Bayern Munich begin their DFB-Pokal campaign on Wednesday evening when they square off against third-tier side Viktoria Koln.
At a time when Bayern sit at the top of the Bundesliga standings, the home side occupy eighth spot in 3. Bundesliga table.
Match preview
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Many eyebrows were raised when Bayern Munich were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Borussia Monchengladbach at the weekend, particularly with the home side requiring an equaliser during the closing stages.
However, those circumstances arose from the brilliance of visiting goalkeeper Yann Sommer, who made a record-breaking 19 saves at the Allianz Arena.
Head coach Julian Nagelsmann would have been frustrated with the share of the spoils, but it will at least ensure that his team do not become complacent as they look to establish more dominance in the top flight.
As many as nine players have chipped in with their 16 league goals this campaign, none of the squad contributing more than three, and that will be regarded as a positive by Nagelsmann with his players stepping up in the absence of Robert Lewandowski.
Bayern have failed to win this competition over the past two seasons and there will be a desire to get their hands on the trophy for the 21st time.
That, and Bayern being held to a draw at the weekend, does not play into the favour of Viktoria Koln, who know that the odds are stacked against them when it comes to keeping the scoreline respectable.
They are no strangers to pushing Bundesliga opposition close on home territory with RB Leipzig and Hoffenheim overcoming scares in 2018 and 2021 to win 3-1 and 3-2 respectively.
Nevertheless, Olaf Janssen will be realistic about the challenge which awaits his players, especially after failing to win either of their last two games in the third tier.
However, Viktoria only sit three points adrift of third position at this stage of the season, something which will satisfy Janssen after the club only finished in 13th spot in 2021-22.
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Team News
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With a trip to Union Berlin to come on Saturday, Nagelsmann will make sweeping changes to his Bayern XI with the likes of Matthijs de Ligt and Ryan Gravenberch being drafted into the team.
Leon Goretzka and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting are both struggling with injury, potentially resulting in Marcel Sabitzer retaining his place in midfield and a chance being provided to young striker Gabriel Vidovic.
Fellow teenager Mathys Tel is already in line to start in the attack with the 17-year-old being given 35 minutes from the substitutes' bench in the Bundesliga.
Barring any injury issues, Janssen may opt to select the same team which started the 1-1 draw with 1860 Munich last time out.
Andre Becker, Jeremias Lorch and Luca Marseiler are all expected to miss out through injury.
Viktoria Koln possible starting lineup:
Voll; Koronkiewicz, Stehle, Greger, May; Sontheimer, Saghiri; Risse, Siebert, Handle; Meissner
Bayern Munich possible starting lineup:
Ulreich; Mazraoui, Stanisic, De Ligt, Sarr; Gravenberch, Sabitzer; Gnabry, Musiala; Tel, Vidovic
We say: Viktoria Koln 0-5 Bayern Munich
Viktoria will treat this experience for what it is, trying to enjoying the occasion while attempting to avoid a humiliating defeat. While the first target may be achievable, the latter is less likely as we expect a much-changed Bayern side to cruise to victory.
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