Where to watch live Union Berlin vs Bayern in the German Cup and confirmed match lineup By Jeronimo Santos
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Union Berlin and Bayern Munich will compete this Wednesday, December 3, 2025, in the round of 16 of the DFB Pokal, the Copa of the The game starts at 4:45 pm at Brasília time, equivalent to 8:45 pm local time, in a single match that can go to penalties in the event of a draw, without extra time. Bayern, current leader of
The clash marks the teams’ first meeting in the history of DFB Pokal, although they have faced each other 14 times in Bundesliga, with nine wins for Bayern, five draws and none for Union. Recentemente, in November, Union held a 2-2 at home against Bayern, breaking the Bavarian unbeaten run for the season.
- Union Berlin is coming off a 2-1 defeat to Heidenheim in the last game of Bundesliga, on November 29th.
- Bayern beat St. Pauli 2-1 in stoppage time, also on November 29, after a stumble at Champions League.
Lineups confirmed for the duel
The teams release their starting lineups hours before kickoff, confirmed by coaches Steffen Baumgart, from Union Berlin, and Vincent Kompany, from Bayern. Union adopts a 3-4-2-1 formation, focusing on solid defense and quick counterattacks. Frederik Rønnow defends the goal, followed by the line of three defenders Danilho Doekhi, Leopold Querfeld and Diogo Leite.
Chris Trimmel plays at right back, with Aljoscha Kemlein and Rani Khedira in midfield, supported by András Schäfer and Derrick Köhn on the wings. In attack, Jeong Woo-yeong and Janik Haberer create plays for center forward Ilyas Ansah, 21 years old, who scored in the last game.
Bayern responds with the classic 4-2-3-1, prioritizing ball possession and quick transitions. Manuel Neuer returns to goal after suspension in Pokal, protected by Konrad Laimer, Jonathan Tah, Dayot Upamecano and Josip Stanišić in defense.
Joshua Kimmich and Aleksandar Pavlović anchor the midfield, with Michael Olise, Lennart Karl and Díaz, a 28-year-old Colombian, has scored 12 goals this season, while Kane is looking to break records in the competition.
History and recent form of the teams
Bayern dominates the direct confrontation, but Union showed resilience in the recent draw. Nos last five games of Union Berlin, the record includes two wins, two draws and one defeat, with just two goals scored in total.
- 2-1 victory over Stuttgart (Bundesliga, August).
- 0-0 draw with Hamburger SV (Bundesliga, September).
- 2-0 defeat to Bayer Leverkusen (Bundesliga, October).
- 3-0 victory over Luckenwalde (friendly).
- 2-1 defeat to Heidenheim (Bundesliga, November).
Bayern is in an overwhelming form, with four wins and a draw in the last five matches, scoring 18 goals. The Bavarian team has won 16 of its last 17 games in all competitions.
- 5-0 victory over Hamburger SV (Bundesliga, September).
- 4-1 victory over Hoffenheim (Bundesliga, September).
- 2-2 draw with Union Berlin (Bundesliga, November).
- 3-1 victory over Chelsea (Champions League, September).
- 2-1 victory over St. Pauli (Bundesliga, November).
These numbers reinforce Bayern’s favoritism, but Union exploits the home factor, where they lost only once in the season.
Weather conditions and arbitration
The weather forecast in Berlim for this Wednesday indicates temperatures between 4°C and -2°C, with winds of 10 to 20 km/h and a low chance of precipitation. The typical December cold can influence the pace, favoring a more physical game with less prolonged possession.
Matthias Jollenbeck referees the duel, with an average of 0.18 cards per game this season, which suggests lenient refereeing. Ele has taken charge of three DFB Pokal matches this year, with no expulsions recorded.
The stadium An or alten Ingressos sold out quickly, with prices between 20 and 50 euros.
Featured players and curiosities
Harry Kane, Bayern’s top scorer with 15 goals this season, faces Danilho Doekhi, Union’s defender who scored two goals in the previous draw. Luis Díaz, from Bayern, stands out with speed and assists, while Ilyas Ansah represents the new generation of Union.
Bayern is looking for its 21st DFB Pokal title, an absolute record, after eliminating Köln 4-1 in the previous phase. Union advanced with 5-0 over Gutersloh and victory on penalties over Arminia Bielefeld.
- Referee Jollenbeck has a rate of 4 cards per game in Bundesliga.
- Stadium An der alten Försterei is known for its noisy fans, nicknamed the “Amarelo Wall of Berlim”.
- Both teams prioritize Pokal, with minimal roster rotation.
Where to watch live and predictions
The live broadcast takes place on ESPN 2 for closed TV and on Disney+ for streaming, with narration starting at 4:30 pm. Fãs and Brasil can be accessed for free via the Disney+ app, with multiple camera and replay options.
Predictions point to Bayern winning 2-1, considering recent form and history. Especialistas predict goals from Kane and Díaz, with Union relying on counterattacks. Apostas on both scores have odds of 1.93.
The winner advances to the quarterfinals, with a draw in January 2026.
