Bayern target spot in DFB Cup quarter-finals against holders Bayer Leverkusen

The most successful team in DFB Cup history takes on the current holders as Bayern welcome Bayer Leverkusen to the Allianz Arena in the round of 16 on Tuesday (kick-off at 8.45pm CET, live coverage on fcbayern.com and in the FC Bayern app with our text commentary and free web radio). Here’s all you need to know ahead of the game in our preview.

Check out the photos from final training on Monday:

Latest news from Bayern

After beating Paris Saint-Germain 1-0 in the Champions League and Saturday’s 1-1 draw away at Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga, Bayern now face their third huge fixture in a third different competition in a week with Leverkusen’s visit in the DFB Cup. And the excitement has by no means waned for head coach Vincent Kompany, who believes “these are the games for which we became footballers”. And the Belgian can lead his team into this next one with confidence on the back of seven clean sheets in the last eight competitive fixtures and Saturday’s hard-fought, character-showing point in Dortmund. The fact that this is now a different scenario in a knockout game also excites the coach. “We need this pressure to be at our best level,” said Kompany, who’s banking on his team’s performance “befitting the magnitude of this game”.

However, Bayern go into this crucial tie without top scorer Harry Kane. “He’s scored 20 goals this season. You can’t replace that,” Kompany stated of the striker, who suffered a minor muscle strain in his right hamstring at the weekend. According to the Belgian, his absence will need to be compensated for as a collective: “We’ve got enough players who can play that role and pose a threat. That obviously helps us resolve this situation.”

Read more from Kompany at his pre-match press conference:

Opponent: Bayer Leverkusen

Like Bayern, who have reached the last 16 thanks to 4-0 wins at Ulm and then Mainz, Leverkusen have also enjoyed a pretty comfortable ride to this stage, getting past Chemnitz (1-0) and Elversberg (3-0) without conceding a single goal. The double winners’ form has also been improving of late after failing early in the campaign to match the levels that saw them lift the Bundesliga and DFB Cup unbeaten in 2023/24. “Leverkusen have been solid again in recent weeks, have gotten better results and allowed very little,” said Joshua Kimmich, who is expecting a “evenly matched tie” on Tuesday. “Anything can happen in a knockout game. Both teams are in good form,” the 29-year-old added.

Xabi Alonso’s men have won their last three competitive fixtures, including the biggest victory in their Champions League history as they beat Red Bull Salzburg 5-0 last week. It was a good comeback from their recent 4-0 loss at Liverpool the previous European outing, which remains the team’s sole defeat since August. Despite that good form, the Leverkusen coach refused to be drawn into any big fighting talk ahead of this cup tie. “We know how tough it is to play in Munich. They’re always the favourites at home. They’re showing that in every competition right now,” the ex-Bayern midfielder stated.

Read up on the pre-match facts:

Team news

As well as Kane, Bayern remain without João Palhinha (muscular), Hiroki Ito (metatarsal) and Josip Stanišić (knee). Aleksandar Pavlović is also not yet ready to return following his broken collarbone.

Leverkusen come to Munich with Martin Terrier and Jeanuel Belocian fit again and able to feature. They are without Victor Boniface (muscular), Amine Adli (broken leg) and Jonas Hofmann (thigh).

João Palhinha resumed running on Monday:

What the coaches say