Match Preview: Borussia Dortmund Travel to Take on Borussia Monchengladbach in the Cup

The Rose Derby certainly has a nice ring to it, and with the winner of Tuesday’s match being rewarded with a place in the semi final of the DFB Pokal, this should be a tasty tie. There is no reason for either team to sit back so I expect a very open, attacking match. Borussia Dortmund head into this mid-week clash firing on all cylinders again, having won three straight matches in all competitions. Jadon Sancho and Erling Haaland have been on fire for months now, Raphael Guerreiro has been consistently good all season, and now Mahmoud Dahoud seems to be first choice in central midfield after stellar displays in the past three matches. Dahoud will be heading back to his old stomping grounds, Borussia-Park and I expect that he will keep his place in the team yet again. Here is how I see Edin Terzic lining up:

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Thomas Delaney was out over the weekend with a fever, but if he is fully recovered he should go straight back into the starting lineup. If Delaney cannot go, then expect Jude Bellingham to keep his place, and Dahoud will have to the holding role just in front of the back four. With Manuel Akanji still out injured, and Dan-Axel Zagadou having just returned, Emre Can should continue at center back with Mats Hummels. And why shouldn’t he? Clean sheets have been the norm with Can partnering Hummels over the last two league matches. Thomas Meunier could come in for Mateu Morey, but the young Spaniard has been bright over the last few matches and Terzic should keep rewarding the youngster, with an eye to bring experience for the weekend match instead. Axel Witsel and Marcel Schmelzer remain out with long term injuries.

In attack I do not expect to see many changes, but Brandt should get another chance as Giovanni Reyna drops out. The United States International was bullied against Arminia Bielefeld, and his body language suggests he still needs a break. Thorgan Hazard and Reinier Jesus looked lively after coming on this past weekend, the latter scoring after 22 seconds. Terzic should be slow to integrate Toto into the team given his injuries this season, and while I would love to see Reinier finally start a match for BVB, Terzic has given zero impression that this is a possibility.

Photo by Ralf Treese/DeFodi Images via Getty Images

Things are not looking so rosy for Die Fohlen. Winless in their last five matches, the news of manager Marco Rose heading to Dortmund after the season has left Borussia Monchengladbach in a state of disarray, which has manifested itself on the pitch. Gladbach took a 2-0 lead over RB Leipzig at the Red Bull Arena over the weekend, only to sit back for the second half and get picked apart by Die Roten Bullen, and lose 3-2 in stoppage time. A win over Dortmund would go a long way to soothing their supporters, players, and the board alike. Without a major trophy since 1995, the Foals would certainly fancy their chances of lifting the DFB Cup should they progress past BVB.

Stefan Lainer suffered a hamstring injury recently and should remain out, as should Mamadou Doucoure, Torben Musel, and Famana Quizera. Marco Rose switched to a back three over the weekend without his star right back, but I expect him to change back to a 4-2-3-1 formation on Tuesday. Rose opted for the back three last time Gladbach faced Dortmund, but down 2-1 at halftime with Haaland destroying the back line, the German tactician changed it at the break and his side ran out 4-2 winners. Here is how I see Borussia Monchengladbach lining up:

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Jordan Beyer got his first start over the weekend in the back three, but I expect that to change. Valentino Lazaro is capable of playing as a full back on the right with Ramy Bensebaini taking his spot back on the left, replacing Oscar Wendt. Breel Embolo, Florian Neuhaus, and Christoph Kramer were all on the bench against Leipzig, presumably to start this match with fresh legs, so expect to see all of them in the starting XI as well. Jonas Hoffman, Marcus Thuram, Matthias Ginter, Nico Elvedi, Yann Sommer, and club captain Lars Stindl will all keep their places for this match.

Prediction

This is a match between two clubs moving opposite directions right now and while Borussia Monchengladbach desperately need a win, I do not think they are going to get it here. Dortmund are in excellent form with Dahoud in midfield, and Can playing in defense. The attack is as strong as ever with Erling Haaland leading the line and Jadon Sancho doing Jadon Sancho things, and as a result, BVB will be too much to handle for the Fohlenelf.

Your Thoughts

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