SV Wehen Wiesbaden vs Bayern Munich Lineups – DFB-Pokal 2025 Overview

The SV Wehen Wiesbaden vs Bayern Munich lineups were confirmed for their exciting 2025-26 DFB-Pokal first-round clash at the BRITA-Arena on 27 August 2025. In a classic David-versus-Goliath matchup, the third-division hosts took on German giants Bayern Munich, with both teams fielding competitive starting XIs for the German Cup tie that eventually finished 2-3 in Bayern’s favour.

SV Wehen Wiesbaden Starting Lineup

SV Wehen Wiesbaden set up with a balanced formation aiming to defend compactly and hit Bayern on transitions. Their starting XI was:

Formation: Approx. 4-4-2
Wehen Wiesbaden Lineup:

• Goalkeeper: Florian Stritzel

• Defenders: Sascha Mockenhaupt, Jordy Gillekens, Justin Janitzek, Niklas May

• Midfielders: Ryan Johansson, Donny Bogićević, Tarik Gözüsirin, Lukas Schleimer

• Forwards: Nikolas Agrafiotis, Fatih Kaya (captain)

Substitutes used: Milad Nejad (in for Johansson), Moritz Flotho (in for Agrafiotis), Ole Wohlers (in for Mockenhaupt), Jakob Lewald (for Kaya), Fabian Greilinger (in later stages).

Fatih Kaya was the standout performer for the hosts, scoring both goals in the match — including a quick brace to bring Wehen Wiesbaden level after Bayern’s early lead.

Bayern Munich Starting Lineup

Bayern Munich selected a strong but slightly rotated side for their German Cup tie, mixing experienced stars with squad players to manage fitness across competitions. Their starting XI was:

Formation: Approx. 4-2-3-1
Bayern Munich Lineup:

• Goalkeeper: Jonas Urbig

• Defenders: Sacha Boey, Kim Min-jae, Jonathan Tah, Raphaël Guerreiro

• Midfielders: Joshua Kimmich (captain), Aleksandar Pavlović

• Attacking Midfield / Wingers: Luis Díaz, Lennart Karl, Michael Olise

• Striker: Harry Kane

Substitutes used:

• Konrad Laimer (on for Boey)

• Josip Stanišić (on for Guerreiro)

• Leon Goretzka (on for Pavlović)

• Serge Gnabry (on for Karl)

Harry Kane led the line for Bayern, scoring twice — including the decisive injury-time winner after the match had swung back and forth.

Tactical Insights from the Lineups

Wehen Wiesbaden’s Setup

Wehen Wiesbaden’s lineup emphasized defensive solidity and counter-attacking potential. With two forwards up front, they looked to press and exploit space behind Bayern’s back four. The presence of experienced midfielder Ryan Johansson helped provide structure in the middle of the park.

The hosts’ goalkeeper Florian Stritzel stood out, making several key saves throughout the match and even stopping a second Bayern penalty before the decisive late goal.

Bayern Munich’s Approach

Bayern Munich’s lineup blended youth and experience, giving chances to emerging players like Lennart Karl and Aleksandar Pavlović while retaining proven performers like Joshua Kimmich, Luis Díaz, and Harry Kane.

Their formation focused on controlling possession and creating attacking opportunities through wide players and midfield creativity. Michael Olise’s goal early in the second half highlighted the effectiveness of this attack-focused setup.

Match Outcome and Lineup Impact

Despite Bayern Munich’s overall dominance in possession and chances, the SV Wehen Wiesbaden vs Bayern Munich lineups reflected a closely contested cup tie. Bayern took the lead through a first-half penalty converted by Harry Kane, followed by a composed finish from Michael Olise in the second half.

Wehen Wiesbaden’s response was fierce: captain Fatih Kaya scored twice within minutes to level the match, showcasing the attacking threat built into their starting XI.

In injury time, after Bayern missed another penalty earlier, Kane headed home the winner, illustrating the resilience and game-finishing quality present in Bayern’s lineup.

Why These Lineups Mattered

The SV Wehen Wiesbaden vs Bayern Munich lineups offered fans a glimpse into the contrasting strategies of a third-division underdog and a European powerhouse. Wehen Wiesbaden’s resilience and tactical organization pushed Bayern to a dramatic finish, highlighting both the unpredictability of cup football and the importance of team selection.

Conclusion

In their DFB-Pokal showdown, the lineups from SV Wehen Wiesbaden vs Bayern Munich demonstrated how tactical choices and individual performances can shape memorable matches. From Stritzel’s heroics in goal to Kane’s late winner, both sides showcased their strengths through their starting XIs.

For Bayern Munich, depth and talent ultimately secured a hard-fought victory, while Wehen Wiesbaden’s b