The 2020 DFB-Pokal reaches its conclusion on Saturday, as Bayer Leverkusen face Bayern Munich in the final at the Olympiastadion.
Bayer Leverkusen are aiming to lift the Pokal for the first time in 27 years, since their first and only triumph in 1993. Die Werkself could do with a piece of silverware to cap off their season, having missed out on a Champions League spot by just two points on the final day.
Put it in your diaries ?#DFBPokal #Berlin2020 #B04FCB pic.twitter.com/YO0n6QygWF
— The DFB-Pokal (@DFBPokal_EN) June 11, 2020
Meanwhile, Bayern Munich are eyeing up a record 20th Pokal and their 11th of the century. FCB could win the Bundesliga-Pokal double for the 13th time in their history.
Ahead of the final showdown in Berlin, here is everything you need to know about the 2020 DFB-Pokal final.
When Is Kick Off? Saturday 4 July
What Time Is Kick Off? 19:00 (BST)
Where Is it Played? Olympiastadion, Berlin
TV Channel/Live Stream? BT Sport 1 (UK), fuboTV (US)
ℹ️? some bitter news ahead of the Pokal final this weekend…
Paulinho has suffered a tear in his right anterior cruciate ligament during training and will be out for the coming months. He’ll have surgery tomorrow in Innsbruck. pic.twitter.com/MS9XqV6iu9
— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04_en) July 2, 2020
Bayer Leverkusen’s sole absentee is an unfortunate one, as young winger Paulinho misses out through injury. The 19-year-old has made 19 appearances this season, playing twice en route to the Final, but picked up an anterior cruciate ligament injury that will keep him out for a matter of months.
Corentin Tolisso misses out for Bayern Munich, still sidelined with a knee injury. Niklas Süle and Javi Martínez are doubtful for Saturday’s clash, while the young German duo of Fiete Arp and Lars Lukas Mai are also doubts.
Bayer Leverkusen: Hrádecký; L.Bender, Tapsoba, S. Bender, Sinkgraven; Baumgartlinger, Aranguiz; Diaby, Havertz, Bailey; Volland.
Bayern Munich: Neuer; Pavard, Boateng, Alaba, Davies; Kimmich, Goretzka; Gnabry, Müller, Coman; Lewandowski.
Bayer Leverkusen ended the Bundesliga season in strong fashion, earning a 1-0 win over Mainz thanks to Kevin Volland’s early strike. However, it was not enough for them to earn a top four spot, instead finishing the season in fifth and going into next season’s Europa League group stage.
Nevertheless, Bayer have had a promising run en route to Berlin, reaching their first DFB-Pokal final since 2009. Die Werkself beat fellow Bundesliga sides Paderborn and Union Berlin in their cup run, before cruising past fourth-tier outfit FC Saarbrücken to book their place at the Olympiastadion.
Bayern sealed their 30th Bundesliga title this year, finishing 13 points clear of Borussia Dortmund. Die Roten remain unbeaten in all competitions in 2020, including 13 straight league wins and a ruthless run of 24 games without defeat.
The best defensive side in Germany has kept just one clean sheet in the DFB-Pokal however so they may be a weakness to exploit here for Bayer (emphasis on ‘may’). Flick’s men faced three top flight clubs and edged past them all, defeating Hoffenheim, Schalke and Eintracht Frankfurt to reach their 24th Pokal final.
The DFB-Pokal final should be an entertaining one. Their two league meetings served up nine goals, and while Bayern will look to add another trophy to their overflowing cabinet, Leverkusen will be desperate to end their 27-year wait for a cup.
Bayer Leverkusen can beat anyone on their day, and as the last team to beat Bayern at the Allianz Arena, Peter Bosz’s men will surely fancy their chances. But without a defeat this calendar year, storming to the Bundesliga title and far from finished for the season, this should be another dazzling display by Flick’s Bayern Munich, as they go for Pokal number 20.
Prediction: Bayer Leverkusen 2-3 Bayern Munich
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