Bayern Munich vs Werder Bremen – DFB Pokal Cup – Preview

Posted on April 19, 2016 by Sreya

Bayern Munich hosts Werder Bremen at Allianz Arena, Munich on 19th April, Tuesday in the semi-finals of the DFB Pokal Cup.

Bayern Munich saw off Wolfsburg, Darmstadt and Bochum in the previous rounds to progress into the last four of the DFB Pokal Cup. Werder Bremen defeated FC Koln, Borussia Monchengladbach and Bayer Leverkusen en route to the semi-finals.

Team News

Holger Badstuber, Arjen Robben and Jerome Boateng are sidelined through injuries for Bayern Munich. Manuel Goetze, who has rarely seen minutes under Pep Guardiola, is likely to be snubbed once again after a disappointing show against Schalke.

Werder Bremen will be without Philipp Bargfrede (knee surgery), Raphael Wolf (hip surgery), Michael Zetterer (fracture), Aaron Johannsson (hip surgery). Papy Djilobodji, who is suspended in the Bundesliga, is eligible here.

Bayern Munich Possible Starting Lineup: Manuel Neuer, Philipp Lahm, Joshua Kimmich, Javi Martinez, David Alaba, Arturo Vidal, Douglas Costa, Thomas Muller, Thiago Alcantara, Franck Ribery, Robert Lewandowski.

Werder Bremen Possible Starting Lineup: Felix Wiedwald, Theodor Gebre Selassie, Papy Djilobdji, Jannik Vestergaard, Santiago Garcia, Clemens Fritz, Florian Grillitsch, Sambou Yatabare, Zlatko Junuzovic, Fin Bartels, Claudio Pizzarro.

Thoughts From Both Camps

“If we play like we did in the first half against Schalke then we can say goodbye to the cup. I want to get to the final. If we’re ready and focused, we’ll be in with a chance. [Pizzaro] is s one of the best central strikers I’ve ever come across. He’s incredible in the box. [To think it will be an easy game] would be a big mistake. Anything can happen in a single match.”

– Pep Guardiola, Bayern Munich.

“Anything can happen in a one-off match. Our previous cup ties have shown we’re capable of going to our limits and beyond in single matches. We have to have believe and we have to show courage. If so anything’s possible.”

– Clemens Fritz, Werder Bremen.

Contributor’s Pick

According to Head-2-Head statistics, Bayern Munich have won their last eight encounters with Werder Bremen in all competitions. In fact, Bayern Munich defeated Werder Bremen 5-0 a little more than a month ago. Bayern Munich have kept a clean sheet in their last four matches against Werder Bremen in all competitions

Bayern Munich have won eighteen of their last twenty one matches in the DFB Pokal Cup, while Werder Bremen have won their last three. Although Werder Bremen caused an upset in the last round and Bayern Munich have struggled with their form recently, Pep Guardiola’s side are the favorites to win with 2-0 being the most probable result.