German football’s spotlight shifts to the national Cup semifinals this week. The action kicks off with Bundesliga champion Bayern Munich facing Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday evening. Bayern, fresh from clinching their 35th league title, aims for a treble, while Leverkusen eyes a shot at silverware this season. Leverkusen, under coach Kasper Hjulmand, seeks a pivotal win over Bayern to turn their inconsistent season around. Meanwhile, Cup holder VfB Stuttgart takes on SC Freiburg, who made it to the Europa League semifinals in 2026, in a regional clash on Thursday.
Freiburg, coached by Sebastian Hoeness, looks to defend their Cup title, while Stuttgart faces a tough challenge at home. Freiburg’s success in Europe and league performance could secure them a spot in European competition. Winning the Europa League would propel Freiburg into the next season’s Champions League group stage. Bayern and Stuttgart are considered favorites, but surprises are not uncommon in the German Cup, known for its unpredictability since 1952.
Bayern Munich recently staged a remarkable comeback against Freiburg, overcoming a two-goal deficit to win 3-2 away. Despite missing Harry Kane due to injury, Bayern dominated possession early on. Freiburg, however, posed threats with Philipp Treu’s attempts. Freiburg’s aggressive play paid off after the break, with Johan Manzambi and Lucas Holer scoring. Freiburg’s pressing game troubled Bayern, leading to a tense match that ended with a dramatic victory for the Bundesliga leaders.
