Bayern Munich vs VfB Stuttgart - guide to the final in Berlin
Bayern Munich and VfB Stuttgart play the DFB Pokal final on May 23 at the Olympiastadion in Berlin, in a slot reserved for the German cup as the season's final stage. This is not an ordinary end to the competitive year: Bayern arrive in Berlin as Bundesliga champions and as a team seeking a domestic double, while Stuttgart defend the trophy won last season and want to confirm that last year's cup was not a one-off excursion. Tickets for this match are in demand among fans because two large fan bases, a neutral stadium and a final with no second chance all come together in the same city.
What is at stake
Bayern had already secured the Bundesliga title before the season finale, and according to the current table after 33 rounds they have 86 points and are convincingly ahead of the chasing pack. That gives the final clear weight: Vincent Kompany's team are not coming only for another trophy, but for confirmation of a season in which domestic dominance was expressed through the numbers as well. On the other side, Stuttgart are fourth at the same moment with 61 points, fighting for a high league position and with the cup as a chance to close the season with a title remembered longer than a place in the table.
For Stuttgart, the psychological layer is also important. The club beat Arminia Bielefeld 4-2 in the 2025 final and won the fourth DFB Pokal in its history. Now it has the chance to defend the trophy, which is especially demanding in a knockout competition. Sebastian Hoeneß leads a team that does not have to present itself as an outsider without experience: Stuttgart know what a Berlin evening looks like, know how to handle the pressure of a final and have forwards who have already decided big matches.
Road to the final
Bayern reached Berlin with a 2-0 win away at Bayer Leverkusen in the semi-final. Harry Kane scored for the lead in the first half, and Luis Díaz confirmed progression in stoppage time. That is an important detail for reading the final: Bayern did not reach the final only through superiority in possession, but also through the ability to close a match when the opponent remains alive until the very end.
Stuttgart extended their road to the 119th minute of the semi-final against SC Freiburg. Deniz Undav equalised after Freiburg had taken the lead, and Tiago Tomás scored for 2-1 in extra time. Such a victory often leaves a mark in the dressing room: the team receives confirmation that it can withstand nerves, blows and pressure, but also the awareness that in the final against Bayern it must not chase the result for too long.
- Bayern in the semi-final: Bayer Leverkusen - Bayern Munich 0-2.
- Scorers for Bayern in the semi-final: Harry Kane and Luis Díaz.
- Stuttgart in the semi-final: VfB Stuttgart - SC Freiburg 2-1 after extra time.
- Scorers for Stuttgart in the semi-final: Deniz Undav and Tiago Tomás.
- The final is played at the Olympiastadion in Berlin, where the men's DFB Pokal final has been held since 1985.
Bayern Munich - strength, form and players who change the rhythm
Bayern have shown depth throughout the season that few in Germany can match. In the run-in, Kompany has an attack in which Harry Kane remains the central point, not only as a scorer but also as a player who drops to receive balls, opens space for the wingers and ties up centre-backs. Alongside him, Michael Olise and Luis Díaz are especially important because Bayern can attack both through combinations in the half-spaces and through direct breakthroughs down the flanks.
Jamal Musiala is an additional topic of the final. After a serious injury and a long break, his rhythm is not entirely easy to assess, but his very presence changes the way the opponent defends the centre. When he receives the ball between the lines, Stuttgart must choose between a centre-back stepping out and the midfield line dropping. In both cases, space opens for Kane or for runs from the wings.
In their final league rhythm before the final, Bayern also had a hard-fought 1-0 win away at Wolfsburg, with a goal from Olise. That result was not a dazzling performance, but for the final the more important conclusion is this: the team was able to survive a match in which not everything went smoothly. In a knockout match, that is often worth as much as wins by a large margin.
Regarding absences, the biggest confirmed problem is Alphonso Davies. According to reports after his hamstring injury, he should miss the rest of the club season. That changes Bayern's left flank because Davies normally provides depth with his acceleration both in the attacking phase and when tracking back. Serge Gnabry is also listed among the injured ahead of the final, while Kim Min-jae and Leon Goretzka, after problems against Wolfsburg, according to available reports avoided a more serious injury and are expected to remain in contention.
VfB Stuttgart - the trophy holder with a plan
Stuttgart are not coming to Berlin only to wait for Bayern's mistake. Hoeneß's team have been near the top of the Bundesliga this season, with enough offensive quality to punish every open space. Deniz Undav is key because he can finish a move, but also attack the zone between centre-back and full-back. When Stuttgart win the second ball, Undav often gives the attack its first direction.
Ermedin Demirović brings physical strength and work off the ball. For Stuttgart, it will be important not to leave Bayern's centre-backs in calm build-up play. If Stuttgart press too high without support from midfield, Bayern will find Olise, Musiala or Díaz in space. If they drop too deep, Kane will receive too many balls around the penalty area. That is why Stuttgart are expected to choose their pressing moments, especially after balls are played back toward Bayern's defensive line.
Angelo Stiller and Atakan Karazor can be Stuttgart's axis of the match. Their task will not be only a duel game against Bayern's midfielders, but also the first forward pass. Stuttgart must avoid long periods in which they only clear the ball. If they manage to connect two or three passes after winning possession, the final can open in a direction that does not suit Bayern.
Among the players to monitor for availability at Stuttgart are Ameen Al-Dakhil, Justin Diehl and Lazar Jovanović. Ahead of the final, such information should be taken as part of the wider picture, because the status of injured players can change up to match day. What is certain, however, is that Stuttgart's plan must not depend on one player: against Bayern they need compact lines, discipline in transition and maximum concentration at set pieces.
Tactical picture of the final
Bayern will probably want to take possession and force Stuttgart to defend for longer intervals. The key will be the speed of ball circulation. If Bayern play too slowly, Stuttgart can close the centre and defend the penalty area with enough players. If Bayern speed up switches of play, Stuttgart's full-backs will be constantly forced to make decisions under pressure.
For Stuttgart, the first match within the match is the one without the ball. They must determine how high they can step out on Kimmich, Pavlović or the centre-backs. A press that is too high carries risk because Bayern have enough technical quality to bypass it. A block that is too low brings another problem: Kane is one of the best forwards when the game is played around the penalty area, and Olise and Díaz like one-on-one isolations.
- Bayern's advantage: greater squad depth, Kane as a constant threat and wingers who can decide one duel.
- Stuttgart's advantage: continuity under Hoeneß, experience of winning the cup and dangerous transition.
- Match zone: the space behind Stuttgart's full-backs if Bayern quickly switch sides.
- Risk for Bayern: lost balls in midfield, where Stuttgart can immediately look for Undav or Demirović.
- Risk for Stuttgart: set pieces and the second wave of attack, especially if the defence drops too deep.
Finals are often decided by a detail that cannot be seen in previews: who reacts better after a loose ball, who closes the back post first, who commits a foul more intelligently before a counterattack. Bayern have the higher individual ceiling, but Stuttgart have enough matches under pressure not to enter overawed. Seats in the stands are disappearing quickly, and fans who want to be part of this match should expect demand to rise as the day of the final approaches.
Head-to-head context
Bayern and Stuttgart have already met this season in matches that provide clear notes for the final. Bayern beat Stuttgart 2-1 in August in the Franz Beckenbauer Supercup, and in December they won 5-0 against Stuttgart in the Bundesliga. In April, Bayern won again, this time 4-2, but that result was not the same type of message: Stuttgart showed they could score goals and stay alive in a match against the new champions.
For Stuttgart, that is important because they must not play the final under the burden of the December defeat. A cup match on neutral ground has a different rhythm. One early goal, one save by the goalkeeper or one set piece can change the mood of the stands. Bayern, meanwhile, know the opponent must not be allowed into an emotional wave. If they take the lead, they will try to keep the ball for a long time and force Stuttgart to spend energy in the press.
Olympiastadion - a grand backdrop with concrete arrival rules
Olympiastadion Berlin holds around 74,475 spectators and is one of the most recognisable football stages in Germany. The DFB Pokal final has been played there since 1985, and the contract has been extended so that Berlin remains the host of the final at least until 2030. That gives the stadium a special status: it is not only a neutral venue, but part of the identity of the competition.
The stadium is located at Olympischer Platz 3, in the western part of Berlin. For fans from Munich and Stuttgart, that means a journey that is more than just the match itself. Berlin offers a wide choice of accommodation, but on final day traffic around the stadium becomes heavy, and the best plan is to arrive earlier and not rely on the last possible train or taxi. Ticket sales for this match are ongoing, and fans planning the trip should coordinate tickets, transport and accommodation without waiting for the final week.
- Stadium address: Olympiastadion, Olympischer Platz 3, Berlin.
- Capacity: around 74,475 seats.
- S-Bahn: lines S3 and S9 run to Olympiastadion station.
- U-Bahn: line U2 leads to Olympia-Stadion station.
- Bus: lines M49 and 218 stop at Flatowallee, not far from the stadium.
The stadium organiser recommends public transport for major event days. That is practical advice, not a formality. There are parking areas around the Olympiastadion, but on final day approaches are closed, redirected or filled earlier than fans expect. Anyone arriving by car should plan extra time for entering Berlin, parking and walking to the sector.
What fans can expect in Berlin
Bayern will have a large number of fans coming to Berlin with the expectation of a trophy. Stuttgart will arrive with a different energy: trophy holders, the fan euphoria from the previous final and the feeling that in one match even the team that looked strongest throughout the league can be brought down. Because of that, the atmosphere will not be neutral in a calm sense. The stadium is neutral, but the stands will be sharply divided.
For a fan travelling to the match, the most important thing is not to build the plan around minimum time. The final attracts people who arrive hours before kick-off, and the area around the stadium fills much earlier. It is good to know the entrance, sector and nearest public transport station in advance. Berlin is a large city, and a short distance on a map does not always mean a quick arrival when tens of thousands of people are heading to the same location.
It is worth securing tickets in time, especially if travelling in a group. For matches like this, the problem is not only finding a place in the stadium, but linking seats, accommodation and the return after the match. After the final ends, the stations near the Olympiastadion will be the most burdened, so it is smart to count on waiting and a slower exit from the stadium ring.
Practical rhythm of match day
Since kick-off is at 20:00, a fan day in Berlin can easily turn into an all-day stay around the city and stadium. The best rhythm is arriving in Berlin early enough, storing luggage before going to the stadium and heading toward the Olympiastadion without rushing. For an evening slot, it is especially important to plan the return, because after the match crowds form not only at the stadium exits but also on the platforms.
If the gates open several hours before kick-off, which is common for events this large, earlier entry makes sense: it is easier to find the sector, avoid the biggest wave of checks and feel the atmosphere before the warm-up. This should not be understood as an obligation, but as a practical advantage. A fan arriving in the final half-hour before kick-off takes the risk of being held up by a crowd at the security check.
- Arrive in the wider stadium area earlier, especially if you are going to the Olympiastadion for the first time.
- Check the sector and entrance before departure, because walking around the stadium can take time.
- Public transport is a safer choice than a car on final day.
- For the return after the match, count on crowds at S-Bahn and U-Bahn stations.
- For groups of fans, agree on a meeting point outside the densest stadium ring.
Why this match carries additional weight
Bayern enter the final clearly marked as favourites. That comes from the league, squad depth and individual quality. But Stuttgart have the profile of an opponent who can make the final uncomfortable: they know how to play vertically, have forwards who seek space behind the line and do not arrive without experience of winning. If Stuttgart survive the opening pressure and make Bayern nervous, the match can become much more open than the table suggests.
For Kompany, this is a chance to turn his first major domestic season into a double. For Hoeneß, it is a chance to confirm that Stuttgart are not just a nice story from the previous season, but a stable force at the top of German football. That is why the final will be more than a duel between Kane and Undav or Olise and Stuttgart's full-backs. It will be a clash of two ideas: Bayern's pressure through possession and Stuttgart's need to endure, pick the moment and punish space.
On the grass of the Olympiastadion, details will be brutally important. Bayern will seek control, Stuttgart a disruption of rhythm. Bayern will try to separate the match from emotion as quickly as possible, Stuttgart will try to do exactly the opposite - keep it in the zone of one goal, one counterattack and one decision. For a fan in the stands, that is the ideal final scenario: a match in which the favourite has more weapons, but the trophy holder has enough reasons to believe Berlin can once again be its city.
Sources:
- DFB Datencenter - the date of the final, venue and official match data for Bayern München - VfB Stuttgart were used.
- Olympiastadion Berlin - data on the stadium, arrival by public transport, address and the fact that the DFB Pokal final is played in Berlin were used.
- Bundesliga.com - the overview of the 2025/2026 DFB Pokal and confirmation of the final pairing Bayern Munich - VfB Stuttgart were used.
- FC Bayern - the report on the semi-final Bayer Leverkusen - Bayern Munich 0-2 and the scorers Harry Kane and Luis Díaz was used.
- VfB Stuttgart - the report on the semi-final VfB Stuttgart - SC Freiburg 2-1 after extra time, with scorers Deniz Undav and Tiago Tomás, was used.
- Bundesliga table and FootballProf - current data on the Bundesliga standings after 33 rounds were used.
- The Guardian, Transfermarkt and Sofascore - checks of player availability, injuries and coaching context ahead of the final were used.