When SV Wehen Wiesbaden faced off against Bayern Munich, it was a classic David vs Goliath showdown in German football. Fans were eager to see how the third-tier side would match up against one of Europe’s elite powerhouses. With confirmed lineups and team news now released, the anticipation only grew stronger. Here’s everything you need to know about the match, the players, and what to watch for on the pitch.
TLDR:
SV Wehen Wiesbaden named a mostly unchanged lineup full of young local talents and a few seasoned professionals, while Bayern Munich fielded a slightly rotated squad with some young players getting minutes. Thomas Tuchel opted to rest key starters, though big names like Müller and Kimmich still started. Fans were excited to see an attacking Bayern XI versus a low-block strategy from Wehen. The stage was set for an entertaining cup clash between the underdogs and Bundesliga giants.
Confirmed Lineups
SV Wehen Wiesbaden Starting XI:
- Goalkeeper: Florian Stritzel
- Defenders: Gino Fechner, Sascha Mockenhaupt, Ivan Prtajin, Brooklyn Ezeh
- Midfielders: Bjarke Jacobsen, Robin Heußer, Kianz Froese
- Forwards: Benedict Hollerbach, Franko Kovačević, Hyun-Ju Lee
SV Wehen coach Markus Kauczinski stuck with his preferred 4-3-3 formation, opting for a disciplined midfield trio to try and frustrate Bayern’s central creativity. Notably, attacking responsibility was placed on Kovačević and Hollerbach, who possess the pace to counter quickly.
Bayern Munich Starting XI:
- Goalkeeper: Sven Ulreich
- Defenders: Noussair Mazraoui, Matthijs de Ligt, Dayot Upamecano, Alphonso Davies
- Midfielders: Joshua Kimmich, Konrad Laimer
- Attacking Midfielders: Thomas Müller (C), Jamal Musiala, Leroy Sané
- Forward: Mathys Tel
Manager Thomas Tuchel opted for balance by blending experience with emerging talent. Veteran playmaker Thomas Müller led the side as captain, supported by dynamic wide players Musiala and Sané. With Harry Kane and Leon Goretzka rested, young forward Mathys Tel took center stage upfront.
Team News and Injury Updates
SV Wehen Wiesbaden:
Wehen Wiesbaden came into the match without any major injury concerns. The side had a full-strength squad to choose from, and the emphasis was clearly on building a compact defensive unit.
Midfielder Niklas Tietz returned to the matchday squad but started on the bench. The fitness of forward Hyun-Ju Lee had been closely monitored in training, and he was deemed fit to start. Despite being a loanee from Bayern itself, the South Korean winger featured thanks to no clause preventing him from appearing against his parent club.
Bayern Munich:
Tuchel had to reshuffle his midfield due to injuries and heavy fixture congestion.
- Leon Goretzka: Sidelined due to a bruised hand, not risked for this tie.
- Serge Gnabry: Still recovering from a broken forearm—expected to return in a few weeks.
- Manuel Neuer: Though nearing full fitness, the veteran shot-stopper was not included in the squad. Sven Ulreich continued in goal.
- Raphaël Guerreiro: Available but remained on the bench after a recent muscle injury.
Bayern’s bench boasted promising youngsters such as Paul Wanner and Frans Krätzig, a sign that the match also served as a chance to rotate and scout depth within the squad.
Tactical Breakdown
Wehen Wiesbaden’s Approach
It was no secret that Wehen would adopt a pragmatic, defensive-first mindset. Their 4-3-3 morphed into a 4-5-1 without the ball, compacting space in central areas and forcing Bayern wide. Defensive leaders like Mockenhaupt played a key role in organizing a low block that aimed to frustrate Bayern’s buildup.
On offense, Wehen looked to exploit transitional moments, particularly through the diagonal balls to the flanks where Hollerbach and Lee could use their speed. The goal was not possession, but precision—launching meaningful counters with minimal touches.
Bayern Munich’s Setup
Tuchel’s lineup suggested a possession-heavy system revolving around Kimmich’s passing range and Musiala’s creativity between the lines. Müller provided control and intelligence in combining with Sané and Tel, while Davies and Mazraoui bombed down the flanks to stretch Wehen’s shape.
Sané, in particular, has been in red-hot form and was expected to be the trigger point for most attacking sequences. The young Tel offered unpredictable movement, often drifting to the left to link with Davies and Musiala.
Key Battles to Watch
1. Thomas Müller vs Bjarke Jacobsen
Müller’s space-finding ability matched up against Wehen’s most industrious midfielder. Jacobsen was given the unenviable task of shadowing Bayern’s wildcard man and trying to intercept his movement before it turned into assists.
2. Leroy Sané vs Gino Fechner
Sané’s dribbling and speed made Fechner’s right-back role challenging. A potential mismatch Bayern would look to exploit early in the game, especially in 1-vs-1 situations.
3. Tel vs Mockenhaupt and Prtajin
Mathys Tel, though still young, has been efficient in tight spaces and lethal in the box. The Wehen center-back pairing needed to remain alert to sudden runs behind the line and quick changes of direction from the French teenager.
What This Match Means for Both Clubs
For SV Wehen Wiesbaden, hosting Bayern Munich at home is not only a moment of prestige but also a valuable financial and emotional uplift. Matches of this scale expose their players to larger audiences and offer unforgettable experience against world-class opposition. A strong display—even in defeat—can boost morale and momentum for their league campaign.
For Bayern Munich, the stakes are different. Cup matches against lower-league opponents are about asserting dominance, avoiding injuries, and integrating lesser-used players. Tuchel approached the game with enough seriousness, knowing a slip-up would cause national headlines and pressure. It was also an opportunity for players like Tel and Wanner to make cases for increased Bundesliga minutes.
Fan Reactions and Atmosphere
The home crowd at Brita-Arena in Wiesbaden was electric. From early in the day, fans flooded streets and created a festival-like atmosphere. Red-and-white shirts mixed with local supporters sporting navy blue, making it a vibrant sea of colors and chants.
For SV Wehen Wiesbaden’s loyal fans, just hosting Bayern Munich was historic. For Bayern fans, it offered a taste of local football culture and the thrill of tightly packed stands—an intimacy rarely found in Allianz Arena showdowns.
Final Thoughts
This cup clash is a testament to why football remains the world’s most beloved sport: the excitement of unpredictability, the romance of underdog stories, and the constant tactical chess match between unequal giants. While Bayern Munich are expected to progress, SV Wehen Wiesbaden have already won something intangible—respect and recognition on a much larger stage.
Whatever the result, both clubs stand to gain. For Wehen, it’s a night to remember. For Bayern, it’s one more step on the long road toward silverware, marked by resilience and responsibility to stay dominant against any and all challengers.
