Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig will face off in what should be a heated DFB-Pokal quarter-final clash on Wednesday night.
The Allianz Arena sets the stage for a heavyweight DFB-Pokal quarter-final on Wednesday night, as Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig collide with silverware firmly in sight. For Bayern, this competition has become an uncomfortable blind spot; for Leipzig, it represents familiar and fertile ground.
Despite their near-monopoly over the Bundesliga in the past decade, Bayern’s relationship with the German Cup has been surprisingly strained. The Bavarians last lifted the Pokal in 2020, and since that pandemic-era triumph, they have not even managed to reach a final. A six-year drought by Bayern’s standards borders on the unthinkable, and under Vincent Kompany, there is a clear sense that correcting that anomaly has become a priority rather than a side quest.
Encouragingly for the hosts, they arrive with renewed momentum. Bayern’s emphatic 5-1 dismantling of Hoffenheim at the weekend ended a brief domestic wobble and reasserted their attacking authority. That result carried extra symbolism, given that their previous Bundesliga win before that was another 5-1 demolition, this time away at RB Leipzig. In fact, Kompany’s Bayern have scored five or more goals in three of the last four meetings with Leipzig, underlining a psychological edge that has grown with each encounter.
Leipzig, meanwhile, travel to Munich with recent history firmly against them. Die Roten Bullen are winless in their last six meetings with Bayern, and the memory of a 6-0 thrashing at the Allianz Arena earlier this season remains uncomfortably fresh. That context makes Wednesday’s task daunting, even for a club that has made the DFB Pokal something of a specialty in recent years.
Indeed, RB Leipzig’s recent cup pedigree stands in stark contrast to Bayern Munich’s struggles. They are chasing what would be a third DFB-Pokal triumph in five seasons and a sixth semi-final appearance in the last eight campaigns, a remarkable return that reflects their knack for navigating knockout football. Free from European commitments this season, Leipzig have been able to devote full attention to domestic competitions, though that advantage has not fully translated into league consistency.
Ole Werner’s side have endured a dip in Bundesliga form, winning just three of their last eight matches and slipping well off the title pace. They now sit 15 points behind Bayern and even trail second-placed Borussia Dortmund by nine. Still, a hard-fought 2-1 win over Koln at the weekend steadied the ship and nudged Leipzig back into the top four, offering a timely confidence boost ahead of this quarter-final.
One area where Leipzig can draw belief is their away record. They have suffered only three defeats on the road in all competitions this season, showing an ability to remain competitive in hostile environments. However, that statistic comes with a glaring caveat: one of those defeats was a brutal six-goal loss to Bayern, a reminder of how unforgiving this fixture can be when control is lost.
Ultimately, this tie pits Bayern’s hunger to end an embarrassing drought against Leipzig’s proven cup nous. Experience, home advantage, and attacking firepower favour the hosts, but the away side’s familiarity with Pokal pressure ensures this will not be a routine night in Munich. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how the clubs could line up on the night and what tactics they might employ.
Team News & Tactics
Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich head into Wednesday night’s DFB-Pokal quarter-final in excellent condition from a selection standpoint. Vincent Kompany has a fully-fit squad available and no suspension issues to manage, a rare luxury at this stage of the season. The hosts are expected to field close to their strongest XI as they chase an end to their prolonged cup drought.
Harry Kane is set to lead the line once again, with the England captain boasting an outstanding record against Leipzig, having scored seven goals in six appearances against Die Roten Bullen. Luis Diaz is also primed to start after a sensational hat-trick against Hoffenheim last weekend, while Bayern’s defensive and midfield units remain settled and injury-free.
From a tactical perspective, Bayern are expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, offering balance between control in midfield and attacking fluidity in advanced areas. Manuel Neuer should start in goal, providing leadership and distribution from the back. The defensive line is likely to feature Konrad Laimer at right-back, Dayot Upamecano partnering Jonathan Tah in central defence, and Alphonso Davies operating at left-back with license to surge forward and stretch Leipzig’s defensive shape.
In midfield, Joshua Kimmich is expected to sit alongside Aleksandar Pavlovic in the double pivot. Kimmich will dictate tempo and progression, while Pavlovic offers energy, ball recovery, and positional discipline. Ahead of them, Bayern’s attacking trio should see Michael Olise starting from the right flank, Serge Gnabry operating centrally as the attacking midfielder, and Luis Diaz on the left, where his direct running and goal threat can isolate Leipzig’s full-backs.
Leading the line, Harry Kane is expected to start as the lone striker, tasked with linking play, finishing chances, and drawing defenders to create space for runners from midfield. Bayern will be keen to control possession, press aggressively after turnovers, and overwhelm Leipzig with sustained attacking pressure as they look to book their place in the DFB-Pokal semi-finals.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Neuer; Laimer, Upamecano, Tah, Davies; Kimmich, Pavlovic; Olise, Gnabry, Luis Diaz; Kane
RB Leipzig
RB Leipzig travel to the Allianz Arena with notable selection issues, making this DFB-Pokal quarter-final an added test of depth and adaptability. Defender Castello Lukeba remains sidelined after missing the last four matches due to a knee injury, depriving Leipzig of a key presence in central defence.
Highly rated teenager Assan Ouedraogo is also unavailable, having been out since last month’s win over Freiburg with a knee problem of his own. In addition, Sani Suleiman and Viggo Gebel will not feature, further limiting Ole Werner’s options. There are no suspension concerns, but the injury list forces Leipzig into a slightly patched-up lineup against elite opposition.
Given those absences, Leipzig are expected to adopt a 4-1-2-3 formation, aiming to retain compactness through midfield while maintaining attacking width. Maarten Vandevoordt should start in goal. The back four is likely to include Ridle Baku at right-back, Willi Orban partnering El Chadaille Bitshiabu in central defence, and David Raum operating from left-back, where his delivery and forward runs can provide an outlet.
At the base of midfield, Nicolas Seiwald is expected to sit as the holding midfielder, tasked with shielding the defence and disrupting Bayern’s rhythm. Ahead of him, Xaver Schlager and Christoph Baumgartner should form a dynamic central pairing, combining pressing intensity with late runs into the final third.
In attack, Leipzig are likely to deploy Yan Diomande from the right, Romulo through the middle as the central forward, and Antonio Nusa on the left. This front three will be asked to stretch Bayern’s back line and exploit transitions quickly, as sustained possession is likely to be limited.
Overall, Leipzig’s setup will defend in numbers, remain compact through the centre, and rely on pace and directness on the break. Against a fully fit Bayern side in Munich, execution will need to be close to flawless if Die Roten Bullen are to keep their Pokal ambitions alive.
Probable Lineup (4-1-2-3): Vandevoordt; Ridle Baku, Orban, Bitshiabu, Raum; Seiwald; Schlager, Baumgartner; Diomande, Romulo, Nusa
Key Stats
- Bayern Munich have not won the DFB-Pokal since 2020, failing to reach even a single final in the last six seasons despite their domestic dominance.
- RB Leipzig have won two of the last four DFB-Pokal titles and are aiming for a third cup triumph in five years, underlining their strong recent record in knockout football.
- Bayern have scored five or more goals in three of their last four meetings with Leipzig, including a 5-1 league win and a 6–0 home victory earlier this season.
- RB Leipzig are winless in their last six matches against Bayern in all competitions.
- Harry Kane has scored seven goals in six appearances against RB Leipzig.
Player to Watch
Luis Diaz
The former Liverpool star enters this DFB-Pokal quarter-final in devastating form and looks primed to be a central figure in Bayern Munich’s push to end their long cup drought. Fresh from a stunning hat-trick against Hoffenheim at the weekend, the Colombian winger carries momentum, confidence, and a sharp edge that makes him a nightmare for opposition defences.
Operating from the left flank, Diaz brings directness and unpredictability in equal measure. His ability to isolate full-backs, attack at speed, and cut inside onto his stronger foot gives Bayern a constant outlet, particularly against a Leipzig defence already stretched by injuries. He is also increasingly decisive in front of goal, no longer just a creator but a genuine finisher who thrives in high-stakes matches.
Against Leipzig’s likely compact setup, Diaz’s 1v1 ability could prove crucial in breaking open the game. If Bayern are to overwhelm the visitors and assert control early at the Allianz Arena, expect much of their attacking thrust to funnel through Diaz, whose pace and confidence make him one of the most dangerous wide players in German football right now.
Prediction
Bayern Munich 3-1 RB Leipzig
RB Leipzig have the cup pedigree to make this uncomfortable, but the context strongly favours Bayern Munich. Vincent Kompany’s side arrive with momentum, a fully-fit squad, and a psychological edge built on recent emphatic wins over Leipzig. At the Allianz Arena, the away side’s intensity and attacking depth are difficult to withstand particularly in knockout football.
Leipzig’s injuries at the back and their recent struggles against Bayern leave them vulnerable, and while they may threaten in transition, sustaining resistance for 90 minutes looks unlikely.