Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen meet in the DFB-Pokal quarterfinals, and this one has all the ingredients of a classic. Two giants of German football, two modern coaching prodigies, and one ultimate prize—the Pokal! Get ready for fireworks at the Allianz Arena.
How We Got Here
Bayern Munich’s road to the quarterfinals has been nothing short of dominant. They’ve bulldozed their way past Ulm and Mainz with back-to-back 4-0 wins, looking like a team on a mission. However, their recent Bundesliga form hit a minor snag with a frustrating 1-1 draw in Der Klassiker against Borussia Dortmund.
Leverkusen, meanwhile, are thriving under Xabi Alonso’s stewardship. Sitting third in the Bundesliga and unbeaten in eight DFB-Pokal matches, they’re a team full of belief. They’ve had a smooth Pokal journey too, cruising past Carl Zeiss Jena and Elversberg without conceding. And here’s the kicker—Leverkusen haven’t lost to Bayern in their last four meetings.
The Managers: Alonso vs. Kompany
On the other side, Vincent Kompany steps into the spotlight with the pressure to deliver. “Leverkusen are aggressive, compact, and versatile,” Kompany noted. “We have to play to our strengths and focus on ourselves.” Both managers are former world-class players, now showing their tactical chops on the sidelines.
This clash isn’t just about the players—it’s also a tactical battle between two of football’s brightest young minds.
Key Insights and Numbers
📊Bayern Munich’s last four DFB-Pokal games have seen over 2.5 goals scored.
📊Leverkusen have won their last eight DFB-Pokal matches, keeping clean sheets in the last four.
📊Bayern have failed to beat Leverkusen in their last four encounters across all competitions.
📊Leverkusen have scored in each of their last eight DFB-Pokal games
📊 Bayern are averaging four goals per game in the Bundesliga this season.
Team News: Who’s In, Who’s Out
Bayern Munich🚑: The Bavarians will be without Harry Kane, who picked up a hamstring injury in Der Klassiker. This leaves Thomas Müller or Mathys Tel as options to lead the line. Joao Palhinha, Hiroki Ito, Josip Stanisic, and Sven Ulreich are also unavailable, while Aleksandar Pavlovic has returned to training but may not be ready to start.
Bayer Leverkusen🚑: Leverkusen are missing key players too, including Victor Boniface, Jonas Hofmann, Amine Adli, Jeanuel Belocian, and Martin Terrier. Patrick Schick will lead the line, supported by Florian Wirtz, while teenage sensation Artem Stepanov could make an impact off the bench.
Predictions
Bayern Munich win @ 1.74 on MSport
Both teams come into this clash in excellent form, but injuries could play a decisive role. Bayern will rely on their home advantage and experience in high-stakes matches, while Leverkusen will look to exploit their high-pressing, aggressive style to unsettle the Bavarians.
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