DFB Cup Final Game - Catch the Kaiserslautern vs Leverkusen match live on TV and online streams.
The DFB Cup final begins at 8 p.m. on Saturday at Berlin's Olympiastadion: For 1. FC Kaiserslautern, this match presents the chance to secure a title despite a mixed season and relegation from the second Bundesliga. This outcome has been absent from the club's history for many years. Meanwhile, Bayer Leverkusen can grab the double, making up for their unsuccessful pursuit of the treble. A win that the Werkself desperately seeks, given their disappointing defeat in the Europa League final to Atalanta Bergamo.
(source: https://www.bild.de/sport/fussball/bundesliga/dfl-cup-final-coaches-friedhelm-funkel-und-xabi-alonso-respekt-einander-112372064.bild.html)
Coaches show respect before the DFB Cup match
This game also marks the confrontation of two fascinating coaches hailing from different eras: When Friedhelm Funkel, now 70, first appeared in the DFB Cup final as a player in May 1981, Xabi Alonso, the 42-year-old Basque, hadn't even been born. Both coaches have their own unique styles and career paths. Funkel was a diligent goal-scoring forward as a player, while Alonso excelled as a midfield strategist. Funkel won one title during his professional career—the first cup final when his team was transferred to Berlin in 1985 and defeated Bayer Uerdingen in a surprising win as underdogs. Although he has yet to secure a title as a coach, he has managed to promote six teams to the Bundesliga. Alonso has 18 trophies on his resume as a player, including World Cup, European Championship, and Champions League titles. As a coach, he led Leverkusen to their first championship victory in his first full season.
Despite their contrasting styles and career paths, these coaches hold high respect for each other. Alonso acknowledged, "It's always an honor for me to play against a coach with an impressive background in soccer. I admire these great personalities and have the chance to learn from them."
Funkel additionally confessed his admiration for his rival coach. "He is quite genuine, he's simply a good coach. His experience, his charisma—the way he deals with people is amazing, fantastic." Funkel had already endorsed Leverkusen as champions in December when he remarked, "At the time, I was considered a pensioner. I was allowed to frequently visit the BayArena in the first half of the season, and it was truly remarkable to witness the way this team played football."
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Source: www.stern.de
