Bayern Munich begin their DFB-Pokal campaign on Tuesday night when they visit third-tier outfit Preussen Munster.
While Die Roten are 20-time winners of this competition, they haven’t got their gluttonous hands on the silverware since 2020 when they completed the treble under Hansi Flick. They’ve endured a couple of humiliating early exits since then, with Tuesday’s hosts looking to secure the most unlikely of victories in their upcoming duel.
Bayern romped to a 7-0 thumping of Bochum last time out in the Bundesliga as Harry Kane notched his first hat-trick in Germany (although the Germans only classify a trio of strikes in one half as an official ‘hat-trick’). It’s been an efficient start to the campaign for Thomas Tuchel’s side, who are yet to taste defeat in 2023/24.
Here’s 90min’s preview of Bayern’s first round DFB-Pokal clash.
Preussen Munster vs Bayern Munich H2H record
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This is a huge occasion for the hosts and Sascha Hildmann will pick his best available team for it. Thus, there shouldn’t be many changes from the side that drew with Lubeck at the weekend.
Joel Grodowski impressed on Saturday, and the former Bradford City striker could partner Gerrit Wegkamp, who had an immediate impact off the bench against Lubeck.
Local boy and club captain Marc Lorenz should also play a part, while ex-USA international Andrew Wooten will likely play a role off the bench for the hosts.
Preussen Munster predicted lineup vs Bayern (3-5-2): Niehues; Koulis, Kok, Hahn; Kyerewaa, Preissinger, Bazzoli, Lorenz, Bockle; Wegkamp, Grodowski
While Tuchel discussed his respect for the competition and Bayern’s upcoming opponents in his pre-match press conference, he’s expected to make wholesale changes to the XI that thumped Bochum 7-0.
Tuchel confirmed that current second choice goalkeeper Daniel Peretz will start in place of Sven Ulreich with Manuel Neuer still absent. Raphael Guerreiro will also return to the matchday squad and he should make his Bayern debut on Tuesday.
However, Matthijs de Ligt picked up a knock at the weekend and will miss out. The Dutch defender joins young Tarek Buchmann on the sidelines.
Bayern predicted lineup vs Preussen Munster (4-2-3-1): Peretz; Sarr, Upamecano, Kim, Kratzig; Laimer, Goretzka; Gnabry, Muller, Tel; Choupo-Moting
It’s borderline impossible to predict anything but an emphatic Bayern win on Tuesday. They haven’t had the greatest record in the competition over the past few years, sure, but the difference in quality between a top-tier European side and third-tier minnow should be stark.
Rotation will play a factor and Bayern may need a few minutes to click into gear, but once they do the goalscoring floodgates should open.
Prediction: Preussen Munster 0-7 Bayern Munich
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90Mins
