Bayern Munich to end Bayer Leverkusen DFB Pokal dream
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The DFB Pokal, or German Cup, heads into the semifinal round on Tuesday night. Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich will clash with third place Bayer Leverkusen in a match-up of German heavyweights. Bayern have already sealed the Bundesliga title and the German giants are on pace for a treble under outgoing manager Jupp Heynckes.
The semifinal match will take place in Leverkusen at the BayArena. Unfortunately for Bayer, their home ground hasn't been too kind to them this term. Bayer's away form has actually been what has helped the side in the points standing to this point.
Only 26 of 45 points have been won at home, which is good for seventh in the league. However, the side is coming off of a home, 4-1, win over Eintracht Frankfurt at the weekend. It was the perfect way to get ready for Bayern, who also won as the top side dispatched Borussia Monchengladbach, 5-1.
Bayer have not been in the DFB Pokal final since 2009, but the club's hopes of returning to Berlin in May will be boasted by some player returns. Lucas Alario will be available for selection and could be paired with striker Kevin Volland. The German forward scored an 18-minute hat-trick at the weekend and is in great form currently.
Bayer will be concerned with the rampant form of Bayern attacking midfielder James Rodriguez. Luckily the side will have centre-back Jonathan Tah back from a muscle injury that kept him out of weekend action.
Bayern manager Heynckes was able to rest seven players against Borussia at the weekend. He will now bring those stars back into the side against Bayer as Bayern are ready to unleash fury on the host team. One player that won't feature is Bayern central midfielder Arturo Vidal. The linchpin of the spine suffered an injury in training to his knee and Heynckes won't risk the Chilean with the Champions League semifinal kicking off next week.
The last time these two clubs met in the DFB Pokal was 2015 and Bayern went through on penalties. The league champions have already defeated Bayer twice this term, and in both meetings, won by 3-1 score lines. Bayer have only played in three DFB Pokal finals, losing twice and winning the 1993 edition of the cup. Winning trophies doesn't come often at Bayer, which is why the club has earned the nickname "Neverkusen".
Bayern have proven themselves unstoppable this term and the Germans will roll past Bayer on Tuesday night. Heynckes will keep the club on pace for yet another treble with a win in Leverkusen.
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