Bayern and Leipzig Clash in Cup Quarterfinal with History of Dominance
Munich – Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig are set to face off in a DFB-Pokal quarterfinal clash at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday evening, with a spot in the semifinals at stake. The match pits the Bundesliga leaders against a Leipzig side hoping to recapture their cup form, but the historical balance of power heavily favors the Bavarian giants.
The encounter comes after Bayern secured a dominant 5-1 victory over Hoffenheim last weekend, a result that ended a brief two-match winless streak in the Bundesliga. Prior to that, Bayern had emphatically defeated Leipzig 5-1 away at the Red Bull Arena, marking the third time in four meetings they’ve scored five or more goals against their rivals.
Despite Leipzig’s recent successes in the German Cup – reaching the semifinals in four of the last six editions and winning back-to-back titles in 2022 and 2023 – their league form has been less consistent. Currently trailing Bayern by a significant 15 points in the Bundesliga standings, Leipzig has only won three of their last eight league matches.
The history between these two clubs in recent years has been largely one-sided. In August 2025, Bayern demolished Leipzig 6-0, a game highlighted by a hat-trick from Harry Kane and a brace from Michael Olise, alongside a goal from Luis Díaz. That result underscored Bayern’s clear superiority, a trend that has been evident in several recent encounters.
However, Leipzig coach Ole Werner is undeterred, expressing confidence in his team’s ability to challenge Bayern. “Nobody expects us to leave the pitch as winners, but we do – and you should see that on the pitch too,” Werner stated at a press conference. He acknowledged Bayern’s strong season but believes his team can “hurt Bayern.”
For Bayern, the DFB-Pokal represents a chance to end a six-year trophy drought in the competition. Despite their consistent dominance in the Bundesliga, Bayern hasn’t lifted the cup since 2020. CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen emphasized the importance of the match, stating, “It’s clear, it’s all about the whole thing. We haven’t been to Berlin in six years. That means we have some catching up to do.”
The match also carries significance in the broader context of German football. League president Hans-Joachim Watzke recently commented on Bayern’s sustained success, noting their “extremely good structures” and “outstanding protagonists.” While acknowledging Bayern’s dominance, Watzke also pointed to Bayer Leverkusen’s recent Bundesliga title as a sign that the competitive landscape is evolving.
The upcoming quarterfinal is more than just a game; it’s a test of Leipzig’s ability to challenge Bayern’s dominance and a chance for the Bavarian side to finally break their cup drought. While Bayern enters the match as the clear favorite, Werner and his Leipzig squad are determined to make a statement at the Allianz Arena.
