Bayern Munich vs. Darmstadt: Score, Reaction from 2015 DFB Pokal Match

Bayern Munich beat a spirited Darmstadt 1-0 in the DFB Pokal as they saw out their last game at the Allianz Arena in 2015.

Xabi Alonso's first-half stunner opened the scoring and ultimately proved decisive as Bayern were unable to kill off their opponents.

Darmstadt played well throughout, defending ably and, after conceding, offering a threat on the counter-attack.

The hosts, who named a strong side despite their injury problems, attacked from the outset, and Kingsley Coman flashed a shot across the face of goal in the fourth minute.

The winger was again involved soon after when he raced on to Alonso's pass and volleyed wide, while Robert Lewandowski failed to connect properly with a teasing cross from Philipp Lahm.

Lewandowski came close after winning possession on the edge of the area before Darmstadt wasted their first opportunity to get forward when they failed to beat the first man with a free-kick on the right.

Alonso was typically pulling the strings in midfield, per football writer Dave O'Connell:

Darmstadt defended well to limit Bayern's clear-cut opportunities, but the hosts were soon ahead and in some considerable style.

It was the Spaniard who broke the deadlock when he controlled Sandro Wagner's headed clearance and from all of 30 yards out sent an exquisite volley flying straight into the top corner, per BT Sport Football:

Bleacher Report's own Michael Cummings gave his reaction:

It was almost 2-0 by half-time when Lewandowski crashed a header on to the post, and Muller came similarly close shortly after the break when he narrowly missed with a spectacular effort of his own, per FC Bayern:

Needing an equaliser, Darmstadt counter-attacked with more regularity though they were unable to cause the hosts any serious problems, their pressure on Bayern eased by an offside flag.

As Bundesliga expert Clark Whitney noted, the spirited visitors did not resort to questionable tactics or challenges:

Mario Vrancic curled a free-kick just over as Darmstadt continued to plug away while chances for Bayern were relatively few and far between, though Muller forced a save from Christian Mathenia with a deflected effort and the 'keeper was called into action again in the later stages to deny Coman a spectacular overhead kick.

With their progression to the next round of the cup now secured, Bayern have just one game left in the calendar year—a trip to Hannover 96 on Saturday.

Hannover are a lowly 16th in the Bundesliga, so expect Pep Guardiola's side to round out 2015 with a comfortable win and a strong performance to boot ahead of the winter break.

Post-Match Reaction

Guardiola was in a jovial mood after the match, per FC Bayern:

Speculation continues to surround the Spaniard's future, and he is expected to announce his decision to either stay with or depart the Bundesliga giants beyond next summer before Christmas, per Simon Bajkowski of the Manchester Evening News.