May 26, 1985. Bayer Uerdingen won the first DFB Cup final in Berlin, beating Bayern 2-1 in a sensational match. Fast forward to May 25, 2024, and Uerdingen’s former striker turned coach, Friedhelm Funkel, is back in the final as the trainer of second division side Lautern, facing off against Leverkusen and their coach Xabi Alonso. Despite Leverkusen being the clear favorites, Lautern’s Marlon Ritter remains optimistic, stating, “We’re not going there to be slaughtered, it’s a cup final after all.”
With Leverkusen aiming to bounce back from a disappointing 0-3 loss in the Europa League final against Atalanta Bergamo, Alonso is determined to end the season on a high note by clinching the club’s first-ever domestic double. However, Funkel, a calm and experienced leader, is ready to challenge the odds and possibly lead Lautern to their first cup victory since 1996. Both coaches have mutual respect for each other, with Funkel praising Alonso’s coaching skills and Alonso expressing gratitude for facing a coach with a rich footballing history.
For Funkel and Lautern, the final presents a chance to upset the odds and secure a memorable victory, while Leverkusen seeks to add another trophy to their cabinet. With Alonso and Funkel leading their respective teams, the clash promises to be an intriguing battle of tactics and determination. As both sides gear up for a showdown on Saturday, football fans around the world eagerly await to see if history will be made once again on the hallowed grounds of the DFB-Pokal final.
