DFB Pokal provided some fireworks of both types as the Bundesliga reloads for another weekend of action.
Bayern Munich faced Borussia Dortmund in the Pokal for the seventh consecutive cup campaign. It seemed like deja vu would happen but a quick second half comeback saw Dortmund through to the final in Berlin.
Borussia Dortmund opened up the scoring but after that moment it seemed destined that Bayern would go through. The Bavarian’s were dominating BVB and took a deserved 2-1 lead into the half. THEN they let up. Osmane Dembele assisted in the equalizer and scored the winner. Dembele took advantage of Munich coming out a bit too easy and once down they were unable to flip the switch back on.
This let up issue stands out as one problem that has been there underlying with Munich at times this season. During the normal Bundesliga campaign they may be able to put down most challengers, but at the bigger stage have been revealed to not be able to get the win when needed. Hoffenheim earned four out of six points against them. Dormund beat Munich earlier this season. A Relegation threatened Mainz nearly won a few days prior. The signs of inconsistency are there but only to be brought to light on the big stage.
Eintracht Frankfurt entered last weekend without a win in 10 Bundesliga matches. A tough 3-1 win at the weekend gave some momentum and it held through in the penalty shootout thriller against Borussia Monchengladbach.
Borussia has nothing to be ashamed of. Frankfurt came out firing on all cylinders and if not for an amazing goal at the end of the half all momentum would’ve been going Frankfurt’s way. Instead BMG had a grip on the rest of the match but was unable to find an additional goal.
For Frankfurt without key goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky this would not have been possible. Saving two penalties in a row to set the club up for their first Pokal final since 2006. Major question is, will Frankfurt defy the odds again and win their first Pokal since 1988 or will it go to Dortmund for the second time in six years?
Matches of the Week
Bayer Leverkusen has been lingering in suspended animation for some time since being knocked out of Europe. While teams have collected points around them they have really only mustered a 0-0 draw with Bayern Munich. A quick glimpse at the table now shows that Bayer is not without concern for the relegation race. Chicharito and company need to figure something out soon or the scare will be real.
In years past Leverkusen vs Schalke had strong Europe implications. Suddenly both could be without European football and neither could afford a long absence. If the Royal Blues are to show any signs of recovery it needs to start with a victory over Leverkusen or be ready for a league only champaign next season.
Borussia Dortmund is in the Pokal final after a big top end battle with Munich for the honor. For the Bundesliga there is only securing either second or third to ensure making next seasons Champions League group phase and avoiding the tricky qualifier. Against a difficult Koln side that needs to happen.
For FC Koln European qualification has always been seen as the next step in the club evolution. Going from survival of relegation to mid table safety that would be a progressive step. At one point this club was in the top four, but reliance on Anthony Modeste comes at a cost. In the ruckrunde the club has dropped random points and currently finds itself in eighth. The Billy Goats would like to plan for more investment with Europe on the horizon but have a little bit of ground to make up, and against BVB that could be tricky on the road.
Who would have thought that after firing Viktor Skrypnyk and being on the ropes with Alexander Nori, that staying the course would pay off? Werder Bremen are in seventh. As recent as match day 21 they were in the relegation playoff of 16th. They have earned 26 points in their last 10 matches. That is a title winning sort of run they are currently on. Now they are two points from a spot in the Europa League. Question only is who will stop them?
Hertha Berlin is a sort of Jekyll and Hyde. They are flawless at home. But on the road they drop them at a scary rate. If this bad form on the road was only moderately fixed this club wouldn’t just be seeking passage into the Europa League group phase, but the Champions League group phase. With recent reinvestment this club is ready for the next step, but will only do so by consolidating their position of fifth with points at the hottest team in Europe.
Who doesn’t like a relegation six pointer? HSV was not expected to lose to Darmstadt at home, which they did. Augsburg looked like they would get the full points at Frankfurt only to concede three times in the final 25 minutes. HSV are on 33 points but are tied with two other clubs at 15th spot. Augsburg is in the relegation playoff on 32 points. Any goal will tip the balance one way or the other in this do or die match that could determine the future of American Bobby Wood.
Bundesliga on FOX Schedule
In the second to last Friday match its a mid table mashup. Bayer Leverkusen hosting Schalke 04 on Fox Sports 2.
Saturday has a strong slate of matches. Borussia Dortmund host FC Koln on FS2 while RB Leipzig hosts FC Ingolstadt on Fox Soccer Plus for the early matches. Traditional topspiel pits relegation threatened Wolfsburg hosting Bayern Munich on FS2.
Sunday has table fights all around. First on Fox Sports 1 the relegation six pointer between HSV and FC Augsburg. This followed by the European fight between Hoffenheim and Eintracht Frankfurt on FS2.
