Bayern Munich face Stuttgart in the DFB-Pokal final hoping to end a six-year wait for the trophy and complete another historic domestic double.
Bayern Munich head into Saturday’s DFB-Pokal final against Stuttgart determined to avoid ending an otherwise outstanding season on a disappointing note.
For much of the campaign, Bayern looked capable of winning a treble after reclaiming domestic dominance and impressing in Europe. Their memorable Champions League quarter-final victory over Real Madrid had raised hopes of another historic season.
However, Bayern’s European dream ended painfully in the semi-finals against Paris Saint-Germain. Despite pushing the French champions across two thrilling matches, the German giants narrowly lost the tie on aggregate.
Domestically, Bayern have been dominant throughout the season. They finished 16 points clear at the top of the Bundesliga ahead of Borussia Dortmund and shattered the league’s single-season scoring record by netting 122 goals in 34 matches.
The Bavarian club also became the first team in Bundesliga history to average more than three goals per game across an entire season. Bayern have suffered just three defeats in all competitions, highlighting the consistency they have shown under pressure.
Despite those achievements, winning the league title alone is rarely considered enough at Bayern given the club’s standards and financial strength. Saturday’s final represents an opportunity to complete the domestic double and finally end a surprisingly long wait for DFB-Pokal success.
📌 𝗡𝗘𝗫𝗧 𝗨𝗣: Cup final in Berlin 👊
ONE LAST PUSH. TIME TO BRING IT HOME! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/GZ4MqfodIE
— FC Bayern (@FCBayernEN) May 20, 2026
Bayern remain the most successful club in German Cup history with 20 titles, but they have not lifted the trophy since 2020. During that drought, they suffered several embarrassing exits, including a shocking 5-0 defeat to Borussia Mönchengladbach in 2021-22 — their heaviest loss in any competition since the 1970s.
Club chief executive Jan-Christian Dreesen admitted the trophy drought has become painful for everyone connected to Bayern, while Harry Kane also acknowledged that losing the final would leave a bitter taste despite another Bundesliga triumph. Victory on Saturday would secure Bayern’s 14th domestic double, a feat unmatched in German football history.
Standing in their way are defending champions Stuttgart, who have enjoyed a remarkable rise under coach Sebastian Hoeneß. Once battling relegation, Stuttgart have now become one of Germany’s most competitive teams and are aiming to spoil Bayern’s celebrations. Striker Deniz Undav insisted his side have nothing to lose in the final, describing Bayern as the clear favourites while embracing the underdog role ahead of the showdown.
