Bayern and Stuttgart Set to Battle for German Cup Title

This evening, the Olympiastadion in Berlin will host one of the most anticipated matches in German football—the final for the German Cup between Bayern Munich and Stuttgart. Bayern, entering as the new champions, seek their first double since 2020, while Stuttgart, the current cup holders, aim to show that their victory last year was no accident.

This season, Bayern Munich has set a record with 122 goals and 89 points under the guidance of Vincent Kompany. Their last match ended in a 5-1 victory over Cologne, showcasing their lethal form. Stuttgart, on the other hand, finished fourth in the league, with recent wins over Bayer Leverkusen and a draw with Eintracht Frankfurt.

Bayern's Tactical Setup

Vincent Kompany is likely to stick with his 4-2-3-1 formation. With Manuel Neuer absent, Jonas Urbig will guard the goal. The defense will be led by Dayo Upamecano and Jonathan Tah, with Josip Stanišić and Konrad Laimer playing on the flanks. In midfield, Joshua Kimmich and Aleksandar Pavlovic will control the tempo, providing a platform for the attacking trio of Olise, Musiala, and Luis Díaz behind goal-scoring harvester Harry Kane.

Stuttgart's Tactical Approach

Sebastian Hoeneß will employ a flexible 3-4-2-1 formation, which easily transitions to 5-3-2 in defense. Alexander Nübel, facing his former club, will be under pressure. The defensive trio includes Hendriks, Shabow, and Mitelshet. Jamie Levelling and Chris Führich will have the tough task of covering the flanks. Stuttgart's attack features Deniz Undav and Ermedin Demirović, supported by the creative Bilal El Khannouchi.

The most intriguing clash will be between Harry Kane and Djef Shabow. Kane has scored five goals in the tournament so far and has a perfect record against Stuttgart, scoring a hat-trick in October 2024 and two goals in December 2025. Shabow will need to be perfect in positioning to stop him.

In midfield, the battle between Jamal Musiala and Atakan Karazor will be crucial. Musiala has been the engine of Bayern's attack with four big chances created this season, while Karazor has been Stuttgart's defensive leader with six successful duels and two goals on attacking appearances.

Statistically, Stuttgart faces a tough challenge—Bayern has won the last five direct encounters between the two teams. This season, Bayern triumphed 4-2 and 5-0 in the Bundesliga, and also won 2-1 against Stuttgart in the German Super Cup final in August. The overall goal difference in these five matches stands at a significant 18-5 in Bayern's favor.

Bayern's defense and wings are significantly weakened. Alongside captain Manuel Neuer, Alphonso Davies and Serge Gnabry are out for the final, limiting Kompany's options for substitutions. In contrast, Stuttgart's camp is fully fit, with Hoeneß able to field his best lineup in Berlin.