Bayern München will host the German champions of 2009 in the Allianz Arena in the DFB Pokal semifinals.
FC Bayern is in the Pokal semifinals for the fourth time in four years. They will be looking to make their third final in four years. They will also try to banish the memory of last season’s dramatic and shameful finale in Berlin. Bayern was never embarrassed in the final of a competition in the manner in which they were last May. Borussia Dortmund took them apart and almost looked down upon them as Robert Lewandowski helped himself to a hat trick in a 5-2 win.
Bayern’s journey to the semifinals has not been easy; neither has Wolfsburg’s. Die Wolfe opened up with a 0-5 victory against FC Schönberg but then only narrowly beat FSV Frankfurt (2-0), Bayer 04 Leverkusen (2-1) and VfL Bochum (2-0) to be at this stage of the competition. The highlight of their campaign was the comeback win against Leverkusen.
Fagner Lemos’ own goal had put Wolfsburg on the brink of an exit. A late show from Wolfsburg, aided by Leverkusen’s shoddy defending, saw Die Wolfe put out one of the best teams in the Bundesliga this season. Wolfsburg has met Bayern twice this season. They lost the first encounter at the Allianz thoroughly, 3-0. The second meeting was a more hard-fought win.
Mario Mandzukic’s goal just after the half hour mark put Bayern in the lead. Wolfsburg tried to come back; a Diego free kick forced Manuel Neuer to produce a simply superb save in the second half. Eventually, an Arjen Robben goal in injury time saw Bayern win 0-2. Robben of course scored the goal which sent Bayern into the semifinals of the Pokal.
Bayern easily swatted Dortmund away in the quarterfinals. While a wonderful Robben strike was the difference, Bayern was simply a class above the Ruhr side. They could have added at least two more goals on the day. The highlight of Bayern’s campaign this season, aside from the win over BVB, was a 0-2 win over Augsburg in the Round of 16.
Bayern was having a difficult afternoon against their regional rivals. Mario Gomez’s goal in the 26th minute gave Bayern the lead. Early in the second half, Franck Ribery saw red for unsporting behavior. Bayern, without Ribery, had to show incredible patience to hold on. A Xherdan Shaqiri strike in the 85th minute settled the contest.
As a result of that red card, Franck Ribery was given a two match ban. He is thus suspended for this match. Jerome Boateng is doubtful for the Bavarians due to gastric flu. Toni Kroos and Holger Badstuber are both out with long term injuries. For Wolfsburg, Vaclav Pilar and former BVB man Ivan Perisic are out. Dieter Hecking, the only coach to have taken a point from Bayern away from the Allianz Arena, otherwise has a full strength squad to choose from.
Jupp Heynckes has never won the DFB Pokal in his long and illustrious career. In what could be his last season in football, he will want another chance to lift the Cup with the Green Jewels. However, Wolfsburg is not to be taken lightly, especially under Hecking. Wolfsburg’s main threats will be the trio of Bas Dost, ex Bayern man Ivica Olic and midfielder Diego. They also have a certain former German international within their ranks, Patrick Helmes.
Who will reach the finale in Berlin?
Prediction: Bayern 2-1 Wolfsburg
Bayern’s journey to the semifinals has not been easy; neither has Wolfsburg’s. Die Wolfe opened up with a 0-5 victory against FC Schönberg but then only narrowly beat FSV Frankfurt (2-0), Bayer 04 Leverkusen (2-1) and VfL Bochum (2-0) to be at this stage of the competition. The highlight of their campaign was the comeback win against Leverkusen.
Fagner Lemos’ own goal had put Wolfsburg on the brink of an exit. A late show from Wolfsburg, aided by Leverkusen’s shoddy defending, saw Die Wolfe put out one of the best teams in the Bundesliga this season. Wolfsburg has met Bayern twice this season. They lost the first encounter at the Allianz thoroughly, 3-0. The second meeting was a more hard-fought win.
Mario Mandzukic’s goal just after the half hour mark put Bayern in the lead. Wolfsburg tried to come back; a Diego free kick forced Manuel Neuer to produce a simply superb save in the second half. Eventually, an Arjen Robben goal in injury time saw Bayern win 0-2. Robben of course scored the goal which sent Bayern into the semifinals of the Pokal.
Bayern easily swatted Dortmund away in the quarterfinals. While a wonderful Robben strike was the difference, Bayern was simply a class above the Ruhr side. They could have added at least two more goals on the day. The highlight of Bayern’s campaign this season, aside from the win over BVB, was a 0-2 win over Augsburg in the Round of 16.
Bayern was having a difficult afternoon against their regional rivals. Mario Gomez’s goal in the 26th minute gave Bayern the lead. Early in the second half, Franck Ribery saw red for unsporting behavior. Bayern, without Ribery, had to show incredible patience to hold on. A Xherdan Shaqiri strike in the 85th minute settled the contest.
As a result of that red card, Franck Ribery was given a two match ban. He is thus suspended for this match. Jerome Boateng is doubtful for the Bavarians due to gastric flu. Toni Kroos and Holger Badstuber are both out with long term injuries. For Wolfsburg, Vaclav Pilar and former BVB man Ivan Perisic are out. Dieter Hecking, the only coach to have taken a point from Bayern away from the Allianz Arena, otherwise has a full strength squad to choose from.
Jupp Heynckes has never won the DFB Pokal in his long and illustrious career. In what could be his last season in football, he will want another chance to lift the Cup with the Green Jewels. However, Wolfsburg is not to be taken lightly, especially under Hecking. Wolfsburg’s main threats will be the trio of Bas Dost, ex Bayern man Ivica Olic and midfielder Diego. They also have a certain former German international within their ranks, Patrick Helmes.
Who will reach the finale in Berlin?
Prediction: Bayern 2-1 Wolfsburg
