DFB-Pokal facts: BVB unbeaten against RWE since 1972

The situation: Borussia Dortmund haven’t gone out within the first essential spherical of the DFB-Pokal for the previous 20 years. The final time was on 22 August 2005, when Dortmund misplaced 2-1 to Eintracht Braunschweig after a floodlight failure. Since then, the Black & Yellows have made it to the cup closing seven occasions and received the title thrice (2012, 2017 and 2021).

Decrease leagues: Since 2001, BVB have solely misplaced twice to golf equipment from the newbie ranks, and each had been a very long time in the past. In October 2009, BVB misplaced 3-2 to three. Liga staff VfL Osnabrück within the spherical of 16, and the next 12 months misplaced 4-2 on penalties additionally to a third-tier staff, Offenbacher Kickers, within the second spherical.

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A reunion: The final time the 2 groups met, in August 2008, the Jürgen Klopp period at BVB was simply starting. At Stadion an der Hafenstraße, Tamas Hajnal, Florian Kringe and Nelson Valdez scored for BVB, whereas Stefan Lorenz scored for RWE, making the ultimate rating 3-1. Now, 17 years later, the groups are about to satisfy once more.

Unbelievable report: Since 1963 the 2 groups have performed towards one another in eight Bundesliga video games and two cup video games. Borussia Dortmund have received seven of those 10 video games, and the opposite three have led to attracts. Essen’s final win thus far towards the Black & Yellows was in November 1972 within the Regionalliga (3-2 at Stadion Rote Erde).

Essen’s lengthy dry spell: RWE received the DFB-Pokal in 1953 and reached the ultimate in 1994. Of their final six cup appearances, Essen have solely made it previous the primary spherical as soon as, in 2020/21 – however went on to succeed in the quarter-finals (towards Holstein Kiel, who had been then defeated within the semi-final in Dortmund).

Issues wanting up for Essen: Beneath coach Uwe Koschinat, who took over from Christoph Dabrowski after 17 matchdays, RWE have turn into a high staff within the 3. Liga. Within the first half of the 2024/25 season, Essen had been 18th within the desk; however within the second half of the season they ranked second behind Bielefeld. The staff additionally received the Landespokal in a hotly-contested match towards MSV Duisburg (2-1). Essen have began off the brand new season by drawing twice (1-1) towards 1860 München and TSV Havelse.  (br)