Does Harry Kane play today? Where to watch Union Berlin vs Bayern in the German Cup By Jeronimo Santos
4 min read
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Union Berlin and Bayern from Munique face each other this Wednesday, December 3, 2025, in the round of 16 of the DFB The game takes place at 4:45 pm at Brasília time, equivalent to 8:45 pm local time, in an eliminatory match that defines advancement in the national knockout stage. Bayern, leader of Bundesliga with 11 wins in 12 games and 44 goals scored, seeks to break a five-year drought without a cup title, while Union Berlin, in 11th place with 15 points, is betting on the strength of the fans to surprise their rival.
The teams meet again less than a month after a 2-2 draw at Bundesliga in November, when Union led until the final minutes. The match attracts attention as it is the first clash between the clubs in the history of the DFB Pokal, with Bayern undefeated in the round of 16 for two decades. Técnicos Steffen Baumgart, from Union, and Vincent Kompany, from Bayern, prioritize cautious rotations due to the tight schedule.
- Union Berlin: 2 wins, 2 draws and 1 loss in the last five games.
- Bayern de Munique: 4 wins and 1 draw, with 14 goals scored in the period.
Probable lineups and absences
Union Berlin should enter the field with a 3-4-2-1 formation, prioritizing defensive solidity at home. Frederik Rønnow in goal, followed by Danilho Doekhi, Leopold Querfeld and Diogo Leite in defense. In the middle, Rani Khedira and András Schäfer anchor the marking, with Chris Trimmel on the right side. In attack, Janik Haberer and Ilyas Ansah support the center forward Andrej Ilic. Desfalques include Ukrainian Bogdanov, German Markgraf and Danish Skov, all for muscle and leg injuries.
Bayern plays 4-2-3-1, with Manuel Neuer in goal and a defensive line made up of Josip Stanišić, Jonathan Tah, Dayot Upamecano and Konrad Laimer. Joshua Kimmich and Aleksandar Pavlović control the midfield, while Michael Olise, Leon Goretzka and Luis Díaz create for Harry Kane up front. Sem suspensions, Kompany spares some holders to avoid fatigue but keeps the core strong. Dois players not listed due to minor injuries, no details disclosed.
These lineups reflect the adjustments after the last games: Union beat Arminia Bielefeld 2-1 in extra time in the previous cup, while Bayern beat FC Köln 4-1.
Match history and recent form
In 13 meetings for the Bundesliga, the Bayern dominates with eight wins and five draws, without defeats to the Union. The most common scoreline is 2-0 for the Bavarians, but the last two games in Berlim have ended in draws, including November’s 2-2. Essa recent sequence shows the Union more competitive at home, with an average of 1.3 goals per match in duels.
Union’s form in their last five games includes wins over Arminia Bielefeld (2-1) and Stuttgart (2-1), draws with Hamburger SV (0-0) and Bayern (2-2), and defeat to Bayer Leverkusen (0-2). The team scores 1.2 goals per game on average, but suffers from defensive weaknesses, conceding frequent chances.
Bayern arrives undefeated in five matches, with victories such as 5-0 over Hamburger SV and 4-1 over Hoffenheim, in addition to 3-1 against Chelsea in Champions. Harry Kane leads with decisive goals, and the attack records 3.6 goals per duel in Bundesliga. The team has not lost in the round of 16 of the DFB Pokal for 20 years, with six direct advances.
Where to watch live and refereeing
The live broadcast takes place on ESPN 2 and Disney+ for the Brazilian public, with online streaming options via the ESPN app. Internacionalmente, platforms like beIN Sports cover the game in multiple countries, ensuring real-time access. Fãs can add the event to their calendar for automatic reminders.
Referee Matthias Jollenbeck referees the match, with a low average number of cards: 0.18 yellow cards per game. Ele played in balanced Bundesliga duels this year, issuing four cards on average per match. Assistentes and VAR complete the team, focusing on dead ball plays, common in clashes between these teams.
Tickets for An der Alten Försterei, with a capacity for 22 thousand fans, sold out quickly, prioritizing members of Union. Preços ranged from 20 to 50 euros, with the visiting sector limited to 2 thousand Bavarians.
Climatic conditions and curiosities
Berlin records temperatures between 4°C and -1°C this Wednesday, with winds of 10 to 20 km/h and the possibility of light rain, conditions that favor a more physical game. The stadium’s pitch, renovated in 2023, resists the winter cold well, with no reports of problems.
Curiosities mark the duel: it is the first in the DFB Pokal between the rivals, and Union has never beaten Bayern in 13 official games. The An der Alten Försterei, home of the Union since 1926, is known for its intense atmosphere, with fans creating the “Berlim wall” of chants. In the Bavarian attack, Harry Kane is looking for his 15th goal in the cup, a recent record.
- Bayern: 44 goals in 12 Bundesliga games, best attack in the league.
- Union: Avançou in the cup eliminating Gütersloh (5-0) and Bielefeld (2-1 in extra time).
Predictions point to Bayern winning 2-1, with both teams scoring, given the average number of goals in H2H. Odds favors the visitors by 1.27 for victory.
