Bayern ready to face Dortmund
Berlin, Dec. 19: New Borussia Dortmund coach Peter Stoeger has his sights set on glory as his team prepares for a heavyweight round of 16 German Cup tie with Bayern Munich on Wednesday.
Cup holders Dortmund have won two games in two since Stoeger took over from Peter Bosz earlier this month, rediscovering their winning ways just in time to face Bayern in Munich this week.
Faced with his biggest test yet as Dortmund coach, Stoeger is allowing himself to dream of silverware, as Dortmund look to retain the German Cup.
“I don’t know how many chances I will get to reach a cup final,” the Austrian said.
There is a place in the quarter- final at stake on Wednesday, but with Bayern and Dortmund facing each other so early on, the winner will surely be the favourite to go on and win the German Cup.
Having overcome title rivals RB Leipzig in the last round, favourites Bayern will face yet another unusually tough test when they host Dortmund.
The two teams have met in the cup in each of the last six seasons, each winning three ties, and have contested three finals.
It is Dortmund who have had the upper hand recently, eliminating Bayern in the semifinal twice in the last three years.
“We have always played well against Bayern in the cup over the last few years,” said Dortmund defender Sokratis. “They will be favourites on Wednesday.”
Bayern won 3- 1 in Dortmund in a Bundesliga fixture last month, and the two teams have had conflicting fortunes in recent months. While Bayern have pulled 11 points clear at the top of the Bundesliga under Jupp Heynckes, Dortmund endured eight games without a win until Stoeger’s recent arrival. Bayern insist that they won’t underestimate their rivals.
“We must assume that we have an extremely difficult game ahead of us on Wednesday,” said defender Joshua Kimmich. — AFP