How to Watch DFB-Pokal 1st Round : Free Live Stream & Kick-Off Time all in Preview

Venue: Bremer Brücke

Local Kick-off Time: Sep 2, 2026 7.45pm

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Click here to watch the match LIVE now! 🔴 ▶

VfL Osnabrück

Form & Defensive Fragility: Timo Schultz’s side enter this cup clash enduring a turbulent start to their 2. Bundesliga campaign, lingering in 14th place with just three points after losing two of their opening three league fixtures. Having spent the previous two campaigns battling in the third tier, adapting to higher-level intensity has proven challenging, particularly at the back, where the Purple and Whites have managed just one clean sheet in their last seven competitive outings.

Home Struggles & Cup Hoodoo: Home advantage at the Bremer Brücke has provided little comfort of late. Osnabrück are winless in their last two home encounters (conceding four goals and scoring just once) and have been restricted to one or fewer goals in three of their last four home games. A defeat on Wednesday would mark their third consecutive first-round elimination from the DFB-Pokal, while sealing a third straight loss in head-to-head meetings with Bayern.

Squad & Starting XI Outlook: While second-tier survival remains the club's overriding priority this season, the rare occasion of hosting Germany's biggest club means Schultz will field his strongest available lineup rather than rest key personnel. The defensive unit is set to be anchored by Robin Fabinski, Jannik Müller, and Niklas Wiemann, while Leonhard Münst is expected to lead the attack with dynamic support from Adrian Beck and Robin Meißner on the flanks.

Bayern Munich

Relentless Form & Away Dominance: Vincent Kompany’s side have launched their 2026–27 campaign in ruthless fashion, lifting the DFL-Supercup with a 2-1 victory over Borussia Dortmund before dismantling VfB Stuttgart 5-1 in their Bundesliga opener. The Bavarian juggernaut currently boast a formidable 20-match domestic unbeaten streak (17 wins) and an extraordinary 32-game unbeaten run on the road in domestic competitions, winning 26 of those fixtures and scoring three or more goals on 21 occasions.

Defending Champions with Caution: While Bayern enter the tournament as reigning champions having lifted the trophy in May, recent history counsels vigilance. Since the 2020–21 season, the Munich giants have experienced repeated early stumbles in the competition—suffering three second-round exits, one round-of-16 elimination, and one quarter-final heartbreak. Kompany will demand absolute focus to avoid any opening-round complacency.

Squad Rotation & Predicted Lineup: With a demanding schedule ahead, Kompany is expected to make wholesale alterations to the starting XI that dismantled Stuttgart. Jonas Urbig is almost certain to replace Manuel Neuer in goal, shielded by a central defensive partnership of Jonathan Tah and Hiroki Itō. In midfield, youngster Tom Bischof is pushing for a start alongside the composure of Aleksandar Pavlović, while Bara Sapoko Ndiaye provides depth from the bench. Further forward, Ismael Saibari, Lennart Karl, and Arijon Ibrahimović are tipped to feature in an overhauled, energetic front line.