Thursday May 13th 2021
Big win in the DFB Cup final
Overpowering BVB demonstrates RB Leipzig
RB Leipzig has to wait for the first title in its club history: In the rainy DFB Cup final, the Saxons have no chance against serene Borussia. The Revierklub from Dortmund achieved a deserved victory after a furious first half – also thanks to their miracle striker.
Erling Haaland screamed his joy into the Berlin night sky, in the center circle the Dortmund cup heroes gathered for a common winners party. A few meters further, Julian Nagelsmann did the loser’s duty with a petrified expression and congratulated BVB coach Edin Terzic – the 33-year-old leaves Saxony without the title he had hoped for. BVB, on the other hand, saved the mediocre Bundesliga season with the superior 4: 1 (3: 0) on Thursday evening thanks to a half-time like in a frenzy.
Jadon Sancho (5th / 45th + 1 minute) and striker Haaland (28th / 87th) scored in the 78th cup final in the rainy Berlin Olympic Stadium for Dortmund. Dani Olmo’s goal (71st) came too late for Leipzig despite the courageous final phase. Like two years ago, the Saxons crashed into the final. “We are there for the second time in three years and we are on the sack for the second time, which is of course bitter,” said RB CEO Oliver Mintzlaff on ARD. Five days after Dortmund’s 3-2 win in the Bundesliga, Nagelsmann had big plans for his last title chance with RB. In a black winter jacket, the 33-year-old stood energetic on the sidelines, at least at the beginning. He quarreled when Marcel Sabitzer set his shot a little too high in the opening minutes (4th) – and even more so when the BVB professionals overran the Leipzigers with their first quick attack.
After a strong duel between the brilliantly playing Marco Reus against Kevin Kampl, the ball went to Sancho via star striker Haaland and Mahmoud Dahoud. The young Englishman met deliberately from the edge of the penalty area with a right-footed shot into the far corner. BVB coach Edin Terzic clenched his hand into a fist. Sancho scored his fifth cup goal this season.
In uncomfortable weather, national coach Joachim Löw was one of the few spectators to watch on the stands in the almost empty Olympic Stadium. The DFB President Fritz Keller, who is about to resign, also did not miss the trip to Berlin despite the deep crisis in the association, on Friday Keller had to appear before the sports court because of his Nazi settlement. The DFB had already announced before the game that the trophy will be handed over to two youngsters from youth football instead of the 64-year-old.
“The result is already brutal for Leipzig”
Leipzig recovered quickly from the early deficit on the pitch and tried to put the Bundesliga team under pressure with early pressing. Dortmund, who had not lost their previous seven games against Leipzig, countered extremely cleverly – and they had Haaland. The 20-year-old Norwegian prevailed with a very strong individual action against future Bayern professional Dayot Upamecano and scored with links to 2-0. The angular striker screamed his cheers into the Berlin evening sky. Terzic was again giving instructions to Mats Hummels on the sidelines.
The Dortmund coach, who will be replaced by Marco Rose in the coming season and – as of today – should return to the position of assistant, had formed BVB into the winning team again in recent weeks. “We are very confident and self-confident,” the 38-year-old had said before the game at Sky and blocked all discussions about his future. For the BVB coach everything went according to plan – especially after the 3-0. Again a quick attack after weak duel behavior in Leipzig, again Reus was involved. After a sprint into the penalty area, the 31-year-old put on Sancho, who gave the Leipzig dreams of the first title in the club’s history the next bitter damper.
Nagelsmann trudged towards the cabin in frustration. “The result is already brutal for Leipzig,” said Löw at halftime on ARD. “It will be really difficult to catch up three goals.” Leipzig tried everything immediately after the restart. The second half substitute Christopher Nkunku was served by Nordi Mukiele, but failed on the crossbar (46th). Some furious attacks by the second in the table followed. Sabitzer checked BVB goalkeeper Roman Bürki (48th), Olmo tried several times with long-range shots – who fit perfectly from a central position just 20 minutes before the end.
Leipzig hoped again. Especially since shortly before Thorgan Hazard had missed the fourth BVB goal after a counterattack when he could not use the preparatory work of Reus (66th). Dortmund were only rarely able to evade the pressure from Leipzig – and after a counterattack, Sancho wasted the next big chance for BVB (84th). Haaland then did better and caused wild cheers among the Dortmund professionals.
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