Introduction
The Olympiastadion in Berlin is ready to host the grand finale of the DFB Pokal, the premier Cup competition of German Football. The fixture promises to be a mouthwatering clash as two of the top teams in German Football i.e., Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig are set to go head-to-head with each other to win the ultimate prize.
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Why Should You be Watching?
This fixture guarantees goals and some highest quality of football considering the quality of teams playing in it. The fact that it is a Cup Final makes it even more interesting and valuable. This is the only chance for both of the participating teams to win silverware this season. The winner also gets to face Bundesliga champs Bayern in the super cup next season. With stakes being sky high, fierce competition will be expected.
Build Up
Borussia Dortmund
The team from Dortmund is high on confidence after having beaten the same opponent last weekend in the Bundesliga. It was being called a rehearsal of the DFB Pokal final and the home team came out on top in that fixture. That win has also increased BVB’s chances of playing in the Champions League next season. The Black and Yellows will be heading into this game on the back of 5 back-to-back victories. Performing superbly without their main striker Erling Haaland shows that the team is in great shape.
Borussia Dortmund form: WWWWW
RB Leipzig
The current Bundesliga runners-up are going through a strange run of form. They have managed to win only two out of their last 5 games. Their morale must be a little down after last week’s result. They somehow managed to edge out Werder Bremen in the Semi-final. Unlike their opponents for the final, who thrashed Holstein Kiel in the semis. A positive for them is that they have their main players fit for this tie.
RB Leipzig form: LWWLD
Team News
Borussia Dortmund
Dortmund’s 1st choice keeper under coach Edin Terzic, Marwin Hitz will be a big doubt for the game. He had to be subbed off last weekend and replaced by Roman Bürki. Bürki is expected to start this game. Similarly, Erling Haaland’s presence in the starting lineup will also be a doubt. Though the Norwegian has traveled to Berlin with the team. Jude Bellingham is expected to start this game after having missed the weekend’s game due to suspension.
Predicted Lineup
Bürki
Piszczek, Akanji, Hummels, Guerreiro
Bellingham, Dahoud
Reyna, Reus, Sancho
Hazard
RB Leipzig
They should be starting with their best XI with no injuries creeping into their side. Their main problem is going to be finding the net. No player has scored more than 7 goals for them this season. Marcel Sabitzer and Emil Forsberg need to be at their best if Leipzig wins this tie. Their defense hasn’t been at its best either. Dayot Upamecano, Lucas Klostermann, and Willy Orban will be expected to start at the back. While Mukiele also remains an option.
Predicted Lineup
Gulacsi
Orban, Upamecano, Klostermann
Kampl
Sabitzer, Olmo, Kluivert, Henrichs
Forsberg, Poulsen
Head-to-Head
These two teams have faced each other only 8 times as the team from Leipzig qualified for the Bundesliga for the first time in 2017. Borussia Dortmund completely dominates the head-to-head record with 5 wins, having drawn twice and losing once. Their recent performances against Leipzig have been very dominant and convincing.
Players to Watch Out For
Dortmund
Marco Reus
The Dortmund skipper is in great scoring form. He also managed to find the net during BVB’s clash against Leipzig last weekend. Reus will be a key asset for his team and will be expected to both score and create goals. He also has the experience of playing at this stage as he played and won this title back in 2017. His experience could add a lot to the team.
Jadon Sancho
The English youngster has made an instant impact after coming back from injury. He scored a brace in the last game, which includes the 88th minute winner. No doubt he’ll be looking forward to creating more havoc for the opponent defenders when he steps out on the pitch in Berlin.
RB Leipzig
Emil Forsberg
The Swede has been the top scorer for his team along with Marcel Sabitzer. He’ll be having a lot of responsibility on his shoulders. He will be expected to lead the forward line for Leipzig along with Youssuf Poulsen, who didn’t play at the weekend. Which further increases Forsberg’s value and importance.
Dani Olmo
The young Spanish midfielder has been an important part of this Leipzig team ever since joining them. He knows how to score in important games and is also a good passer of the ball. He is expected to deliver a good performance again, after having scored against the same opposition less than a week ago.
Conclusion
Like every final, this one too is expected to be a close one. There will be some really good attacking talent on display but we expect this game to be decided by a solo goal. Borussia Dortmund will surely go into this game as favorites but RB Leipzig have all the required ingredients to give them a run for their money and spoil their party.
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