The story of two Franconian Bayern fans at the DFB Cup final

FC Bayern fans travel from far and wide to support their team at away matches – even if it means travelling hundreds of kilometres by motorway or rail, across oceans and through deserts. To introduce you to those who spare no effort or expense to experience FC Bayern away from the Allianz Arena, we present our away fans with their unique stories, their love and their passion for FC Bayern.

For Tobias, it’s his very first time ever at the Olympiastadion in Berlin, a cup atmosphere, the final. His younger brother Matthias has been here before. A few friends had taken the man from Herzogenaurach along 19 years ago, when Nürnberg pulled off a surprise victory over VfB Stuttgart and brought the DFB Cup back to Franconia. “I’m taking that as a good omen today. Stuttgart lost back then. Hopefully they’ll lose again today,” says 48-year-old Matthias.

“The atmosphere, the city, the fans – it really is something special,” says Tobias Frerichs (51). The brothers didn’t just want to go to the Olympiastadion on Saturday evening; they wanted to soak up the whole experience, as they put it. “The city, the spirit and the fan cultures of both sides,” said Tobias, obviously with a particular focus on the red-and-white side. They, too, are both bursting with pride in the Bundesliga champions’ new home shirts, featuring a golden cockatoo emblem on the chest. “Giovane Elber sold them to us,” said a beaming Matthias. They bought them at the Bayern pop-up store in the capital, where the giant cockatoo from the title celebrations is also on display. They’ve left their retro shirts at the hotel – the ones with Zickler, Pizzaro and Ballack on the back – which they wore the day before whilst sightseeing amidst the Berlin Wall and the Brandenburg Gate.

Friendly atmosphere

On their wanderings through the city, they came across lots of fans. The atmosphere, particularly with the VfB supporters, is remarkably friendly, characterised by good-natured banter. “That’s just part of it,” say the brothers with a grin.

The fact that they are able to be in Berlin on this scorching day is something very special for both of them – and a significant outlay. The train journey, two nights in a hotel, shirts from the pop-up store, beer and food all add up to a hefty three-figure sum per person. “The experience is worth it and will stay with us forever. It’s the very first time I’ve been away with Bayern. Otherwise, it’s always been the [Munich] Olympic Stadium or the Allianz Arena,” Tobias explained.

Matthias had been to an away game before, as a student in Kaiserslautern over 20 years ago. Some work colleagues had got hold of tickets, and the Bayern fan found himself at Betzenberg among the Red Devils. “I couldn’t cheer or openly celebrate the goals in the 2-0 win. That would’ve caused me real trouble in the Lautern stand,” he explained. Once he’d said goodbye to his colleagues on the way home, the moment finally came: “I cheered so loudly, it was mad. The joy had been building up the whole time, and now I could finally shout it out.”

Rummenigge’s dribbles, Breitner’s hair

His older brother’s love for Bayern began in the 1980s. Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Paul Breitner shaped his childhood. “Rummenigge was the superstar – his pace, his dribbling, his goals – that really gripped me. And Breitner’s hairstyle in that bright red shirt. That stuck with me straight away as a little boy. It fascinated me and never let go.” Added to that is the consistently successful, attractive football. “And also the club’s strong social commitment. We just identify with that.” He passed this on to his younger brother and his little sister too. “From that moment on, we were Reds forever!”

The fact that they now have tickets for the DFB Cup final with their Bayern is a massive stroke of luck. “We didn’t have to think twice,” said Matthias. All that matters now is to enjoy the moment, support Bayern with all their might and experience an unforgettable cup final night.