The final game of the season will be special for Bayern Munich. The Bundesliga champions have travelled to Berlin for the DFB Pokal final against VfB Stuttgart. Die Roten have not won this competition since 2020, which makes this final even more crucial for the Bavarian faithful.
Bayern ended a brilliant Bundesliga campaign with a comfortable win against FC Koln last weekend. They have been one of the best teams in Europe when it comes to scoring at a staggering rate. Die Roten lost only one game in the Bundesliga this season. Considering their performances throughout the season, it would be a big surprise if they don’t win the DFB Pokal.
Meanwhile, Stuttgart continue to impress under the leadership of Sebastian Hoeness. They once again qualified for the Champions League by finishing fourth in the Bundesliga. However, Hoeness’ men are coming into Saturday’s final on the back of a lean patch in the league, winning just one of their last five league games. Despite the poor form, Stuttgart are the team to challenge Bayern in this final as they won the competition last season.
Team News
Manuel Neuer is set to miss the game against DFB Pokal as he has not recovered from a calf injury that he suffered against FC Koln on the final matchday of the Bundesliga. Joshua Kimmich will be leading the team against Stuttgart on Saturday.
Alphonso Davies and Serge Gnabry remain the long-term absentees for Bayern. It remains to be seen if Davies will recover in time for the World Cup in June.
Predicted Starting XI
With Neuer ruled out due to injury, Jonas Urbig will start in the goal for Bayern against Stuttgart. The young goalkeeper has got the opportunity to end a productive season on a strong note by delivering a solid performance in the cup final.
Vincent Kompany doesn’t have a big selection headache when it comes to picking the back four. Josip Stanisic will start as the left-back, while Konrad Laimer will slot in the right-back position. Jonathan Tah and Dayot Upamecano will form the center-back partnership against Stuttgart.
Joshua Kimmich will be the main man for Bayern in the center of the pitch. The German midfielder will play alongside Aleksandar Pavlovic in midfield. Even though Leon Goretzka has done well in the past few weeks, Kompany is expected to go with his first choice midfield pairing of Kimmich and Pavlovic on Saturday.
The front four picks itself. Michael Olise will start on the right flank, while Luis Diaz will be playing on the left side of the front four. Harry Kane will lead the attack with Jamal Musiala slotting in the number ten position.
Predicted Starting XI: Urbig; Stanisic, Upamecano, Tah, Laimer; Kimmich, Pavlovic; Diaz, Musiala, Olise; Kane
Score Prediction
Bayern Munich 3-2 VfB Stuttgart
Form goes out of the window in a one-off Cup game. Bayern have been dominant in Germany this season, but they have conceded a lot of goals at the business end of the season. The DFB Pokal final will also be expected to follow the same theme, but the Bundesliga champions will have enough firepower to outscore Stuttgart on Saturday.
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