Back in the 2. Liga, DSC Arminia Bielefeld have found their footing after a few difficult years. After relegation from the 2. Bundesliga in 2023, they returned by winning the 3. Liga last season, while also causing a few surprises in the cup along the way. Bielefeld defeated the Bundesliga clubs Bayer 04 Leverkusen, SV Werder Bremen, SC Freiburg and 1. FC Union Berlin, and only lost in the final to VfB Stuttgart.

In the current season, mid-table Bielefeld have the second-best attack in the league with an average of 1.9 goals per game. Coach Michél Kniat's team are also characterised by their willingness to run - the East Westphalians are top of the ‘running performance’ and ‘intensive runs’ tables. A prime example is Maël Corboz, the heart of the team in midfield. The captain not only brings vision and precision to the game, but this season has already covered over 130 km.  Not unimportantly, he has also scored one goal and provided two assists.

Arminia are a physically robust team that do not shy away from making their tackles. The team still enjoy their underdog status, as when they despatched SV Werder Bremen, 1-0, in the first round of the cup.

1. FC Union Berlin and DSC Arminia Bielefeld have faced each other 23 times in competitive matches to date. Most of these ended in a draw – a result that will not be repeated on Wednesday evening. The overall record slightly favours Union, with eight wins, while Bielefeld have five. The East Westphalians have never won at the An der Alten Försterei stadium. In eleven games, they have recorded four draws and seven losses. 

There is one familiar face to be seen among the Bielefeld ranks, as Leo Oppermann returns to his former club. The Darmstadt-born player came through all the youth teams at Union between 2016 and 2020, making 59 appearances in goal for the U17s and U19s during that time.

Union's coaching team will have to do without Andrik Markgraf and Robert Skov for the knockout round match.

“If we remain consistent with our principles and make clean use of our opportunities, chances will arise," said Union head coach, Steffen baumgart, during his press conference on Wednesday afternoon. "Bielefeld are characterised by their high intensity, purposeful transitions and strong counter-pressing – we will not underestimate that. We know that we have to invest a lot, but in front of our fans, only one thing counts for us: progressing." 

His opposite number, Mitch Kniat, meanwhile had this to say: "Union are a team that are always well prepared and stick together. They don’t give balls away. Especially at home, they are very strong. They have earned seven of their ten points at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei, which shows they are a real force there. They are well prepared for long balls and quickly look for depth. Union pose difficult challenges for many teams, so we need to find good solutions. Unfortunately, we lack the home advantage, but if we show the same performance as we did on the weekend, we have the chance to progress to the next round."