FC Bayern Women chasing domestic double against Wolfsburg

Fresh from winning the Bundesliga on Saturday, FC Bayern Women now head to Cologne looking to claim the domestic double for the first time in their history as they take on Wolfsburg in the DFB Cup on Thursday (kick-off: 4pm CEST). Here’s all you need to know ahead of the big game in our preview.

State of play

Bayern’s road to the final has seen them beat Andernach in the second round (2-0), Kickers Offenbach in the last 16 (6-0) and Carl Zeiss Jena in the quarters (3-0) before a semi-final encounter with Eintracht Frankfurt. The game remained level after 120 minutes and therefore went to penalties, where Mala Grohs emerged as the hero with three saves to take the Munich ladies into the final.

Captain Glódís Viggósdóttir’s team come into the showpiece in good form as well on the back of 12 straight wins in all competitions, including a 4-0 victory away at opponents Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga. They now want to crown that run and this season by lifting the cup and completing the double. It would be only the second time Bayern have won the domestic cup, after 2012’s success.

Opponent: Wolfsburg

Wolfsburg produced a statement result to reach the final by beating Essen 9-0 in the semis. It’s the 10th year in a row that the She-Wolves have made it to the showpiece, which they have won in each of the last nine seasons.

The record 10-time DFB Cup winners have also found their form again in the Bundesliga. Since their 4-0 loss at home to Bayern, Timmy Stroot’s side have claimed commanding wins over Freiburg (4-1), Duisburg (4-1) and Köln (5-1). With two games to go in the league, they are assured of finishing as runners-up and a place in the qualifying rounds of the UEFA Women’s Champions League.

Team news

Head coach Alexander Straus remains without Franziska Kett (muscular), Ana Maria Guzman (knee), Tainara and Alara Sehitler (both ill). Weronika Zawistowska and Cecilia Ran Runarsdottir are both in training again after their injuries. Pernille Harder is available again after missing the weekend’s win in Leverkusen through illness.

Pre-final quotes

Alexander Straus: “Obviously it’ll be a difficult game. It’s the two best women’s teams in Germany facing off. Recent results against Wolfsburg have often been high and one-sided, but the games themselves were always even.”

Glódís Viggósdóttir: “Anything can happen in a cup final, but we’ve shown often enough this season that we can beat any team. We need to perform and be ready for everything.”