The 2024-25 DFB-Pokal kicks off with SSV Ulm keen to cause a major upset in Friday's first-round match at Donaustadion.
Ulm's winless league start means they are not fancied to rain on Vincent Kompany's parade as he makes his competitive Bayern Munich bow in Baden-Wurttemberg.
Match preview
© Reuters
Ulm have failed to win in consecutive league matches and hope to notch their first victory of the 24-25 season against the 20-time domestic cup winners.
Last season's tier three side gained promotion to the second division but have hitherto been beaten by Kaiserslautern (2-1) on home soil and by Regensburg (1-0) last time out.
Having been unable to get to grips with a new division, it remains to be seen how Thomas Worle's men fare against the mighty Bayern.
Ulm aim to draw inspiration from Saarbrucken's stunning run to the semi-finals last season, which included a shock second-round victory over Bayern.
However, the team's lack of clean sheets in two competitive games and six if non-competitive matches are included does not bode well for the second-tier club.
Unlike their hosts, Bayern are yet to play competitively in 24-25, meaning Friday's match represents Kompany's first with something at stake.
Last season's shock 2-1 defeat by Saarbrucken was one of several atypical results for the Bavarian giants, who aim for an improved manner after the previous campaign's insipid showings.
Kompany's men avoided defeat throughout pre-season, with a 1-1 draw with FC Duren in late July their only slip in non-competitive action, and they seek to keep that unbeaten streak going.
While Bayern were goal-laden in their off-season matches, they waited until their final friendly game against Tirol (3-0) to claim their first clean sheet after letting in a goal in the draw with Duren and victories over Rottach-Egern (14-1) and Tottenham Hotspur (2-1) before letting in two against Ange Postecoglou's men in North London on August 10 despite winning 3-2.
While the unsatisfactory number of shutouts will displease the former centre-back, the Bavarians are still expected to notch a victory in their third meeting with Friday's opponents and a first since 2000.
- L
- L
Team News
© Imago
Last season's top scorer Leo Scienza has departed for Bundesliga side Heidenheim, leaving the second division club to find solutions in other players.
Laurin Ulrich is doubtful for the home side due to illness, having not featured in the league before domestic cup action.
Kompany has several first-team absentees, with Tarek Buchmann, Leroy Sane (groin), Hiroki Ito (foot), Daniel Peretz and Arijon Ibrahimovic (both muscle complaints) missing, even if only Sane may have been guaranteed a start.
Having returned to pre-season against his old club Spurs, Harry Kane got 45 minutes in the 3-0 win over Tirol, scoring in minute three before going off at the interlude, and the forward should start against Ulm.
Summer arrival Joao Palhinha should get his first competitive start for the Bavarians as he gets his first taste of German football after arriving from Fulham.
SSV Ulm possible starting lineup:
Ortag; Gaal, Reichert, Strompf; Allegeier, Maier, Brandt, Rosch; Chessa, Krattenmacher; Higl
Bayern Munich possible starting lineup:
Ulreich; Stanisic, Dier, Upamecano, Davies; Kimmich, Palhinha; Gnabry, Musiala, Tel; Kane
We say: SSV Ulm 1-3 Bayern Munich
Despite the dearth of clean sheets and lack of competitive action for Bayern, Kompany's men should secure a place in the second round on their return to the competition since their shock loss to Saarbrucken last November.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
