FC Bayern Munich vs. VfB Stuttgart DFB-Pokal Final preview: Team news and predicted lineups
| Christian Kaspar-Bartke/Getty Images |
FC Bayern Munich will face VfB Stuttgart at the Olympiastadion in Saturday’s DFB-Pokal final. The Rekordmeister are hoping for a first domestic cup triumph since 2020 against the current holders.
FC Bayern
The Bavarians were German champions in 13 of the last 14 Bundesliga seasons, but their best Pokal result in the past five years was reaching quarter-finals in 2023. They had a tough run of fixtures this term, although Vincent Kompany’s men have dealt with recent winners RB Leipzig and Bayer Leverkusen with 2-0 victories in the last two rounds.
Despite their record-breaking Bundesliga season, Bayern once again fell short of expectations in the Champions League. Although there would be no more party at Marienplatz because of players having to immediately leave for the World Cup, they will seek to end the barren spell.
Team News
Manuel Neuer's availability is still uncertain. Jonas Urbig could replace him if there are doubts over the 40-year-old goalkeeper. Alphonso Davies and Serge Gnabry are unavailable due to injuries.
Bayern are expected to repeat the lineup from the return leg of the PSG tie. Raphael Guerreiro, Leon Goretzka and Nicolas Jackson are hoping to at least come off the bench for one last time in Bayern colours.
VfB Stuttgart
After winning their first Pokal in nearly three decades, Stuttgart have now reached the final in back-to-back seasons for the first time in the club's history. Sebastian Hoeneß’s successful stint and attractive playing style made him one of the sought-after coaches in European football.
The holders played their first four games away from home this term before an extra-time victory against Freiburg at MHP Arena in the semi-final. The 44-year-old coach is now one game away from becoming the first non-Bayern coach to win the competition in back-to-back seasons since Huub Stevens at the start of the millennium.
Team News
There are no injuries in Stuttgart's squad for the final. Maximilian Mittelstädt and Chris Führich will hope to end the season on positive notes after missing out from Germany's World Cup squad.
Meanwhile, Alexander Nübel will probably play his last game for VfB against his current parent club before Stuttgart entrusted Dennis Seimen, who will be back from his own loan at promotion chasers Paderborn. The goalkeeper is joined by fellow teammates Angelo Stiller and Deniz Undav in Julian Nagelsmann's selection.
Head-to-Head
Bayern have won the last five head-to-head fixtures against Stuttgart, including three times since this season's curtain-raiser, Franz Beckenbauer Supercup. Stuttgart have lost both of their previous finals against Bayern (1986 and 2013).
Predicted Lineups
Bayern: Urbig; Stanisic, Upamecano, Tah, Laimer; Kimmich ©, Pavlovic; Olise, Musiala, Luis Diaz; Kane
Stuttgart: Nübel; Hendriks, Chabot, Mittelstädt; Leweling, Karazor ©, Stiller, Führich; El Khannouss; Demirović, Undav
