Bayern Munich meet Borussia Dortmund in the top German Cup semi-final match on Wednesday. Borussia Moenchengladbach take on Eintracht Frankfurt in the first semi-final on Tuesday.
Berlin (dpa) – Bayern Munich are close to a fifth straight league title but the verdict on their first season under coach Carlo Ancelotti may well now depend on their progress in the German Cup.
Following last week’s elimination at the hands of Real Madrid in the Champions League, Bayern take on rivals Borussia Dortmund in the semi-finals of the domestic cup on Wednesday in a pivotal game for the Italian coach.
After only one win in their last six games – and the exit to Real followed by a 2-2 home draw in the Bundesliga with lowly Mainz – Bayern are badly in need of a win in their attempt for successive league and cup doubles.
Although the draw with Mainz was no big setback – Bayern now need two wins from their last four games to secure the league title for a 27th time – it was clear they had not shrugged off the effects of their Champions League loss in extra-time to Real.
That will have to change against a Dortmund side, who defeated Borussia Moenchengladbach 3-2 on Saturday, and are seeking to become the first team to reach the German Cup final in Berlin four seasons in a row.
«It’s good that we can move on quickly,» Bayern midfielder Thomas Mueller said after the draw with Mainz.
«We have to look forward, and we have a really important game on Wednesday. Berlin is our big aim along with the Bundesliga title.»
Bayern beat Dortmund 4-1 in the league on April 8 and have had recently a good record in the cup against their opponents: they have met in the past five seasons, with Bayern winning three times including last season’s final in a penalty shoot-out.
However Dortmund put Bayern out in a penalty shoot-out in the 2015 semi-finals and the beat them in the 2012 final – Bayern’s only losses in their last 33 cup games.
«In the Bundesliga game Bayern were clearly better but we all know the cup has its own rules and that we have also won a semi-final in Munich,» Dortmund midfielder Marco Reus said. «The chances are 50-50.»
Bayern’s injury concerns appeared to be lifting: defender Jerome Boateng, Javi Martinez and David Alaba are expected to be fit, with only keeper Manuel Neuer out – his season now over following a foot fracture. Dortmund have lost midfielder Nuri Sahin (ankle injury) but are hoping centre back Sokratis Papastathopolous can recover from a muscle strain.
The cup is also an opportunity for Borussia Moenchengladbach and Eintracht Frankfurt – who meet on Tuesday – to win some silverware after a long period in the title wilderness.
Since winning the cup in 1995 – the last of their three cup titles and last major trophy – Borussia have been eliminated three times at the semi-final stage.
Home advantage on Tuesday will give them a slight advantage over Frankfurt who on Saturday defeated Augsburg 3-1 to end a run of 10 league games without a victory.
«It’s been a long time since Gladbach last played a cup final, which is why everyone is looking forward to Tuesday’s game – including us players,» Gladbach midfielder Lars Stindl said.
Frankfurt won the trophy in 1974, 1975, 1981 and 1988 (the club’s last title), and reached the final in 2006 when they lost 1-0 to Bayern.
For coach Niko Kovac, it is «a very special wish» to get to the final on May 27 in Berlin, the city of his birth. Spirits have been lifted by the win over Augsburg.
«We are enjoying life again so that we can hopefully play well and reach the final,» he said.
