In daily life in Germany, staying updated on current events is essential, particularly for those who rely on public transport. Even if your German language skills are limited, quickly learning the term “Warnstreik“—which denotes a strike by a major trade union, specifically Verdi—can be crucial.
When such a strike coincides with a major game day in Munich, and considering that nearly half of the fans make their way to the Allianz Arena via the U-Bahn, one can anticipate potential Verkehrschaos (traffic chaos). There were discussions about delaying Wednesday’s DFB-Pokal quarterfinal match against RB Leipzig, but thanks to Bayern Munich‘s influence in the city, they collaborated with the MVG transport authority to formulate a skeleton service to facilitate travel between Marienplatz and the stadium in Fröttmaning.
Whether it was due to the excitement of attending a potentially disrupted game or the significance of the occasion, the atmosphere felt particularly charged. The DFB-Pokal has emerged as a notable challenge for Bayern in recent years, even more so than their actual opponents. Despite being the Rekordpokalsieger (record cup winners) with 20 trophies, Bayern hasn’t claimed the Pott since 2020.
This match against Leipzig offered a chance to reach the semifinals for the first time in six years, making it the most significant game of 2026 for the club, facing a team capable of presenting challenges despite having already suffered heavy defeats (6-0 and 5-1) against Bayern earlier this season. Vincent Kompany’s seriousness was reflected in his decision to keep the same starting lineup from their last competitive match—something not seen since September.
In the opening 10 minutes, Bayern supporters felt anxious as Leipzig pressured intensely, leading to a disallowed goal by Christoph Baumgartner in the fourth minute due to a marginal offside call. However, Bayern soon took control of the game and applied pressure on the visitors from Sachsen.
The breakthrough came shortly after halftime with two goals just three minutes apart. First, a penalty converted by Harry Kane was followed by a brilliant strike from Luis Díaz, set up by an exquisite pass from Michael Olise, that broke down Leipzig’s staunch defense.
Despite the win, Kompany’s side wasn’t flawless. Alphonso Davies continues to struggle following an injury, and both he and second-half substitute Jamal Musiala may need more time to return to their peak performance.
In his post-match discussion with ESPN’s Archie Rhind-Tutt and Thomas Hitzlsperger, the joy of this win was clear for the Belgian coach. A personable yet strategic figure at Bayern, Kompany understands the importance of the Pokal—alongside the club’s recent struggles within the competition—both to the management and the passionate fanbase.
Bayern will await the semifinal draw on February 22, broadcast live on ARD-Sportschau from the German Football Museum. Their possible opponents, Bayer Leverkusen (2024 winners), last year’s Pokalsieger VfB Stuttgart, and SC Freiburg (who eliminated Bayern in the previous year’s quarterfinal) have all been successful in the Pokal during Bayern’s recent dry spell.
Joshua Kimmich wisely expressed his preference for a home draw in Wednesday’s post-match remarks.
The semifinal matches are set for April 21 and 22.
It’s Bayern’s Meisterschale to lose
Continuing their pursuit of a treble, Bayern’s next Bundesliga challenge is against Werder Bremen on Saturday, a ground where they’ve enjoyed much success in recent years—boasting fifteen consecutive victories at Weserstadion. It’s also where Kane made his debut in the German league back in 2023, scoring his first of many goals.
Olise’s suspension will offer a much-needed break after a string of demanding games, allowing 17-year-old sensation Lennart Karl a chance to shine from the start.
With a six-point lead and an advantageous goal difference, Bayern will be aware of Borussia Dortmund’s progress—BVB, their nearest rivals, face VfL Wolfsburg the previous night. Although Dortmund’s performance last week was mediocre, they snatched a last-minute win thanks to Serhou Guirassy.
This week, Nico Schlotterbeck is serving a suspension, Aaron Anselmino has departed the club, and both Emre Can and Filippo Mané are injured. Fortunately, coach Niko Kovac can still deploy a back three of Ramy Bensebaini, Waldemar Anton, and Niklas Süle.
While Dortmund holds the best record in the second half of the league, Kovac should prepare for a challenging match against Mainz, who are right behind them in the table. Under the management of Urs Fischer, the Karnevalsverein (carnival club) has surged up the rankings, avoiding relegation.
Fischer, a notably engaging personality, organizes his teams to be resilient, looking to capitalize on critical moments in matches. He has also given a second chance to 35-year-old goalkeeper Daniel Batz, who previously served as the club’s backup.
In the title race, Dortmund faces a considerably tougher path than Bayern before their next Klassiker on February 28 at Signal Iduna Park.
In the meantime, Die Schwarzgelben have a demanding schedule, with matches every few days. Following Mainz, they face Atalanta at home and away in the UEFA Champions League, with a tough trip to Leipzig in between. Meanwhile, Bayern can benefit from full training weeks leading up to their away game against Eintracht Frankfurt and a subsequent seven-day preparation for Dortmund.
Ultimately, the Meisterschale remains Bayern’s to lose.