Union await as Bayern return to Berlin in cup | OneFootball

It’s just over three weeks since Union Berlin ended Bayern’s 16-game winning start to the season with a 2-2 draw at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei on Matchday 10 in the Bundesliga. Now FCB return to Berlin in the DFB Cup round of 16 fully aware of how big a challenge they face to progress. Dive into the stats to see what Vincent Kompany’s men need to pay special attention to and what bodes well for them to advance to the quarter-finals.

First cup tie

This will be the first time ever that Bayern face Union in the DFB Cup. The overall head-to-head record across 13 Bundesliga encounters has produced eight FCB wins and five draws. The Bavarians have only ever played against Rot-Weiß Oberhausen more times at professional level without being beaten.

Happy cup travellers

Bayern have been knocked out in only one of their last 21 DFB Cup ties away at a fellow Bundesliga club – 5-0 at Borussia Mönchengladbach in October 2021. The four such matches since then have been seen the Reds score at least four goals each time (17 in total). However, Union have won their last four home ties in the cup, ending a run of seven straight eliminations at the Alte Försterei.

The desire to get to (the other side of) Berlin

With elimination in the round of 16 last season, losing 1-0 at home to Bayer Leverkusen, it means Bayern have reached the quarter-finals in only one of the previous five campaigns (in 2022/23). The last time they got to the final in Berlin was for 2020’s triumph. The team will hope that this game in the capital isn’t their last in 2025/26.

Watch out for set pieces

Union have scored four goals from set pieces in this DFB Cup campaign, which is the most of any team alongside Hoffenheim. The Irons also netted twice from dead balls in the 2-2 draw with Bayern in the league.

Kane’s cup run

However, Bayern boast the competition’s top scorer in Harry Kane, who’s scored braces in both the 3-2 win over Wehen Wiesbaden and 4-1 victory at Köln.

Bayern needed late goals to beat St. Pauli at the weekend:

How FC Bayern broke down St. Pauli's defence