Wehen Wiesbaden will have their work cut out when they take on Bayern Munich in the DFB Pokal on Wednesday.
The DFB-Pokal often provides memorable David vs Goliath encounters, and Tuesday’s clash at the BRITA-Arena promises exactly that, as third-tier Wehen Wiesbaden welcome reigning Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich. For Wehen, it represents a rare chance to test themselves against the very best German football has to offer. For Bayern, it is the start of another pursuit of silverware and an opportunity to maintain their flying start under Vincent Kompany.
Wehen Wiesbaden’s season has been nothing short of a rollercoaster. It began positively with a 3-1 victory over SSV Ulm, raising hopes of a strong campaign. But since then, consistency has eluded them. A 2-0 lead against Verl quickly evaporated as they settled for a 2-2 draw, before last weekend’s dramatic 4-3 defeat to Rot-Weiss Essen, sealed by a stoppage-time goal, once again exposed defensive frailties.
While their attacking play has produced goals, their inability to manage leads and maintain concentration has cost them valuable points early on. Facing Bayern Munich, however, is an entirely different challenge. With little expectation of an upset, Nils Doring’s men will approach this fixture as a chance to test their resilience and showcase their qualities against elite opposition in front of a passionate home crowd.
For Bayern Munich, the objective is simple: end their five-year wait for DFB-Pokal glory. The Bavarians remain the competition’s most successful club with 20 titles, but their failure to lift the trophy since 2020 has been a source of frustration. New head coach Vincent Kompany has wasted no time in setting high standards, guiding his team to a 2-1 Super Cup triumph over Stuttgart before dismantling RB Leipzig 6-0 in their Bundesliga opener.
The sheer gulf in quality between the two squads makes Bayern overwhelming favourites, even if Kompany rotates his lineup to manage minutes. With attacking depth featuring the likes of Harry Kane, Jamal Musiala, Serge Gnabry, and Leroy Sane, Bayern possess more than enough firepower to overwhelm their third-tier opponents. Anything less than a comfortable progression to the second round would be seen as a major disappointment. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how both sides could line up and what tactics they might employ on the day.
Team News & Tactics
Wehen Wiesbaden
Head coach Nils Doring has overseen a positive summer of recruitment, with several new signings already making an impact in the early stages of the season. Jordy Gillekens, one of those fresh arrivals, was on the scoresheet in last weekend’s 4-3 defeat to Rot-Weiss Essen, and he is expected to retain his place in the backline. Fellow newcomers Lukas Schleimer, Niklas May, and Milad Nejad have all featured prominently and are likely to be involved again when Bayern Munich visit.
At present, Wehen Wiesbaden do not have any major injury or suspension concerns reported in the build-up to the game, allowing Döring to select from a near full-strength squad. That stability could prove valuable as they prepare to face the most formidable opposition they are likely to encounter all season.
Tactically, Doring is expected to line his side up in a 4-4-2 formation. Florian Stritzel will take his place in goal, shielded by a defensive line of Niklas May at left-back, Justin Janitzek, and Jordy Gillekens in the centre, and Ole Wohlers at right-back. In midfield, Ryan Johansson should operate from the right wing, with Milad Nejad and Tarik Gozusirin forming the central pairing, while Lukas Schleimer will provide energy and width from the left flank.
Up front, Fatih Kaya and Moritz Flotho are likely to lead the line, tasked with pressing Bayern Munich’s backline and making the most of any rare opportunities that come their way.
Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Stritzel; May, Janitzek, Gillekens, Wohlers; Johansson, Nejad, Gozusirin, Schleimer; Kaya, Flotho
Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich approach their DFB-Pokal opener with a somewhat stretched squad. The Bavarians currently have only 22 fully fit first-team players available, which limits Vincent Kompany’s ability to rotate heavily for a game against third-tier opposition. The absence of several key figures adds further challenges. Jamal Musiala is sidelined with a serious long-term injury, depriving Bayern of their creative heartbeat in midfield.
Alphonso Davies is also unavailable as he continues his recovery from a significant injury setback, while young midfielder Tom Bischof has recently joined the treatment table following an emergency appendectomy. These absences reduce the depth available for Kompany but still leave Bayern Munich with enough firepower to field a strong lineup.
Despite the lack of options, Bayern Munich are expected to maintain their familiar 4-2-3-1 system. Sven Ulreich is likely to start in goal, offering cover for Manuel Neuer in early-round cup fixtures. The back four should feature Raphael Guerreiro at left-back, with Kim Min-jae and Dayot Upamecano forming the central defensive pairing, while Sacha Boey is expected to start on the right side. In midfield, Joshua Kimmich will bring leadership and control alongside Aleksandar Pavlovic, who provides energy and balance.
In attack, Luis Diaz should operate on the left wing, with Michael Olise offering creativity and directness from the right. Teenage prospect Lennart Karl could be handed a rare start in the central attacking midfield role behind Harry Kane, who will once again lead the line as Bayern’s focal point. Kane’s presence ensures the Bavarians carry immense attacking threat even if they rotate slightly for the occasion.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Ulreich; Guerreiro, Min-jae, Upamecano, Boey; Kimmich, Pavlović; Díaz, Olise, Karl; Kane
Key Stats
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Bayern Munich are the most successful club in DFB-Pokal history, winning the competition 20 times. However, they have not lifted the trophy since the 2019/20 season, marking a five-year drought they are eager to end under Vincent Kompany.
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Despite their dominance in German football, Bayern Munich have been eliminated before the quarter-final stage in three of the last four DFB-Pokal campaigns, including shock defeats to Holstein Kiel (2021) and Saarbrucken (2023).
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Wehen Wiesbaden have only faced Bayern Munich once before in the DFB-Pokal, back in 2008, when they were beaten 4-1. They have never advanced beyond the round of 16 in their history.
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Bayern Munich began the 2025/26 season in blistering fashion, scoring eight goals in their first two competitive matches, including a 6-0 demolition of RB Leipzig in their Bundesliga opener.
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Wehen Wiesbaden have conceded nine goals in their first three 3. Liga fixtures this season, highlighting defensive vulnerabilities that will be severely tested against the Bundesliga champions.
Player to Watch
Lennart Karl
Amid Bayern Munich’s depth concerns, young attacking midfielder Lennart Karl could be handed a golden opportunity to make his mark in the DFB-Pokal clash against Wehen Wiesbaden. With Jamal Musiala sidelined through injury and Vincent Kompany expected to shuffle his pack, the teenager may find himself entrusted with the central playmaking role behind Harry Kane.
Karl is highly regarded within Bayern’s academy setup for his vision, technical ability, and calmness in possession. He has impressed in youth and reserve fixtures with his ability to link midfield and attack, and this fixture represents a chance for him to test those qualities on the senior stage.
Against lower-tier opposition, Karl will be expected to play with confidence, dictate attacking moves, and create opportunities for Bayern’s frontline. If he can rise to the occasion, this match could prove a breakthrough moment in his development and highlight Bayern’s tradition of blooding young talent in competitive fixtures.
Prediction
Wehen Wiesbaden 0-5 Bayern Munich
Wehen Wiesbaden’s spirit and attacking energy may allow them to enjoy moments against Bayern, but their defensive vulnerabilities will almost certainly be exploited by Vincent Kompany’s side. With Bayern eager to continue their strong start and determined to reclaim the DFB Pokal after years of near misses, this contest is expected to be one-sided.
