Here’s our preview of Tuesday’s DFB-Pokal semi-final between Arminia Bielefeld and Bayer Leverkusen, including the predicted lineups.
| Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images |
Having eliminated three Bundesliga sides – Union Berlin, Freiburg and Werder Bremen – from the DFB-Pokal, 3. Liga side Arminia Bielefeld are now just one step away from the final.
However, the semi-final arguably represents the toughest step yet, as Michél Kniat’s side welcome reigning German double winners Bayer Leverkusen to the SchücoArena on Tuesday night.
“Leverkusen is probably the toughest task of all. But we want to do everything we can to reach the cup final,” said Arminia’s sporting managing director, Michael Mutzel, ahead of the game.
Bielefeld, fourth in the 3. Liga, can take heart from the fact that they’re on a three-match unbeaten run after a 2-2 draw with Hannover 96’s second team at the weekend.
But they will need an exceptional performance to upset the champions, who are coming off the back of a 3-1 win over Bochum.
Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso knows his side are heavy favorites, but is not taking anything for granted.
“It is another great opportunity for us to reach a final. But we have a lot of respect for Bielefeld. They have beaten three Bundesliga teams. We are ready, expect a tough opponent and know that the cup can be a crazy competition. We have to play well,” Xabi Alonso said on Monday.
In terms of absentees, Arminia Bielefeld will be without Nassim Boujellab (knee) and Roberts Uldrikis (knee).
Leverkusen are without long-term absentees Jeanuel Belocian (knee), Mario Hermoso (chest), Martin Terrier (Achilles) as well as Florian Wirtz (ankle) and Edmond Tapsoba (hamstring).
On the bright side for Die Werkself, Nathan Tella will be back in the squad if he has no problems in the final training session.
Compared to Friday’s 3-1 win over Bochum, Matej Kovar could replace Lukas Hradecky in goal, while Amine Adli could start alongside Victor Boniface in place of Patrik Schick after impressing from the bench.
Click here to see our predicted Arminia Bielefeld vs. Bayer Leverkusen lineups.
