Match Preview: Borussia Dortmund vs KFC Uerdingen

Fresh after winning the DFL Supercup, Borussia Dortmund will be aiming to keep the momentum flowing as they face third division side KFC Uerdingen in the first round of the DFB Pokal.

Location: Merkur Spiel-Arena, Düsseldorf

Date: 9/8/2019

Kick-off: 8:45pm CEST/2:45pm EST

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Borussia Dortmund

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Borussia Dortmund are in fine form heading into the game. Lucien Favre’s side tasted victories in all six of their pre-season friendlies, and followed it up by dispatching Bayern Munich rather comfortably to win the DFL Supercup last weekend. The attacking players have started the campaign just like they finished the last, while the defense also looks much more organised and disciplined. Four of the five new signings missed the Suerpcup, but Mats Hummels and Thorgan Hazard are fit and ready to feature against Uerdingen.

Borussia Dortmund’s impressive strength in depth is likely to give Lucien Favre plenty of selection headaches this season, and it will be interesting to see what line-up he puts out for the Uerdingen tie. Cup ties are a great way to give game-time to youngsters and fringe players, but the timing of the first round means that Dortmund will likely play their first choice XI, so that the players can be match fit and ready for the start of the upcoming Bundesliga campaign.

KFC Uerdingen

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With one win, two draws and one loss in their first four games, KFC Uerdingen currently lie 12th in Liga 3. Led by former FC Basel manager Heiko Vogel, Uerdingen are an ambitious side with several former Bundesliga players in their ranks. Former Dortmund man Kevin Großkreutz plies his trade there, as does Bayern Munich loanee Franck Evina. Former Bayern and Schalke midfielder Jan Kirchhoff could also feature as Uerdingen look to upset their illustrious opponents.

Team News

Mats Hummels and Thorgan Hazard should return for Borussia Dortmund, but Roman Burki and Julian Brandt are unlikely to feature. Mateu Morey remains out with a long term injury, while Maximilian Philipp, Shinji Kagawa and Omer Toprak are also set to miss out as they negotiate their potential transfers.

Uerdingen will be without Stefan Aigner (hip), former Cologne defender Dominic Maroh (rib) as well as Dennis Daube (MCL).

Previous Match: Borussia Dortmund 5-0 KFC Uerdingen

The last time these two teams met was all the way back in May 1996, when Uerdingen were in the Bundesliga. Borussia Dortmund won the match 5-0, en route to winning the Bundesliga title. Goals from Jürgen Kohler, Jörg Heinrich, Stefan Reuter (x2) and Michael Zorc gave the Black and Yellows a comfortable win against an already relegated Uerdingen side.

In total, the two sides have faced off on 32 occasions, with Borussia Dortmund winning 20 times and Uerdingen tasting victory 8 times.

Expected Lineups

Borussia Dortmund: Hitz –  Piszczek, Hummels, Akanji, Schulz – Witsel, Weigl – Sancho, Reus, Guerreiro – Alcacer

KFC Uerdingen: Königshöfer – Großkreutz, Lukimya, Maxso, Dorda – Mbom – Barry, Gündüz, Rodriguez, Plücke – Evina