Borussia Dortmund vs Holstein Kiel: DFB-Pokal semi-final Preview and Team News
By Tushar Bahl
A trip to the Olympiastadion will be on the line this weekend, as Borussia Dortmund and Holstein Kiel battle it out in the DFB-Pokal semi-finals.
The draw for the DFB-Pokal semi-finals delivered a fascinating David vs Goliath match-up that will see Borussia Dortmund go up against second division side Holstein Kiel. The Storks are making their first Pokal semi-finals appearance since 1941 (when it was known as the Tschammerpokal). While the Black and Yellows will be playing in their first Pokal semi-final since 2017, when they won the competition.
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Borussia Dortmund
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Borussia Dortmund have won each of their last four games in the Bundesliga, and managed to claw their way back into the top four race last weekend with a 2-0 win over Wolfsburg. Still, it has been a disappointing campaign so far for the Black and Yellows. And they will be looking to win the DFB-Pokal to somewhat salvage their season.
Borussia Dortmund are undoubtedly the favourites going into the game. But beating Holstein Kiel will certainly not be a cakewalk, as so many teams have already found out this season.
Holstein Kiel
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Holstein Kiel produced the shock of the season by defeating Bayern Munich in the second round of the DFB-Pokal. They are also enjoying an impressive season in the 2. Bundesliga, and are very much in the promotion picture. However, their season has been affected by two COVID-19 outbreaks at the club.
Holstein Kiel have only played five times since defeating RW Essen in the DFB-Pokal quarter-finals on March 03. And they have two or three games in hand on their promotion rivals. So it will be interesting to see just how much of a priority they give to the DFB-Pokal, considering their packed schedule going into the final three weeks of the season. But anything can happen in the DFB-Pokal, and Holstein Kiel will certainly believe that they can pull off an upset.