Three wins until Europe! The DFB Cup could prove to be crucial for Borussia Dortmund in a season that has gone so differently to what was expected. They could take the next step towards achieving European football next season when they take on 1899 Hoffenheim tonight in their quarter-final, which kicks-off at 20:30 CEST. BVB will be looking forward to their first game at home in the cup this season.
Germany international Ilkay Gündogan, who returned to the Joachim Löw’s side for the friendly against Australia 14 days ago after a long time out through injury, explained in an interview with DFB.de why that and other things could be important. The Dortmund midfielder knows exactly what it takes to go all the way in the DFB Cup after lifting the trophy in Berlin back in 2012.
DFB.de: Mr Gündogan, you made cup history with BVB back on 20th March 2012 at the Trolli Arena – what does that piece of history mean to you?
Ilkay Gündogan: It’s a great memory. It was the semi-final against Greuther Fürth. I didn’t start the game but I was brought on just before the end of normal time. The game finished 0-0 so we went into extra-time and I scored in the final few seconds to put us in the final. And we all know how that went (5-2 win over Bayern München). It was a great time but currently we are only in the quarter-finals.
DFB.de: You’ll be up against a TSG Hoffenheim side who are strong going forward. Nia Künzer drew you at home, how important is that?
Gündogan: It’s quite important. Home games are always advantageous for us, especially in the DFB Cup. It’s a one off game and if it’s away then it’s even tougher. We’ve finally had a bit of luck in terms of being drawn at home but we have a tough opponent in front of us in Hoffenheim. They were here just before Christmas and we only won 1-0. We’d take the same result again but it’ll be hard work. Hoffenheim are a tricky opponent but I believe that anything is possible.
DFB.de: You’ve failed to score in four of your last five games in all competitions. What will you have to do on Tuesday in order to find the back of the net?
Gündogan: The most important thing is that we create chances going forward. There was definitely room for improvement in that sense in the past few games, especially the ones at home. We haven’t scored in our last three games and that’s obviously not what we wanted.
DFB.de: What are you expecting from Hoffenheim?
Gündogan: They have a lot less to lose in the DFB Cup than in the league. We can expect them to be even stronger than in our last meeting in December. We want to continue to be solid at the back, as we have been over the past few weeks, and be more effective going forward. We want to create as many good scoring chances as we can.
DFB.de: That sounds good but it could be tough. Even Bayern were defensive in Dortmund, so Hoffenheim could do the same and try and hit you on the break. Borussia Dortmund have problems against sides who sit back.
Gündogan: We find it hard against sides who sit back. Hoffenheim could have seen our game against Bayern. You could be also curious to see how they will set up. It could be the case that they will do something similar. However over the past few years, Hoffenheim have been known for their attacking quality and I can’t imagine that they will completely abandon that. The bottom line is that they have quality in their side.
DFB.de: Mr Gündogan, how would you like the game to pan out on Tuesday evening?
Gündogan: The best thing would be if we could settle the game in our favour as quickly as possible. We always find it easier when we go ahead early. However, I’m expecting an exciting and enticing game. Hoffenheim won’t make it easy for us. We want to get through to the semi-finals so I would also take penalties and everything else that can happen in a cup game. The main thing is that Borussia Dortmund reach the semi-finals of the DFB Cup.
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Three wins until Europe! The DFB Cup could prove to be crucial for Borussia Dortmund in a season that has gone so differently to what was expected. They could take the next step towards achieving European football next season when they take on 1899 Hoffenheim tonight in their quarter-final, which kicks-off at 20:30 CEST. BVB will be looking forward to their first game at home in the cup this season.
Germany international Ilkay Gündogan, who returned to the Joachim Löw’s side for the friendly against Australia 14 days ago after a long time out through injury, explained in an interview with DFB.de why that and other things could be important. The Dortmund midfielder knows exactly what it takes to go all the way in the DFB Cup after lifting the trophy in Berlin back in 2012.
DFB.de: Mr Gündogan, you made cup history with BVB back on 20th March 2012 at the Trolli Arena – what does that piece of history mean to you?
Ilkay Gündogan: It’s a great memory. It was the semi-final against Greuther Fürth. I didn’t start the game but I was brought on just before the end of normal time. The game finished 0-0 so we went into extra-time and I scored in the final few seconds to put us in the final. And we all know how that went (5-2 win over Bayern München). It was a great time but currently we are only in the quarter-finals.
DFB.de: You’ll be up against a TSG Hoffenheim side who are strong going forward. Nia Künzer drew you at home, how important is that?
Gündogan: It’s quite important. Home games are always advantageous for us, especially in the DFB Cup. It’s a one off game and if it’s away then it’s even tougher. We’ve finally had a bit of luck in terms of being drawn at home but we have a tough opponent in front of us in Hoffenheim. They were here just before Christmas and we only won 1-0. We’d take the same result again but it’ll be hard work. Hoffenheim are a tricky opponent but I believe that anything is possible.
DFB.de: You’ve failed to score in four of your last five games in all competitions. What will you have to do on Tuesday in order to find the back of the net?
Gündogan: The most important thing is that we create chances going forward. There was definitely room for improvement in that sense in the past few games, especially the ones at home. We haven’t scored in our last three games and that’s obviously not what we wanted.
DFB.de: What are you expecting from Hoffenheim?
Gündogan: They have a lot less to lose in the DFB Cup than in the league. We can expect them to be even stronger than in our last meeting in December. We want to continue to be solid at the back, as we have been over the past few weeks, and be more effective going forward. We want to create as many good scoring chances as we can.
DFB.de: That sounds good but it could be tough. Even Bayern were defensive in Dortmund, so Hoffenheim could do the same and try and hit you on the break. Borussia Dortmund have problems against sides who sit back.
Gündogan: We find it hard against sides who sit back. Hoffenheim could have seen our game against Bayern. You could be also curious to see how they will set up. It could be the case that they will do something similar. However over the past few years, Hoffenheim have been known for their attacking quality and I can’t imagine that they will completely abandon that. The bottom line is that they have quality in their side.
DFB.de: Mr Gündogan, how would you like the game to pan out on Tuesday evening?
Gündogan: The best thing would be if we could settle the game in our favour as quickly as possible. We always find it easier when we go ahead early. However, I’m expecting an exciting and enticing game. Hoffenheim won’t make it easy for us. We want to get through to the semi-finals so I would also take penalties and everything else that can happen in a cup game. The main thing is that Borussia Dortmund reach the semi-finals of the DFB Cup.
