Pokal Match Preview: Dortmund look to keep Pokal defense alive against Magdeburg after run of bad results.

It’s Dortmund vs Magdeburg in the DFB Pokal today as we continue our Pokal title defense.

Things have not been going well recently for BVB, as we have failed to win a match in the month of October so far. With Peter Bosz maybe on the hot seat and us playing some very weak opposition, this will be a must win game for the Dutchman. For the first time since I started watching BVB, I believe that the manager will be sacked if he doesn’t win the next game.

The good news is that Bosz has said he is not rotating the side for this. Our Pokal defense means a lot, and even though Magdeburg are no Bayern Munich, we are going to need to bring everything we have to beat this slump. The BVB expected lineup, which is not always right, shows what is probably the best lineup we can possibly field.

It’s a great lineup with the exception of Castro of course, who has been awful for BVB this season. Toljan has also been quite bad for BVB but there aren’t many options for a replacement for him at the moment. Hopefully a front three of Yarmolenko, Phillip and Aubameyang should be able to rip apart Magdeburg. It should be noted that Magdeburg does have one of the best defensive record in the 3.Liga but that shouldn't stop one of Europeans elite strikers.

Our main concern should lie with the defensive side of the game as we have been absolutely miserable at the back. With Sokratis and Bartra playing together again hopefully things will return to what they were, but Toljan and not 100% Marcel are cause for worry. Bartra has also been playing too far up the field to get back in time on defense. While it is fun watching him create chances and even get some assists and a goal, we have other players that already do those things. Passing out the back is one thing, playing more forward then Auba is another.

Its a big match and Dortmund will have to overcome their form or face extreme humiliation. Should be fun right?!