How Bayern can beat RB Leipzig to reach semi-finals

Bayern and RB Leipzig meet for the third time this season in Wednesday’s DFB Cup quarter-final at the Allianz Arena. For Bayern, they’re looking to reach the final four for the first time in six years, having already claimed big wins in both Bundesliga meetings with Die Roten Bullen in 2025/26. But the first half of the league meeting three weeks ago at the Red Bull Arena showed that Leipzig do pose a threat. fcbayern.com takes a closer look at Wednesday’s cup opponents and lessons from the league encounters.

A first-half warning

Very few people who watched the first half of January’s Bundesliga game in Leipzig will have expected the game to end in a 5-1 Bayern win. The hosts were the dominant side in the opening period and deservedly went 1-0 up. “They caused us real problems in the first half. They were clearly better,” admitted coach Vincent Kompany. The fact they scored just one goal through Romulo was perhaps flattering from a Munich perspective. Leipzig’s xG of 2.03 was the highest Bayern had ever faced in the first half of a game under Kompany. “They were good out wide. They made the difference,” the Belgian explained.

Attacking wide play

In Leipzig’s usual 4-3-3 system, it’s their full-backs of captain David Raum on the left and either Ridle Baku or the fit again Benjamin Henrichs on the right who provide width, attacking impetus and deliveries into the box. Nominal wingers Antonio Nusa and Yan Diomande are also both dangerous with the ball at their feet and offer unpredictability with their pace in the final third. Striker Romulo is a classic number nine, good in the air and robust in central areas.

Looking back on that first half in Leipzig, Kompany added that the hosts also won lots of balls in midfield, highlighting another important aspect of their play. Nicolas Seiwald is the defensive-minded man in the midfield three, also playing in central defence as cover lately, while Xaver Schlager and Christoph Baumgartner are both strong in tackles and also creative. The latter in particular has had a big impact going forward, scoring 12 goals and providing seven assists in 23 competitive games this season. “We showed in the first half in Leipzig that we have a chance, that we can be the better team,” the Austrian playmaker stated looking ahead to Wednesday’s cup tie. Centre-back Willi Orban and goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi offer a wealth of experience and stability in defence.

Mentality and quality

Even with Leipzig’s abilities across the pitch, Bayern showed in the second half of January’s league meeting that they have both the quality and mentality to outdo Die Roten Bullen. After drawing level shortly after the restart, Kompany’s men shifted up a gear and ended up running out 5-1 winners. “What the guys did here was incredible. We ran six kilometres more than the opposition in the second half. It wasn’t perfect, but it was pure old school – mentality, running, fighting, sliding, attacking,” Kompany enthused of his team’s efforts. It’s exactly that approach that Bayern will need to play with again on Wednesday, but this time from the very first minute.

Leipzig have struggled for consistency since that defeat to Bayern. They followed the result with a 3-0 victory away at Heidenheim but then drew 1-1 at St. Pauli and lost 2-1 at home to Mainz. At the weekend, Ole Werner’s side had to grind out a 2-1 win at Köln. “We need to really put up some resistance. We won’t be gifted anything. We’re up for it and need to be brave. Then we can win the game,” said Baumgartner after his match-winning double in Cologne. Brajan Gruda, who made his debut for the club on Sunday after his loan from Brighton & Hove Albion, added, “It’ll be a hard game against Bayern. They’re one of the best teams in the world at the moment, if not the best. But we have a good side and are excited for the game. We’ll put up resistance and try to get to the next round.”

Fans and spectators can certainly look forward to yet another exciting game between two highly motivated and top teams. Can Bayern make it three wins from three against Leipzig this season to keep their DFB Cup dreams alive for 2025/26?

Read up on the stats ahead of the game: