Bayern Munich vs Bayer Leverkusen

Bayer Leverkusen’s title-defending DFB-Pokal campaign faces the sternest challenge in the Round of 16 as they head to the Allianz Arena to encounter record-time champions Bayern Munich.

Jamal Musiala’s late header salvaged a point for Bayern Munich in last weekend’s ‘Der Klassiker’ against Borussia Dortmund (1-1), upholding their unbeaten Bundesliga start under Vincent Kompany (W9, D3). However, the Bavarians relinquished an outstanding seven-game winning streak across all competitions, which featured an emphatic 4-0 triumph at Mainz in the opening DFB-Pokal round. Bayern’s bid to reclaim the cup title pits them against a Leverkusen side they’ve failed to beat in four of their last six home meetings (W2, D3, L1), including a frustrating 1-1 league draw earlier this season. That result remains the only blemish on Bayern’s otherwise perfect home record in competitive action this season (W7). 

On the other hand, Xabi Alonso’s side squeezed past second-tier Kaiserslautern 1-0 in last season’s final to secure their first DFB-Pokal trophy since 1993. In addition to climbing to the podium in Germany’s most prestigious cup competition, Bayer Leverkusen became the first team in Bundesliga history to win the title unscathed. However, despite commencing their cup title defense with a 1-0 victory at lower-league CZ Jena, the visitors have been merely a shadow of a team that submitted Germany’s top flight to their will last term. Yet, their form has recently taken an upward trajectory, going from three consecutive matches without winning (D2, L1) to three triumphs in a row, including a 2-1 league win at Union Berlin last weekend.