Bayern Munich will face FC Heidenheim in the DFB Pokal quarterfinals
The DFB Pokal quarterfinal draw has been made, and Bayern Munich will face 2. Bundesliga side FC Heidenheim in early April.
It’s been a busy few weeks for Bayern Munich, and things are only going to get busier over the coming weeks. The Bavarians are competing in three different competitions, and though they must focus on catching up with Bundesliga leaders Borussia Dortmund, they also have a big Champions League matchup against Liverpool looming on the horizon.
Of course, Bayern are also deep into their other cup competition. They narrowly beat Hertha Berlin 3-2 last week to secure their place in the DFB Pokal quarterfinals. The quarterfinal draw was held earlier today, and Bayern Munich will face 2. Bundesliga side FC Heidenheim in early April.
Four other teams from Germany’s top flight got past the round of 16, but the Bavarians managed to avoid each of them. Instead, RB Leipzig will take on FC Augsburg, while Schalke 04 face Werder Bremen. The final quarterfinal match will feature 2. Bundesliga leaders Hamburger SV taking on seventh-placed Paderborn.
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Heidenheim, meanwhile, are fourth in the German second division. Led by coach Frank Schmidt, a native of Heidenheim, the 2. Bundesliga side could cause some issues for Bayern. Minnows Drochtersen/Assel and SV Rodinghausen both gave the Bundesliga giants a scare in earlier rounds of the DFB Pokal, so Niko Kovac and Co. would do well to be wary of the threat an inspired underdog can bring.
That being said, Bayern have more than enough quality to overwhelm their opposition and put this match away without too many issues. They should not take the match for granted, of course, but it will be nice for them to face an inferior opposition at such an important stage of the season.
Winning the DFB Pokal is becoming more and more important for Bayern, as it’s likely their best bet at securing any silverware this season. Borussia Dortmund are flying high in the Bundesliga, but have already dropped out of the German cup.
Bayern Munich are from the best club in Europe at the moment, and their Champions League hopes seem almost non-existent. Getting past Liverpool in the round of 16 is already a tough ask for Niko Kovac’s men.
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Neither the Bundesliga nor the Champions League are completely out of the question, but the DFB Pokal is easily Kovac’s best chance of taking home any silverware in his first season at the club.