The Bayern party for Saturday evening’s DFB Cup final against newly-crowned Bundesliga champions Borussia Dortmund has safely arrived in Berlin after leaving the Bavarian capital late on Friday morning. Lufthansa charter flight LH2570 took off from Munich a few minutes behind schedule at 11am, before arriving in the German capital just over an hour later.
The FCB party comprised 58 persons, led by chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and including the members’ club executive committee under president Uli Hoeneß, head coach Jupp Heynckes and his staff, the medical unit including the physiotherapists, and the playing staff led by club captains Philipp Lahm and Bastian Schweinsteiger. The only players not on board were injured centre backs Breno and Daniel van Buyten, although the pair will travel to Berlin on Saturday.
“I sense a positive nervousness," commented former Bayern captain Paul Breitner prior to takeoff, making no secret of how much he is looking forward to the final in front of a capacity crowd at the Olympic Stadium. “At last we have a final that makes sense, because it's between the two best teams in Germany," Breitner stated.
On arrival in Berlin, Heynckes and Lahm travelled straight to the stadium, where the official pre-match press conference was scheduled for half-past midday. It was also an occasion to greet opponents Borussia, represented at the press conference by coach Juergen Klopp and captain Sebastian Kehl. The rest of the Bayern players transferred to the team hotel in the city centre for lunch, followed by individual treatment and rest.
In the evening, the players visit the Olympic Stadium for a final pre-match workout, with BVB due on the pitch at 5 pm and Bayern at 6.30 pm. A little over 24 hours later, the teams that finished first and second in the Bundesliga join battle in the 69th DFB Cup final.
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