongly in the second half. Emil Berggreen drew the hosts level before a key strike from Abdou Diallo put Mainz in front. Suat Serdar made it three in stoppage time to put the icing on the cake.
