Thiago, Süle, Leverkusen – Hansi Flick's statements ahead of the DFB Cup final

Hansi Flick will contest his first DFB Cup final as a head coach on Saturday when Bayern face Bayer Leverkusen at the Olympiastadion in Berlin at 8pm CEST. In the build-up, he answered questions from journalists in a virtual press conference. fcbayern.com has some of the 55-year-old’s most important statements on the opposition, what the final means for him and which players are fit.

Fitness update

“Apart from Javi Martinez and Corentin Tolisso, everyone’s onboard. It’s looking very good for Niklas Süle. It’s crucial for him to be involved again. He’ll take part in today’s final training session, and then we’ll decide whether he’s in the matchday squad. But he’s made a very good impression. Thiago’s operation wasn’t that long ago, but all our plans have worked out. He’s handled the full workload since Wednesday, so can play from the start on Saturday. He’s 100 per cent fit.”

The team’s form

“I was happy with the team’s performance in training this week. The way they’ve gone about it, the quality and intensity really pleased me. Those are good prerequisites and gives us a certain security, but we’re playing against a team who can hurt us with their strengths. We have to be focussed going into the game.”

Opponents Leverkusen

“We know they have enormous speed in their team. We’ve adapted for that. It worked well a few weeks ago in Leverkusen, so we’re positive it’ll work again tomorrow.”

His first final as a head coach

“It’s a final and that’s something special. It definitely won’t be the same as in the league, so I’ll opt for a different speech.”