Bayern Munich face DFB Pokal round of 32 curse

Bayern Munich saw Bayer Leverkusen end their Bundesliga dominance last season by taking the title. After 11 consecutive years as Bundesliga champions, Tuchel's men bowed out. The Bavarian giants' dominance in Germany began to wane a few seasons ago, though not in the domestic championship, but in the cup. The Bavarians do not have good memories of this tournament in recent seasons. They have been knocked out in the last four editions. To make matters worse, on 3 of these occasions they have failed to make it past the round of 32, losing to teams from the lower tiers of German football.
After winning the trophy in 2020 with a 2-4 victory over Leverkusen, the Teutons have not lifted it again. Holstein Kiel, Borussia Mönchenglagbach, Freiburg and Saarbrücken have been their tormentors. In 2020-21, Holstein Kiel, who were in the second tier at the time, qualified against the Munich side on penalties after a 2-2 draw at the end of extra time. Bayern were knocked out in the round of 32. One season later, it was Monchengladbach who saw off the 'Die Roten' in the same round as the previous season. The defeat was a resounding 5-0 thrashing by Gladbach.
In 2022-23, Germany's most successful club ended its participation in the quarter-finals after being beaten by Freiburg. The score was 1-2 after a comeback by the Freiburgers with goals by Hofler and Holer. Finally, the toughest elimination. Last year, Thomas Tuchel's side were defeated by third tier side Saarbrucken. Thomas Muller's opening goal was cancelled out by goals from Sontheimer and Gaus, the latter in stoppage time. Bayern Munich will have to turn their poor run of form around if they are to win the DFB Pokal again. They begin their journey against second-tier Ulm and, should they go through, the fateful round of 32 awaits.