DFB Pokal Preview: Borussia Dortmund vs Union Berlin

Borussia Dortmund will be hosting 2. Bundesliga side Union Berlin in the second round of the DFB Pokal at the Westfalenstadion on Wednesday.

The Black and Yellows will be hoping to progress to the third round of the DFB Pokal after winning their first game against SpVgg Greuther Fürth in dramatic fashion. But despite being a Bundesliga 2 side FC Union Berlin are also undefeated this season and currently sit at third in the second division. With big games coming up in the next two weeks, Borussia Dortmund could rest a number of big players for the tie.

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Borussia Dortmund

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The league leaders are undefeated in all competitions but suffered a minor setback in their title aspirations after a draw against Hertha Berlin. Though a win seemed to be in Dortmund’s grasp, their missed chances came back to haunt them as Hertha equalised with a penalty in the 90th minute. Although they dropped, points the team know they still have the quality to dominate games and come out on top.

Youngster Jadon Sancho is in sublime form after scoring a brace at the weekend, which made him the club’s youngest player to do so. The return of Paco Alcacer will also make a big difference as not only is he the clubs top scorer but he is also one of the best finishers in Europe so far. In 4 appearances he has scored 7 goals with an average of 3 shots per game. This shows the Alcacer will play a key role in Dortmund’s upcoming games as poor finishing cost them from earning all 3 points over the weekend.

But it isn’t all good news for Dortmund as the team is facing some injury concerns in defense. The Black and Yellows will be without the likes of Akanji, Schmelzer, Delaney, and Lukasz Piszczek. Although Dahoud is a viable replacement for Delaney, Dortmund will have to play Omer Toprak who replaced Piszczek in the 92nd minute giving him his first appearance of the season. Although he hasn’t had a lot of game time he is still bringing experience to a very young defence. The switch will also allow Achraf Hakimi to play at right back.

Union Berlin

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The visitors are having a great season of their own. Union Berlin are also undefeated in all competitions this season. They are the best defensive side in Bundesliga 2, having only conceded 7 goals this season. Dortmund should know that if they get a chance they have to take it. There are plenty of names in the squad such as their top scorer Sebastien Anderssen, who is a big threat up front. Felix Kroos will try and control the midfield and try to exploit the wings.

Head coach Urs Fischer will also have a reunion with Lucien Favre from his time at FC Zurich when Fisher was the coach of the youth team. Union Berlin have played 13 away games out of 14 and progressed to the next round 6 of those times. But Dortmund have played 21 lower league teams in the competition and have only failed to progress once back in 2010. But Union Berlin could well and truly give Dortmund a run for their money and won’t be pushed over.

Last match: Borussia Dortmund 1-1 Union Berlin (BVB win 3-0 on penalties)

The last time these two sides met was in 2016 in the second round of the DFB Pokal. It was a very close game that could have gone either way but Dortmund eventually went through on penalties thanks to the heroics of Roman Weidenfeller who saved 2 penalties. Dortmund went on to win the competition with a 2-1 win over Frankfurt in the final.

Predicted lineups

Borussia Dortmund: (4-2-3-1)

Bürki – Hakimi, Toprak, Zagadou, Diallo – Weigl, Dahoud – Pulisic, Philipp, Larsen – Götze

Union Berlin: (4-3-3)

Gikiewicz – Trimmel (c), Friedrich, Hübner, Reichel – Schmiedebach – Prömel, Kroos – Gogia, Mees – Andersson

Despite being one of the best teams in Europe right Dortmund know that the DFB Pokal is a go hard or go home as one loss will send you crashing out of the tournament. So far the team has the ability to go all the way in the competition but Union Berlin have the ability to cause an upset. Let’s hope the club don’t struggle to another Berlin team.

Final Prediction: Borussia Dortmund 3-1 Union Berlin