Bayern sporting director Christoph Freund: ‘Am sure it’ll be a really good final’

Twelve days before the DFB Cup final in Berlin, the traditional cup handover took place on Monday at the capital’s Rotes Rathaus. At the annual ceremony, the holder hand over the trophy to the host city, Berlin, where it will be kept over the coming days before a new winner is crowned in the final between Bayern and VfB Stuttgart on 23 May

Alongside club ambassador Giovane Élber, sporting director Christoph Freund was also present on behalf of the German record champions at the handover ceremony. Ahead of his first DFB Cup final with the club, the Austrian’s excitement about the match at the Olympiastadion was plain to see: “It’s something quite special. The whole club is talking about how it’s a magical night. I’m absolutely delighted to be here for the first time in a decision-making role,” said Freund, who naturally already has the ideal outcome for the evening in mind: “We haven’t been to Berlin for a long time, and everyone is really raring to go. Now we want to take the trophy home with us.”

However, Bayern won’t have it easy. “It couldn’t be much harder; Stuttgart are playing really good football,” emphasised the sporting director. “The fans can look forward to a really good match. Both teams want to play attacking, attractive football. I’m sure we’ll see a really good final.” Just as they did at the start of the season in the Franz Beckenbauer Supercup, when the Munich side secured the title in a tight 2-1 win at Stuttgart. “We started the season against Stuttgart and we’re ending it the same way. Both clubs have done a lot of things right. We’re really looking forward to it,” Freund added.