The draw had been kind. Dortmund got matched against Hoffenheim. And on top of that, the match will be hosted at the Signal Iduna Park, the home to the yellow wall.
The weakest team is obviously Hoffenheim. So according to the home ground policy of dfb Pokal, shouldn't Dortmund be playing away? Infact, this is a common misconception among the casual fans. The home ground policy is only effective in a professional vs amateur match.
Here amateur is referred to teams playing in division 3 or lower. Division 2 and above are obviously categorised as professional teams.
In a match between professional teams, the venue is selected by 'first from pot' method.
The club TSG 1899 Hoffenheim is currently one of the most watched teams in Germany. This year due to their strong performance in the second division, they have already booked a spot in the Bundesliga next season. They are like a team pulled straight from a fairy tale—or a corporate blueprint, depending on who you ask. In just two seasons, they have surged from the third-tier Regionalliga to the Bundesliga.
Under the financial backing of software billionaire Dietmar Hopp, who played for the club's youth team back in the day, they have transformed from a village team in Sinsheim into a modern powerhouse. While critics call them a "retort club" (Test Tube Club) because of the rapid investment, no one can deny the results.
Both teams were known for their high energy and electric playstyle. So the anticipation for today's game was high, though no one can deny the advantageous position of hosts.
The atmosphere in the stadium is already intense. The attendance was high, close to 55,000 bodies wearing the yellow and black.
While standing on the pitch, waiting for the kick-off Marco was silently checking his attribute panel. To his dismay, even after the weeks of intense focused training his cut-in skill was standing at the same 9.9/10 points. It was as if his hard training was futile. But Marco could distinctively feel that he was close to a breakthrough. He just needs the right opportunity.
He scanned the pitch. Both teammates and opponents were visible to him. Today Dortmund is playing in a diamond 4-4-2 formation. The goal keeper is Mark Zeigler, the defensive line consists of Antonio Rukavima, Robert Kovac, Mats Hummels, and Dede. The sole defensive midfielder Sebastian Kehl, who is wearing the captain's armband for the game. Giovanni Federico is playing at the attacking midfielder position, with Marco Reus and Tinga playing the left and right midfielder position respectively. The striker duo are Mladen Petric and Alexander Frei.
Hoffenheim is in their usual 4-3-3 formation. The goal keeper is Ramazan Ozcan. Followed by Christoph Janker, Marvin Compper, Andreas Ibertsberger, Zsolt Low, Luiz Gustavo, Selim Teber, Carlos Eduardo, Chinedu Obasi, Demba Ba, Fransisco Copado.
Even though they are currently playing in the second division, the management is clearly ambitious and is planning to dominate the whole Bundesliga next season. Their squad strength proved this.
The team was not to be taken lightly.
Klopp could be seen on the sidelines, greeting the Hoffenheim coach Ralf Rangnick, and exchanging handshakes. He had already delivered an intense locker room speech, firing up the spirits of every player.
Following the whistle, the match kicked off.
Despite their moderate upbringing Hoffenheim had none of the nervousness of facing a well known giant club. They pressed and attacked without any hesitation.
In their home ground Borussia Dortmund was not to be outdone, upping the intensity of the game by several levels.
Both teams created chances, but it was Dortmund who tasted the first blood.
The twenty third minute, Tinga won a hard fought duel and low driven pass to Giovanni Federico on the edge of the box. As soon as he touched the ball, the nearest defender immediately moved to mark him. But Federico didn't give him the chance to tackle. As soon as he received the ball he fired a low screamer into the near bottom corner. It easily beat the hands of the goal keeper and nestled into the net.
1-0.
The celebration wasn't particularly showy. Under the screaming of Klopp, who just yelled at them to press even harder, they didn't dare to extend it longer.
Dortmund seemed to be stimulated further by the goal. But Hoffenheim wasn't particularly rattled. They kept the same fearless attitude as before showcasing a quality beyond their actual estimated ability.
And they were soon rewarded for it. In the 31st minute, their forward Demba Ba was fouled inside the box and they got rewarded with a penalty. Fransisco Copado, their regular penalty taker didn't miss the chance, blasting the ball into the left side of the net.
1-1.
The match that followed was end-to-end, both teams creating chances. The game was truly a display of quality football. The non stop screams of fans can prove that.
Halftime came with the score level.
Marco sat in the locker room, calmly analysing the past 45 minutes. Although the game looked very intense, those who are familiar with the Dortmund players know that some key players like Marco were not giving their 100% when coming to the pressing. It was not a complacency or rebellion from their part, instead part of the game tactics.
Klopp's heavy metal style puts a very high demand on the player's physical reserves. And it is simply unrealistic to even think that it is possible to attain this with such a short amount of training. You have to remember, it is not even two months since the manager changed, and it is not ideal to simply focus on physical training during this period, not to mention the burden that the body has to endure during this period.
This results in conceding a lot of last minute goals. You can imagine the frustration when the game that should have been won suddenly got equalised at the last minute, or worse, lost. In Fact this is not a rare occurrence for the team. Coaching staff has already brainstormed on solving the issue and developed a few strategies. Currently, some important players were given freedom to conserve some of their physical reserves for the second half.
This strategy has proved effective so far.
Since the game is at a draw, what they have to do next is self explanatory.
Second half of the game began among the cheers from the 55,000 Dortmund fans. Despite the intensity both teams have exhibited during the first half, the second half proved to be even more fiery.
Dortmund players burst forth with much greater energy than before. Their relentless pressing made it almost impossible for the opponent to keep possession of the ball for a long time.
In the 56th minute, Dortmund won the ball in the midfield. With lightning, a fast transition ball found Marco at the left touchline, thirty yards from the goal. As soon as he touched the ball, two Hoffenhiem players were upon him.
The attention the opponents placed on him in the match, made it harder for him not to feel flattered. As soon as he touched the ball two players were upon him. They confronted him roughly and made it harder for him to play his natural game.
But Marco was already used to this type of confrontation and was able to keep a much calmer mind. He looked at the front and didn't think. His body naturally followed his instincts, the ball glued to his feets.
As soon as the defenders saw his movements, the otherside knew what was coming. They had been briefed about his habits and playing style.
Marco drove forward. The defenders backed off slightly, forming a defensive wall. Their positioning was good. Textbook.
During the past years of intense training, plus the comprehensive revision last week, the cut-in move already was ingrained in his bones. At this moment he didn't think how to dribble past what was in front of him.
His senses worked overtime to feed him even the most minute sensory details. He could perceive the intention of the defenders, their body language, even the small twitch of their muscles, and aligning of the center of gravity, everything seemed crystal clear to him. The time seemed to slow down, and he moved.
He touched the ball with his right foot, angling it slightly inward. The first defender shifted his weight, ready to intercept his move down the line. But he was also prepared for this to be faint.
But what he didn't expect was, as soon as his body moved a slight fraction, Marco had already executed the cut-in move, moving past him. The second defender, still maintaining his calm, was following to the inside, blocking a direct shooting opportunity. He was also closing step by step ready to tackle at any moment. But just as he prepared for the tackle, Marco suddenly cut the ball back, going down the line. The defender swiftly changed the plan and followed him down the line. But what happened next was beyond his expectation.
As soon as he turned the body, Marco cut it back and returned to the original course, but this time he was free inside the box, with no defender near him. This took the entire Hoffenheim defence off guard. Just when the goal keeper prepared himself to rush forward, the ball had already glided into the far post, leaving him no chance to even attempt a dive.
The entire sequence of action took less than five seconds. The entire sequence of action was so smooth and effortless that even teammates were rubbing their heads in astonishment.
The entire Signal Iduna Park reached a boiling fervour, the sound waves drowning the scene. Klopp was found to be running left and right, like he witnessed some miracle.
Marco has already completed a knee slide near the corner flag and team mates have already drowned him. At this moment he was experiencing an unreal sensation. He found himself so exhilarated that he even found himself unable to articulate any thoughts.
Before he got any time to think further, his teammates have already buried him under.