The DFB-Pokal has once again delivered a final that the whole of Germany craved. Bayer Leverkusen's 'Neverlusen' spirit will be tested against a Bayern Munich side that has looked rejuvenated in recent weeks. "In Berlin, form doesn't matter; only the trophy matters," said Bayern's head coach.
Tactically, the match features a fascinating contrast: Leverkusen's high-line, high-risk possession game versus Bayern's devastating verticality. The fitness of Florian Wirtz remains the primary concern for the Werkself, as his ability to find pockets of space between the lines will be crucial to bypassing Bayern's double-pivot.