If you look at the current season so far, Bayern's success is even more impressive bearing in mind that they have had to do without two key players in Alphonso Davies and Jamal Musiala, since the beginning of the season. Both have seen their return to training after serious injuries, but are still not an option for the match on Wednesday. The qualities of the German international are especially missed, but with the signing of Luis Díaz and the introduction of homegrown player Lennart Karl, their absence has at least been compensated.

With four goals and two assists in 17 appearances, 17-year-old Karl has beccome a regular part of the FCB attack. On the whole, with 34 points, eleven wins, and a 44-9 goal difference after twelve matchdays make another title seem increasingly likely.  

However, they have been waiting for a Cup win since 2019/20, having been eliminated in the second round three times in a row. Three years ago, they were stopped in the quarter-finals, and a year ago, also on 03.12., they had to concede defeat to Bayer 04 Leverkusen in the round of 16.

After thirteen games, Union are still waiting for their first victory over FC Bayern. With two consecutive draws recently at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei, they have increased their draw count to five, while the FCB remains at eight successes.

On Wednesday, Derrick Köhn and Wooyeong Jeong will feel an extra dose of motivation, as both Union players are meeting their former club. Between them, they have played 143 times for Bayern's first and second teams.

Andrik Markgraf, Robert Skov and Dmytro Bogdanov are not available for the match.

“After the blow against Heidenheim, we want to focus 100% on the Cup match now," said Union's head coach, Steffen baumgart, during his press conference on Tuesday afternoon. "In tomorrow's match, there is only black and white, and therefore only one chance. We want to avoid chaos at the back, but create it at the front. For that, we need to defend focused, get our transition play going, and also utilise set pieces. Bayern will – just like us – have learned from the league match.”   

FCB coach Vincent Kompany meanwhile had this to say: “What we showed in the last five minutes against Union, we can do again. We did it against St. Pauli. It is a knockout match against a physically strong team. Union hopes that they will have their moment. That's good pressure. At the end of the season, we want to have that pressure again, even greater if possible. We want to deliver a good performance and win – we are prepared for everything, for 90 minutes or 30 more. The pressure is positive.”

As usual, the Stadion An der Alten Försterei opens two hours before kick off, the match is sold out in the home and away sections.  

There continue to be extensive disruptions to public transport, and access via the tram lines "Altstadt Köpenick" is only possible with the rail replacement service. All visitors are therefore advised to arrive early.