The ultimate aim is Berlin, but FC Bayern have a big hurdle to overcome in Leipzig on the way to the final at the Olympic Stadium. In the standout tie of the DFB Cup second round, the record champions travel to RB Leipzig (live Ticker and Webradio commentary from 20:45 CEST) – the first of two meetings with the Saxony side in the space of four days and the beginning of two “tough weeks”, as Arjen Robben described. “We know what’s in store.”
“The games just keep coming. The cup is something different. If you don’t win, you’re out,” said Robben after the narrow 1-0 win at Hamburg on Saturday. After three wins in his first three games in charge, coach Jupp Heynckes is expecting the all-or-nothing contest with Leipzig to be a yardstick for his team, who have “got going again” with three wins on the bounce.
Heynckes calls for top performance
“It’s a special match between two of the top teams in the Bundesliga,” said Heynckes. “It’ll certainly be a dramatic, intense and also high-quality game with a lot to savour. We need to deliver a top performance if we’re to stay in the cup,” added the 72 year-old on Tuesday ahead of the final training session in Munich.
The record DFB Cup winners have great respect for Leipzig, who are third in the league following a winning run of their own. “Leipzig have a young and highly talented team with imagination. They’re certainly spurred on at the moment and they have the fans behind them. It’s important we don’t let ourselves be influenced by the atmosphere and keep our discipline,” demanded Heynckes.
Carry the momentum forward
“We know what Leipzig’s strengths are. There’s a lot of talent in the squad, and above all a lot of intensity, pace in attack and creativity,” said Robben, who recalls the “two great games” of last season when FCB won 3-0 at home and then 5-4 on the penultimate matchday. “The away game was obviously a spectacle,” described the winger, who scored the winner in injury time that day.
Sven Ulreich has called on the Reds to carry the momentum from the last week into the coming games. “It’s hotting up again between now and the international break, so we need full focus and concentration. We’ll approach the game in the same way, we want to dominate the game. We need to concentrate hard against a very good side. We want to be in the next round,” said Ulreich, who has not conceded any goals in the last three games.
But the hosts also want to progress to the next round. Coach Ralph Hasenhüttl is expecting a “really fierce cup night” in which all that matters is “winning, whether it’s during normal time, in extra-time or on penalties.” In terms of personnel, Leipzig are almost at full strength. Only Bruma (thigh) and Stefan Ilsanker (toe) are doubts. “Last season we were on the verge of beating them, perhaps we’ll manage it this time,” said RB captain Willi Orban.
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