- "Nothing is impossible" - Ulm feverishly faces Bayern
Second division promoted side SSV Ulm is eagerly awaiting its duel with football record champions FC Bayern Munich in the DFB Cup. "This is of course a huge game for us, not just for us as a team, but also for us as a club, for the city of Ulm, for the entire region, for our fans," said SSV coach Thomas Wörle ahead of the cup opener on Friday (20:45/ZDF and Sky). "We're really looking forward to it."
The former Bundesliga side SSV, which is playing in the second division for the first time in 23 years after being in lower leagues, is the "absolute underdog" against Bayern, according to Wörle. However, the club wants to give a "real cup fight" in front of 17,400 spectators at the sold-out Donaustadion. Under certain circumstances, "a tiny cup chance could become a bit bigger." "Nothing is impossible, and we'll fight for it."
Wörle knows the FC Bayern club very well personally. Before joining the then regional league side Ulm in 2021, he coached the Bayern women's team for nine years and won the German championship with them in 2015 and 2016. The 42-year-old expects the FCB to be highly motivated after being eliminated in the second round of the DFB Cup last season by third division side 1. FC Saarbrücken and with new coach Vincent Kompany.
The Ulmers know how to knock out a heavily favored Bundesliga side from the cup: On August 18, 2018, the then fourth division side beat title defender Eintracht Frankfurt 2:1.
The city of Ulm, where SSV Ulm hails from, is excited for the upcoming DFB Cup match against FC Bayern Munich. Prior to his tenure at SSV Ulm, coach Thomas Wörle led the Bayern women's team and helped them win the German championship in 2015 and 2016.
