Cologne – Bayern Munich

Rivals in the cup match in Cologne will exchange goals.

In recent years, the German Cup has become almost as tough a tournament for Bavaria as the Champions League. At least, both mentioned tournaments were last won by the Munich club in 2020. The last five editions of the national cup ended with victories for Leipzig, Borussia Dortmund, Bayer, and even Stuttgart, but not the leaders of German football. Interestingly, during this period, Bavaria has almost always been eliminated in the early stages of the German Cup. It happened three times in the Round of 32, once in the Round of 16, and again in the quarter-finals. Among the other tormentors of Bavaria were clubs from the Second Bundesliga and the Third League, and from Gladbach Borussia, Neuer, Lewandowski, and company somehow conceded five unanswered goals while playing with the first team. What kind of Bavaria will take to the field in the second round of the upcoming German Cup? On one hand, there are no grounds for the team coached by Kompany to lose in Cologne. Moreover, a new contract has been signed with this coach until 2029, which indicates an atmosphere of trust in Munich. On the other hand, there were no grounds for being eliminated at such stages in previous years either. Cologne returned to the Bundesliga after last season and is now somewhat successfully trying to establish itself in the elite of German football. In the league, the 'goats' are playing decently, but they invariably lose to the leading clubs in the division. Bookmakers have made the guests the favourites for the upcoming match, offering odds of 1.65 for their victory. Bavaria attempted to pull off their usual 'trick' of an early exit from the German Cup already in the Round of 64 but decided not to rush things and scored the winning goal in the 90+4 minute against Vienna, representing the Third League. The players of Bavaria can be understood. When faced with such opponents in a series of Champions League and Bundesliga matches, it's hard not to relax with a two-goal lead during the match. The German champions won thirteen out of thirteen matches of the season across four tournaments. Two full days after their trip to Cologne, Bavaria has a Bundesliga match against Bayer. Cologne will try to take advantage of such circumstances. The 'goats' do not need extra motivation for such matches. Let's place a bet that both opponents will score.