On their way to evergreen! The two most successful German clubs of recent years will meet in the DFB Pokal for an incredible sixth successive season later this evening (20:45 CEST). Bayern München host Borussia Dortmund in a repeat of last year’s final and it’s a game that we’ve almost come to expect in the latter rounds of the DFB Pokal.
With the 3-0 win over Schalke, Bayern reached a record eighth consecutive DFB Pokal semi-final. The last time that Bayern failed to reach the last four was back in 2009 when they were beaten 4-2 by Bayer Leverkusen in the quarterfinals. Borussia Dortmund have an impressive cup record themselves and have reached the last four for a fourth consecutive season. In the last three seasons, Dortmund have made it to the final, however, no team has ever made it to four DFB Pokal finals in a row in the competition’s history.
Five meetings and lots of drama
The last of Dortmund’s three DFB Pokal triumphs came in 2012, when they beat Bayern 5-2 in the final. BVB won the double that season under the guidance of head coach Jürgen Klopp. Nine and a half months later, however, Bayern got their revenge, as a goal from Arjen Robben knocked Dortmund out as Munich went on to lift the trophy in Berlin. The two clubs met again in the final in 2014 and again there was drama. Robben and Thomas Müller did for Dortmund in extra time as Bayern lifted the trophy once more.
Another memorable clash between the two German heavyweights came in 2015. Philipp Lahm, Xabi Alonso, Mario Götze and Manuel Neuer all missed penalties as Dortmund progressed in a titanic battle at the Allianz Arena, only to eventually lose to Wolfsburg in the final. Last season the sides met once again in the final in Berlin, with Bayern winning on penalties after a 0-0 draw.
Munich strong at home
In five of nine DFB Pokal meetings between the sides the outcome has been decided after the allotted 90 minutes, with three of these clashes going to penalties. Bayern are unbeaten in 27 DFB Pokal matches that have ended at 90 minutes. During this time, Dortmund have only failed to score in one of their 16 DFB Pokal matches – in last season’s final. In addition, Dortmund have only conceded five goals in their last 23 away DFB Pokal matches and have never conceded more than one goal in any of these 23 games.
Bayern, however, usually score at the Allianz. In last Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Mainz in the Bundesliga, Bayern scored for the 50th home match running. They have only won one of their last four league games, however, and that solitary win was against Dortmund two weeks ago, 4-1 at the Allianz. “On Wednesday, we’ll go again,” said Arjen Robben and Thomas Müller added, “Berlin is our main aim along with winning the league title. We’re focused on that. We’ll keep our heads up.” Bayern thrashed Dortmund 5-1 in the league meeting at the Allianz last season.
On their way to evergreen! The two most successful German clubs of recent years will meet in the DFB Pokal for an incredible sixth successive season later this evening (20:45 CEST). Bayern München host Borussia Dortmund in a repeat of last year’s final and it’s a game that we’ve almost come to expect in the latter rounds of the DFB Pokal.
With the 3-0 win over Schalke, Bayern reached a record eighth consecutive DFB Pokal semi-final. The last time that Bayern failed to reach the last four was back in 2009 when they were beaten 4-2 by Bayer Leverkusen in the quarterfinals. Borussia Dortmund have an impressive cup record themselves and have reached the last four for a fourth consecutive season. In the last three seasons, Dortmund have made it to the final, however, no team has ever made it to four DFB Pokal finals in a row in the competition’s history.
Five meetings and lots of drama
The last of Dortmund’s three DFB Pokal triumphs came in 2012, when they beat Bayern 5-2 in the final. BVB won the double that season under the guidance of head coach Jürgen Klopp. Nine and a half months later, however, Bayern got their revenge, as a goal from Arjen Robben knocked Dortmund out as Munich went on to lift the trophy in Berlin. The two clubs met again in the final in 2014 and again there was drama. Robben and Thomas Müller did for Dortmund in extra time as Bayern lifted the trophy once more.
Another memorable clash between the two German heavyweights came in 2015. Philipp Lahm, Xabi Alonso, Mario Götze and Manuel Neuer all missed penalties as Dortmund progressed in a titanic battle at the Allianz Arena, only to eventually lose to Wolfsburg in the final. Last season the sides met once again in the final in Berlin, with Bayern winning on penalties after a 0-0 draw.
Munich strong at home
In five of nine DFB Pokal meetings between the sides the outcome has been decided after the allotted 90 minutes, with three of these clashes going to penalties. Bayern are unbeaten in 27 DFB Pokal matches that have ended at 90 minutes. During this time, Dortmund have only failed to score in one of their 16 DFB Pokal matches – in last season’s final. In addition, Dortmund have only conceded five goals in their last 23 away DFB Pokal matches and have never conceded more than one goal in any of these 23 games.
Bayern, however, usually score at the Allianz. In last Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Mainz in the Bundesliga, Bayern scored for the 50th home match running. They have only won one of their last four league games, however, and that solitary win was against Dortmund two weeks ago, 4-1 at the Allianz. “On Wednesday, we’ll go again,” said Arjen Robben and Thomas Müller added, “Berlin is our main aim along with winning the league title. We’re focused on that. We’ll keep our heads up.” Bayern thrashed Dortmund 5-1 in the league meeting at the Allianz last season.
This will be Bayern’s fourth consecutive DFB Pokal match in front of their own fans. Carlo Ancelotti’s side have beaten Augsburg (3-1), Wolfsburg (1-0) and Schalke (3-0) en route to the semi-final. The Bundesliga leaders are unbeaten at home domestically since the 2-1 defeat to Mainz on 2nd March 2016. Dortmund have only won five of their 16 away matches so far this season, but they did win their last match on the road 3-2 in Mönchengladbach last Saturday. “The victory gives us momentum und self-belief for Wednesday,” said Dortmund’s sporting director Michael Zorc.
Dortmund’s last shot at a trophy
There is a lot riding on the so-called "German Clásico" tonight for Dortmund as the DFB Pokal provides their last chance of a trophy this season. The Bundesliga title is now beyond the side from the Ruhr and they crashed out of the Champions League at the quarterfinal stage in Monaco last week. Bayern also went out of Europe last week, losing to Real Madrid, however, they are on the brink of winning another Bundesliga title.
Munich will have to do without goalkeeper Manuel Neuer for the remainder of this season after he fractured a metatarsal in his left foot. There is also a question mark over the fitness of David Alaba, who picked up a knee injury at the weekend. Dortmund will be without Marc Bartra (arm), World Cup winners Mario Götze (stomach) and André Schürrle (ankle) and probably also Nuri Sahin, who was forced off during last Saturday’s win over Mönchengladbach with an ankle injury. Sokratis (muscular problems) could also be missing for Dortmund in Munich.
