1. FC Magdeburg Believes in an Upset Against Bayern

1. FC Magdeburg wants to make the most of its slim chance in the DFB Cup, even against FC Bayern. The team believes a upset is possible. “A lot of things have to fall into place for us to have a successful day there, but if you don’t believe in it, then there’s no point in even going,” said FCM coach Petrik Sander ahead of Wednesday’s match (8:45 p.m./ARD) against Germany’s record-holding cup champion. 

Not much can be inferred from their strong second-division season—with 16 points from nine games—because “this is a level of opponent we’re not used to facing in the second division,” Sander explained, referring to the quality of Munich’s star-studded squad. 

In addition to the long-term injured Lubambo Musonda (torn Achilles tendon), Moritz-Broni Kwarteng will also be unavailable; nevertheless, the team from Magdeburg plans to travel to Munich with the entire squad “to strengthen the sense of togetherness,” Sander announced.

FCM Has Already Pulled Off a Sensational Upset Against Bayern in the Cup

On November 1, 2000, 1. FC Magdeburg faced the record-holding German soccer champions from Munich in the second round of the cup. In a sensational upset, FCM knocked the defending champions out of the competition at home with a 5–3 victory in a penalty shootout. Sander admitted they hadn’t practiced penalty kicks: “You can’t practice that. We know who on our team can take penalties and who’d rather not.”

Regardless of the outcome of Wednesday’s match, FCM will not return to Magdeburg afterward but will instead head straight to their away game against SV Darmstadt 98 on Saturday (1:00 p.m.).