Hi Steemunity,
In the first semi-final of the DFB Cup on Tuesday evening, Bayer 04 Leverkusen want to put a foot on the overpowering FC Bayern Munich and enter the final for the fourth time in their club's history. The German record champion, on the other hand, wants to take the next step towards the triple dream.
We can expect that:
Bayer 04 sports director Rudi Völler explained in the run-up to the match: "We are playing against one of the best teams in Europe. But we're going to put up a big fight with the Bavarians." Heiko Herrlich pushed the same horn. "Everything really has to be right for us tomorrow to get ahead. If we have a chance at the front, then we have to use it ice-cold," the coach emphasized.
Jupp Heynckes looks forward to the duel on the Rhine with anticipation. "Two teams meet to play cultivated, creative football. This will be a delicacy for football fans", the veteran is sure on the bench of the record champion. "Leverkusen is in very good shape, they play excellent football and are highly talented, have a good mix of young and experienced players. This will be a very difficult task," the trainer warns his team.
Nevertheless - the Munich camp is dominated by confidence, especially in view of the strong performance of the company itself. "The latest results make me optimistic that we still have great things ahead of us. That looked like a very high level of football art," explained Heynckes, who emphasised: "We are well prepared. All players are highly motivated and in top form." All ready for an exciting game!
That's how it goes for the teams:
Leverkusen are on the fast lane in the league despite occasional setbacks. In the return rounds table the Herrlich team is third as well as in the real tableau, four of the last six league games could be won. Most recently, Bayer overtook their rivals from Leipzig and Frankfurt 4-1 and underpinned their reputation as one, if not the most dangerous counter-attacking team in the league.
Especially the offensive around goal scorer Kevin Volland is in really good shape - the Bavarians should be warned. Leverkusen will do everything in their power to reach the final in Berlin for the fourth time in the club's history.
At the same time, the record champion will compete with a lot of self-confidence. In the league, the Munich-based team underpinned their own dominance despite already bagged championship when Borussia Mönchengladbach were shot 5-1 from their home arena.
They also made it into the semi-finals in the Champions League and now want to make the first step into the big dream with the final in the DFB Cup - the repetition of the historic triple of 2013.
The expected constellations:
Leverkusen: Leno - L. Bender, Tah, S. Bender, Henrichs - Baumgartlinger, Aranguiz - Bailey, Havertz, Brandt - Volland
Behind Jonathan Tah is a small question mark due to muscular problems - should he fail, Henrichs could move into the centre and defend Retsos left.
FC Bayern: Ulreich - Kimmich, Boateng, Hummels, Alaba - Javi Martínez - Seals, Müller, James, Ribéry - Lewandowski
Vidal (knee problems) and Tolisso (hematoma) as well as Coman (syndesmoseriss) and Neuer (in advanced training) are out at short notice. Otherwise Jupp Heynckes is spoilt for choice in terms of personnel.
