Union Berlin and Bayern Munich clash in the DFB-Pokal Round of 16 on Wednesday at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei, marking the second meeting of the season after a dramatic 2-2 Bundesliga draw where Union ended Bayern’s 16-match winning streak, as reported by SoftFootball.
Bayern, aiming to reclaim the DFB-Pokal after exiting in the last 16 in 2022–23, enter as favourites, but Union will take confidence from their home advantage and resilient performances.
Bayern head coach Vincent Kompany, recently linked with a return to Manchester City, stressed in the press conference shared on the club’s official X account that his focus remains fully on Bayern ahead of the cup tie.
Check the post below:
The former Belgium international, who retired in 2020 and led Bayern to the Bundesliga title in 2024–25, also reflected on recent challenges. After a 3-1 Champions League loss to Arsenal, Bayern bounced back with a 3-1 win over St Pauli, as reported by SoftFootball.
Kompany admitted in a post shared by the club on their official X account that the team is working on defensive consistency while embracing the positive pressure of competing for trophies.
Bayern Munich posted:
𝗞𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝘂𝗽
That’s good pressure. At the end of the season, we’d like to have this pressure again, even more. We want to put in a good performance and win – we’re prepared for anything, for 90 minutes or another 30. It’s positive pressure.
Team News
Union will be without Robert Skov, Andrik Markgraf, and Dmytro Bogdanov due to injuries, though Christopher Trimmel returns from suspension. Manager Steffen Baumgart has most of his squad available and aims to frustrate Bayern at the Alte Försterei, where three of the last four meetings ended in draws.
Alphonso Davies is still recovering, with Musiala expected to return to the squad after Vincent Kompany confirmed that everyone else is fit in a post shared by the club on their official X account.
Fabrizio Romano posted:
𝗩𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗞𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝘀𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗱 𝘂𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲
Alphonso Davies won’t make this game. Everyone else is fit, the squad is looking good. But it’s winter, sometimes someone catches a cold – but no major issues.
Dayot Upamecano is expected back after missing the St Pauli game. Manuel Neuer is fit, and Kompany may rotate, with 17-year-old Lennart Karl in contention following his goal contributions against Arsenal.
Possible Lineups
Union Berlin (3-4-2-1): Ronnow; Leite, Querfeld, Doekhi; Kohn, Kemlein, Khedira, Trimmel; Ansah, Jeong; Burke.
Bayern Munich (4-2-3-1): Urbig; Bischof, Tah, Kim, Laimer; Pavlovic, Kimmich; Diaz, Karl, Guerreiro; Kane.
SoftFootball Prediction
Despite Union’s resilience and home advantage, SoftFootball predicts Bayern Munich to edge the contest. Their superior squad depth, attacking firepower, and historic cup pedigree make them favourites to progress.
Prediction: Union Berlin 1-3 Bayern Munich.
