Clash of the German giants

NEW Borussia Dortmund coach Peter Stoeger has his sights set on glory as his team prepare for a heavyweight round of 16 German Cup tie clash with Bayern Munich tonight.

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.

“I don’t know how many chances I will get to reach a cup final,” the Austrian said.

With Bayern and Dortmund facing each other so early on, the winner will surely be the favourite to go on and win the cup.

Having overcome title rivals RB Leipzig in the last round, favourites Bayern will face a 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 since 2012.

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,” Dortmund defender Sokratis said.

“They will be favourites, but everything is possible in one game.”

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 arrival.

Yet Bayern insist that they are not going to underestimate their rivals.

“We must assume that we have an extremely difficult game ahead of us,” defender Joshua Kimmich said. “It is a highlight, and we have to win it.” Both sides are struggling with injury problems, with several key players set to miss out.

Arjen Robben, Thiago and Manuel Neuer are still sidelined for Bayern, while Dortmund will be without Marco Reus, Mario Goetze, Maximilian Philipp and Gonzalo Castro.

While Goetze will miss out on a chance to visit his former club, former Dortmund players Robert Lewandowski and Mats Hummels are expected to start for Bayern.

“Games between Bayern and Dortmund are simply brilliant,” Hummels said.

“You always get nervous in the build-up. It is without doubt the biggest game in German football.” – AFP