It will be a clash between the Bundesliga heavyweights and two of the most innovative coaches in football. Bayern München will take on Borussia Dortmund in the 73rd DFB Cup final on Saturday (20:00 CEST). For years, the teams have been going head to head in the DFB Cup. – they met in 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 – this year will be the fifth years in a row with three of the encounters being in the final.
Former double-winners Dortmund triumphed in 2012, winning 5-2 in an exciting encounter. However in 2014 Bayern got their revenge thanks to goals from Arjen Robben and Thomas Müller in a 2-0 win after extra time. It was once again a monumental affair in the semi-finals last year when Dortmund won 2-0 in a penalty shootout in Munich. On that occasion, Pep Guardiola was standing on the touchline for Bayern, whereas for BVB this year will be Thomas Tuchel’s first experience of a big cup clash against Bayern. In a double interview with DFB.de, both Guardiola and Thomas Tuchel spoke about their regard for each other’s work, the meaning of the just concluded season, each others teams and the final.
DFB.de: Mr Guadiola, you recently named Thomas Tuchel as one of the best coaches in the world. What makes him so good?
Pep
Guardiola: Thomas lives football. He has a passion and a desire to know everything and to constantly improve. He is thinking about his team, the opposition and football in general 24 hours a day. That’s why I rate him so highly.
DFB.de: Did you know about his work with Mainz before you came into the Bundesliga?
Guardiola: I hadn’t really studied the Bundesliga as intensively as I have done in the past three years at that point. Obviously, I was astounded by what this “small” club, Mainz, had achieved. A lot of it was easily explained by the fact that Thomas Tuchel was behind a lot of that good work.
DFB.de: Did it surprise you how seamlessly Tuchel took over at BVB when Klopp left after seven years and how he has kept them at the top of the table?
Guardiola: Yes and no. No, as I know what an excellent coach Thomas is. Yes, because he influenced the way Borussia play so quickly. BVB have had a fantastic season.
DFB.de: Mr Tuchel, you had an interest in Pep Guardiola’s playing style when he was at Barcelona. What did you learn from watching his team?
Thomas Tuchel: It gave me a new view on the way that the game is played. The structured positional play, the rhythmic passing game, the giving and receiving of the ball and the brave and fluid defending from star players; those are the things that I noticed. You can learn everything about football by watching his teams play.
DFB.de: Why have you studied Guardiola so intensively? Is it only because of his success with Barcelona?
Tuchel: I have always followed Barcelona and have been a fan even since the days of Johan Cruyff. Just as they did traditionally, Pep proved that football can be played beautifully and successfully - perhaps it has to be.
DFB.de: You have also met off the pitch and got to know each other. Do you see similarities between yourselves personally and in your playing styles?
Tuchel: Every match against Pep is a massive challenge and every encounter with him is inspires me.
Guardiola: Thomas and I get along really well. We think similarly about football and have the same passion for the game.
DFB.de: Borussia have reached five big finals in five years: the Champions League final in 2013 and the DFB-Cup final the other four. However, BVB only managed to win the first one in 2012 against Bayern. Does this hold any relevance going into this match?
Tuchel: Not for me because I wasn’t in any of the finals you have mentioned – it does show that BVB are able to generate the energy necessary for a club to constantly make into finals.
DFB.de: Mr Guardiola, in Germany people say that the cup has its own rules and that unexpected things can happen. Is there a similar saying in Spain?
Guardiola: We have a different system in Spain, where you play home and away legs in every round. Therefore, the strongest team will always prevail. The second division and amateur teams have almost no chance. I like the way that the cup is played in Germany; it is more exciting and is often surprising.
DFB.de: Does this saying apply to the upcoming final between Bayern and Dortmund?
Tuchel: It does, because in football anything can happen in a match, whether it is in the league or the cup. You have to be ready for anything.
Guardiola: That’s how it is. We have both won difficult matches to make it into the final. For example, we had to beat defending champions Wolfsburg, while BVB had to beat Stuttgart and Hertha amongst others.
DFB.de: Mr Tuchel, until this year there was a lot of room for improvement in your DFB cup record. You had never made it past the quarterfinals with Mainz. Was it one of your aims when you came to Dortmund to make it to Berlin? Have you been at the final before to watch?
Tuchel: I went to watch the final once – I went to saw Dortmund’s 5-2 win over Bayern. At BVB we are expected to challenge for the title in every competition that we take part in, meaning that we were definitely expected to reach the final in Berlin. The club and the players both radiate the will to win.
DFB.de: You were in the Olympic stadium for the tournament semi-finals. The whole of the capital wanted to make it to the final but you stopped them. Was that one of those moments where you truly see what the cup means? Was it also a taste of the possible atmosphere you can expect on Saturday?
Tuchel: The semi-final against a euphoric Hertha was really special but our players thrive in those kinds of matches, when there is a special atmosphere and they are forced perform at their best. It was a dress rehearsal for us in Berlin first time round.
DFB.de: Mr Guardiola, how did you find the atmosphere when you won the final in 2014?
Guardiola: It was unbelievable. Hermann Gerland, my assistant coach, had been telling me all year about the amazing atmosphere you get at the final. When we were there I realised exactly what he was talking about. It was a fantastic experience for me, both teams and all of the football fans in Germany.
DFB.de: This will be your final competitive match in the dug-out for Bayern after three years at the club. Despite concentrating on preparing for the game, is there also a small amount of sadness?
Guardiola: Definitely a little bit. I have had three fantastic years in Germany. I have learnt a lot, worked at an outstanding club and got to know so many wonderful players and people. I will never forget the time I have spent here.
DFB.de: Dortmund have only really experienced one real disappointment this season, which was the dramatic exit from the Europa League in Liverpool. The team has put in a string of impressive performances in the league and cup since then, showing not only footballing quality but also emotional and physical stability. Are these things that will hold you in good stead for the clash in Berlin?
Tuchel: Yeah, the team reacted impressively to the loss, both with the way they evaluated themselves and in the results they recorded following it. Even now, I would argue that everything following that loss has made us more confident. We feel ready for the final.
DFB.de: Will Bayern’s experience in big matches where it is everything or nothing play a role or not?
Guardiola: It will be a contest between two teams who play at an equally high level. Experience is definitely one thing but the little things will be what decides the match.
Tuchel: Bayern are definitely the most demanding opponents we could have imagined to face in the final. However, we have enough players who know all about these kinds of matches and are looking forward to the challenge.
DFB.de: BVB have had their second best season in their history points wise. Will the way your season is perceived be down to the result in the final though?
Tuchel: Why should our outstanding Bundesliga season be defined by a possible cup final loss? However, if we were to win the cup final it would definitely cap off our season nicely.
DFB.de: Filling the trophy cabinet in Munich is also quite important?
Guardiola: At Bayern you always have to win. It is the same with any big football club. It will be what is expected of us. It is what makes the job so exciting, attractive and difficult.
DFB.de: Why will your team be lifting the title on Saturday?
Guardiola: I have a lot of respect for BVB. We will obviously try everything possible to get our hands on the trophy, but Borussia Dortmund will be doing the same. We will have to wait and see.
Tuchel: Although we are down-to-earth enough to recognise that anything can happen in a final, especially in a final against Bayern München, we are confident and well prepared. We are ready.
created by mmc/ma
It will be a clash between the Bundesliga heavyweights and two of the most innovative coaches in football. Bayern München will take on Borussia Dortmund in the 73rd DFB Cup final on Saturday (20:00 CEST). For years, the teams have been going head to head in the DFB Cup. – they met in 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 – this year will be the fifth years in a row with three of the encounters being in the final.
Former double-winners Dortmund triumphed in 2012, winning 5-2 in an exciting encounter. However in 2014 Bayern got their revenge thanks to goals from Arjen Robben and Thomas Müller in a 2-0 win after extra time. It was once again a monumental affair in the semi-finals last year when Dortmund won 2-0 in a penalty shootout in Munich. On that occasion, Pep Guardiola was standing on the touchline for Bayern, whereas for BVB this year will be Thomas Tuchel’s first experience of a big cup clash against Bayern. In a double interview with DFB.de, both Guardiola and Thomas Tuchel spoke about their regard for each other’s work, the meaning of the just concluded season, each others teams and the final.
DFB.de: Mr Guadiola, you recently named Thomas Tuchel as one of the best coaches in the world. What makes him so good?
Pep
Guardiola: Thomas lives football. He has a passion and a desire to know everything and to constantly improve. He is thinking about his team, the opposition and football in general 24 hours a day. That’s why I rate him so highly.
DFB.de: Did you know about his work with Mainz before you came into the Bundesliga?
Guardiola: I hadn’t really studied the Bundesliga as intensively as I have done in the past three years at that point. Obviously, I was astounded by what this “small” club, Mainz, had achieved. A lot of it was easily explained by the fact that Thomas Tuchel was behind a lot of that good work.
DFB.de: Did it surprise you how seamlessly Tuchel took over at BVB when Klopp left after seven years and how he has kept them at the top of the table?
Guardiola: Yes and no. No, as I know what an excellent coach Thomas is. Yes, because he influenced the way Borussia play so quickly. BVB have had a fantastic season.
DFB.de: Mr Tuchel, you had an interest in Pep Guardiola’s playing style when he was at Barcelona. What did you learn from watching his team?
Thomas Tuchel: It gave me a new view on the way that the game is played. The structured positional play, the rhythmic passing game, the giving and receiving of the ball and the brave and fluid defending from star players; those are the things that I noticed. You can learn everything about football by watching his teams play.
DFB.de: Why have you studied Guardiola so intensively? Is it only because of his success with Barcelona?
Tuchel: I have always followed Barcelona and have been a fan even since the days of Johan Cruyff. Just as they did traditionally, Pep proved that football can be played beautifully and successfully - perhaps it has to be.
DFB.de: You have also met off the pitch and got to know each other. Do you see similarities between yourselves personally and in your playing styles?
Tuchel: Every match against Pep is a massive challenge and every encounter with him is inspires me.
Guardiola: Thomas and I get along really well. We think similarly about football and have the same passion for the game.
DFB.de: Borussia have reached five big finals in five years: the Champions League final in 2013 and the DFB-Cup final the other four. However, BVB only managed to win the first one in 2012 against Bayern. Does this hold any relevance going into this match?
Tuchel: Not for me because I wasn’t in any of the finals you have mentioned – it does show that BVB are able to generate the energy necessary for a club to constantly make into finals.
DFB.de: Mr Guardiola, in Germany people say that the cup has its own rules and that unexpected things can happen. Is there a similar saying in Spain?
Guardiola: We have a different system in Spain, where you play home and away legs in every round. Therefore, the strongest team will always prevail. The second division and amateur teams have almost no chance. I like the way that the cup is played in Germany; it is more exciting and is often surprising.
DFB.de: Does this saying apply to the upcoming final between Bayern and Dortmund?
Tuchel: It does, because in football anything can happen in a match, whether it is in the league or the cup. You have to be ready for anything.
Guardiola: That’s how it is. We have both won difficult matches to make it into the final. For example, we had to beat defending champions Wolfsburg, while BVB had to beat Stuttgart and Hertha amongst others.
DFB.de: Mr Tuchel, until this year there was a lot of room for improvement in your DFB cup record. You had never made it past the quarterfinals with Mainz. Was it one of your aims when you came to Dortmund to make it to Berlin? Have you been at the final before to watch?
Tuchel: I went to watch the final once – I went to saw Dortmund’s 5-2 win over Bayern. At BVB we are expected to challenge for the title in every competition that we take part in, meaning that we were definitely expected to reach the final in Berlin. The club and the players both radiate the will to win.
DFB.de: You were in the Olympic stadium for the tournament semi-finals. The whole of the capital wanted to make it to the final but you stopped them. Was that one of those moments where you truly see what the cup means? Was it also a taste of the possible atmosphere you can expect on Saturday?
Tuchel: The semi-final against a euphoric Hertha was really special but our players thrive in those kinds of matches, when there is a special atmosphere and they are forced perform at their best. It was a dress rehearsal for us in Berlin first time round.
DFB.de: Mr Guardiola, how did you find the atmosphere when you won the final in 2014?
Guardiola: It was unbelievable. Hermann Gerland, my assistant coach, had been telling me all year about the amazing atmosphere you get at the final. When we were there I realised exactly what he was talking about. It was a fantastic experience for me, both teams and all of the football fans in Germany.
DFB.de: This will be your final competitive match in the dug-out for Bayern after three years at the club. Despite concentrating on preparing for the game, is there also a small amount of sadness?
Guardiola: Definitely a little bit. I have had three fantastic years in Germany. I have learnt a lot, worked at an outstanding club and got to know so many wonderful players and people. I will never forget the time I have spent here.
DFB.de: Dortmund have only really experienced one real disappointment this season, which was the dramatic exit from the Europa League in Liverpool. The team has put in a string of impressive performances in the league and cup since then, showing not only footballing quality but also emotional and physical stability. Are these things that will hold you in good stead for the clash in Berlin?
Tuchel: Yeah, the team reacted impressively to the loss, both with the way they evaluated themselves and in the results they recorded following it. Even now, I would argue that everything following that loss has made us more confident. We feel ready for the final.
DFB.de: Will Bayern’s experience in big matches where it is everything or nothing play a role or not?
Guardiola: It will be a contest between two teams who play at an equally high level. Experience is definitely one thing but the little things will be what decides the match.
Tuchel: Bayern are definitely the most demanding opponents we could have imagined to face in the final. However, we have enough players who know all about these kinds of matches and are looking forward to the challenge.
DFB.de: BVB have had their second best season in their history points wise. Will the way your season is perceived be down to the result in the final though?
Tuchel: Why should our outstanding Bundesliga season be defined by a possible cup final loss? However, if we were to win the cup final it would definitely cap off our season nicely.
DFB.de: Filling the trophy cabinet in Munich is also quite important?
Guardiola: At Bayern you always have to win. It is the same with any big football club. It will be what is expected of us. It is what makes the job so exciting, attractive and difficult.
DFB.de: Why will your team be lifting the title on Saturday?
Guardiola: I have a lot of respect for BVB. We will obviously try everything possible to get our hands on the trophy, but Borussia Dortmund will be doing the same. We will have to wait and see.
Tuchel: Although we are down-to-earth enough to recognise that anything can happen in a final, especially in a final against Bayern München, we are confident and well prepared. We are ready.
