Timo Werner opened the scoring as RB Leipzig beat Borussia Dortmund to reach the DFB Cup semi-finals. - © Stuart Franklin/Getty Images
Timo Werner opened the scoring as RB Leipzig beat Borussia Dortmund to reach the DFB Cup semi-finals. - © Stuart Franklin/Getty Images
Holders RB Leipzig oust Borussia Dortmund to reach DFB Cup semi-finals
DFB Cup holders RB Leipzig advanced to the semi-finals of this year’s competition thanks to a 2-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund in the last eight on Wednesday.
Leipzig 2-0 Dortmund
Goals: 1-0 Werner 22’ (assist: Simakan), 2-0 Orban 90'+8 (assist: Kampl)
As surprising as it may seem, the first half was as one-sided a game of football as you are ever likely to see. Leipzig, wounded by defeats in their last three competitive matches, began determined to show their true colours – and boy, did they ever. Barely two minutes were on the clock when Konrad Laimer had the first chance, playing a one-two with Werner before firing an angled drive at goal that Gregor Kobel did well to tip out for a corner. Dortmund barely made it out of their own half as the chances came thick and fast for Leipzig: Werner, Dani Olmo and Dominik Szoboszlai all went close before they eventually got their reward, Mohamed Simakan striding forward past Mats Hummels to cross for Werner to sweep into the net. Josko Gvardiol, Olmo and Werner all had further openings as Leipzig refused to loosen their grip on the game, but despite ending the first 45 minutes with 14 shots on goal to BVB’s one, they were only 1-0 up at the break.
Dortmund brought on Yousoufa Moukoko at half-time in the hope that the threat of his pace on the counter might force Leipzig to abandon their relentless pressing and drop deeper. The hosts refused to do so, however, and continued to look the more dangerous side, with Olmo’s rasping drive from distance a reminder of Leipzig’s considerable threat. The visitors grew into the game as the half wore on, aided by the introduction of Jude Bellingham off the bench, but they still struggled to click in the final third and Janis Blaswich in the Leipzig goal was largely a spectator. The hosts should have killed the game off in the closing stages when Szoboszlai fed Laimer on the counter but, after outwitting Hummels, the midfielder was thwarted by another big save from Kobel. Anthony Modeste came off the bench for the final five minutes as Dortmund sought to force the issue but Leipzig held firm and after Willi Orban's goal on the counter deep into stoppage time, they were rewarded for an impressive display with a place in the semi-finals.
Match stats
- With five goals now, Werner is the highest-scoring player left in this season's DFB Cup alongside Frankfurt's Randal Kolo Muani.
- Leipzig have won all 10 of their DFB Cup matches since losing the 2021/22 final 4-1 to Dortmund.
- Rose has now faced Dortmund three times in the DFB Cup as a coach, losing in the 2019/20 second round and 2020/21 quarter-finals whilst in charge of Borussia Mönchengladbach.
- Leipzig join Eintracht Frankfurt, Freiburg and VfB Stuttgart in this season's semi-finals.
- Die Roten Bullen have reached at least the last four of the DFB Cup for a third successive year.
- Orban's goal was his fourth in his 33rd DFB Cup appearance.
Teams
Leipzig: Blaswich – Simakan (Klostermann 78'), Orban (c), Gvardiol – Henrichs, Laimer (Kampl 87'), Haidara, Raum (Halstenberg 87') – Szoboszlai, Werner (Silva 78'), Olmo (Forsberg 70')
Unused subs: Nyland, Clark, Ba
Out: Gulacsi (knee), Nkunku (thigh), Schlager (ankle), Poulsen (calf)
Doubtful: -
Coach: Marco Rose
Dortmund: Kobel – Wolf (Moukoko 46'), Süle, Hummels (Modeste 85'), Ryerson – Özcan, Can, Guerreiro – Malen, Brandt (Bellingham 63'), Reus (c) (Bynoe-Gittens 76')
Unused subs: Meyer, Reyna, Dahoud, Rothe, Coulibaly
Out: Adeyemi (suspended), Duranville (thigh), Meunier (back), Haller (knee), Morey (match fitness)
Coach: Edin Terzic
As it happened!
2 - 0
(1 - 0)
Leipzig
FINAL
Dortmund
DFB Pokal
Quarter-final Quarter-final Red Bull Arena
Quarter-final Quarter-final Red Bull Arena
90'
+ 7
Leipzig advance to the last four!
The holders are through! They were too good for Dortmund, who only began to seriously threaten in the dying embers. Leipzig join Freiburg, Stuttgart and Frankfurt in the semi-final draw. BVB's hopes of silverware this season rest on their Bundesliga title challenge.
Full-time
90'
+ 7
That's it!
Drama at the last as Blaswich denies Bynoe-Gittens. Kobel goes up for the ensuing corner, leaving an unguarded net that Leipzig take full advantage of. Kampl carries the ball into the BVB box, before laying it off for Orban to squeeze past the covering defender. Leipzig are going through to the DFB Cup semi-finals!
90'
+ 5
Handbags
Malen and Szoboszlai clash. There's a lot of pushing and shoving in the ensuing melee. Hummels gets involved from the bench, earning a booking for his efforts.
90'
+ 3
No way through
Malen is booked after a tangle with Halstenberg. It just doesn't look like it's going to happen for the visitors...
90'
+ 2
Yellow card
90'
Malen!
The Dutchman turns away from Gvardiol, but the angle's tight and it's a routine save at his near post for Blaswich. Only BVB's second shot of the game. Leipzig have fired off 19!
89'
FIVE added minutes
Plenty of time for Dortmund to find an equaliser and force extra time...
88'
At the right end for Leipzig
Leipzig get the ball into the box for Silva, who manages to win a corner. Smart from the hosts - they'll gladly eat up a few seconds with this.
86'
Fresh legs
Like-for-like changes at left-back and in the centre of midfield for Leipzig. They're expecting the kitchen sink from Dortmund...
86'
Substitution
86'
Substitution
83'
Trash talking
A striker for a defender. BVB need to start getting balls into the Leipzig box. Blaswich still hasn't had a save to make. Meanwhile, Bellingham talks his way into the referee's little black book.
83'
Yellow card
83'
Substitution
83'
Gvardiol mops up
The Leipzig defender slides in with a huge challenge to prevent Ryerson breaking clear. Sensational defending.
79'
Double change
Simakan makes way after a big shift at the office, with Klostermann on in his stead. Target man Silva also enters the fray, providing a different sort of attacking threat to the speedy Werner.
79'
Substitution
79'
Substitution
78'
Kobel to the rescue!
The break is on for Leipzig. Laimer has options left and right, but stalls before cutting inside his marker and unleashing a shot that the on-rushing Kobel does really well to block. Massive chance to make it 2-0 - will it come back to bite them?
76'
Injection of pace
Bynoe-Gittens replaces Reus. The English teenager, who already has a couple of goals from the bench this season, will look to stretch the Leipzig defence with his pace.
76'
Substitution
75'
Lights out
The stadium lights flick off, on, off and back on again. The fans see the funny side. Changes are coming...
75'
Let-off!
Haidara swipes at a cross from the right. It could go anywhere - luckily Blaswich is there to gather.
72'
Simakan knock
Simakan stays down after catching Reus on the ankle. The Frenchman's been full of running today, but it looks like his night might be over...
69'
Olmo makes way
Forsberg's on for Olmo, who is applauded to the rafters on his way off the pitch. He was superb in the first half.
69'
Substitution
68'
Asking questions
Bellingham sends over a cross from the right, but it's too close to Blaswich. Ryerson follows suit, but Malen's beaten to it in the air. The BVB full-backs are playing really high up the pitch now.
63'
The string-puller
Bellingham goes straight over to rouse the Dortmund fans. He's on for Brandt, who just hasn't been able to influence the game.
63'
Substitution
58'
One booking apiece
Raum is booked for a foul on Ryerson. Olmo blazed over from range moments earlier, and it looks like Bellingham is about to come on for BVB...
58'
Yellow card
54'
Warning
Laimer catches Özcan late, but avoids a booking. Just another sign that Dortmund are in the ascendancy...
50'
Green shoots of recovery
Dortmund are seeing a lot of the ball in their own half without being pressed as intensely as they were in the first 45 - but can they make inroads offensively?
46'
Attacking change
Young striker Moukoko's on in place of right-back Wolf for Dortmund. It looks like Ryerson will move over to the right-hand side of the defence, with Guerreiro vacating the midfield to play the second half at left-back.
46'
Substitution
Kick-off!
45'
+ 4
Half time: Leipzig 1-0 Dortmund
Leipzig are good value for their 1-0 lead, after rattling off 14 shots to Dortmund's one. The only disappointment from their point of view is that they haven't scored more. BVB can surely only get better in the second half...
Half-time
44'
Added time
Three additional minutes to be played at the end of the first half. Hummels blocked a shot with his head moments ago, and is trying to run off any lingering discomfort.
40'
Caution
Ryerson gets all off the man and none of the ball to stop Olmo breaking over halfway. The BVB left-back knew exactly what he was doing - deserved booking.
40'
Yellow card
39'
Chance not taken
Laimer plays Werner one-on-one with Kobel. The Leipzig goalscorer should shoot, but opts for the return pass, which he fails to pull off.
36'
Wayward Werner
Leipzig bypass the Dortmund defence with a long ball over the top and out to the left for Werner. He drifts inside with ease, but his shot leaves a lot to be desired. It's high, wide and not so handsome. Kobel, by the way, appears OK to continue...
34'
Kobel concern
Dortmund's goalkeeper goes down after diving to his right to keep out an Olmo volley. It looks like a knee problem. The physios are on.
Five in three
© Imago
25'
Brilliantly effective
Leipzig have only had 40 percent possession, but it's what they're doing with it that counts. What a start by the holders. BVB can't get a foothold in the game.
22'
Leipzig deservedly ahead!
Leipzig get their goal. Simakan combines with Szoboszlai and continues his run. He leaves Hummels in his wake, before cutting a cute ball back for Werner to steer into the bottom corner with a cultured first-time finish.
20'
Respite
Dortmund enjoy a welcome spell of possession. Terzic has been barking out orders in response to that lightning Leipzig start.
Dani the man
© Getty Images
11'
World-class save!
Leipzig come again as Haidara breezes past Can in the Dortmund half. He drops it off to Olmo to his left, and it takes Kobel's go-go Gadget left leg to stop the Spaniard finding the bottom corner. Brilliant goalkeeping!
8'
Denied!
Gvardiol in an advanced position now to feed the run of Olmo. He reaches the edge of the six-yard area, before being bumped off the ball by Can. Can Leipzig capitalise on their electric start?
6'
Backs to the wall!
Leipzig's high press forces the mistake from Süle. Olmo picks it up and stings the palms of Kobel, who can't hold it. Szoboszlai goes to shoot, but the Dortmund keeper dives at his feet to make a crucial block. BVB are up against it in the early stages!
3'
Kobel again!
Leipzig have started brightly, with Olmo pulling the strings. He feeds Henrichs, who spins in the box and forces Kobel into a diving save at his near post.
1'
We're off!
Malen gets the ball rolling for Dortmund, but Leipzig win it back. Olmo has a crack, warming the palms of Kobel, who made such a costly mistake for the opener in Der Klassiker. That'll boost the confidence levels, though.
Kick-off!
Teams in the tunnel
The Dortmund players look to be in very good spirits as they prepare to take to the field at a bouncing Red Bull Arena. How will they respond to that Bayern defeat?
Bundesliga final four?
Stuttgart have taken a late lead in Nuremberg. As things stand, it'll be an all-Bundesliga affair in the semi-finals.
The story so far
Leipzig been flawless in their pursuit of a second successive DFB Cup, accounting for minnows Teutonia Ottensen (8-0), Bundesliga 2's Hamburg (4-0) and top-flight rivals Hoffenheim (3-1) in the previous rounds. Five-time DFB Cup winners Dortmund, meanwhile, got this far by beating 1860 Munich (3-0), Hannover (2-0) and Bochum (2-1).
A place in the last four on the line
Just a reminder that the winner will join Frankfurt and Freiburg in the semi-finals. Eintracht beat Union Berlin, while Freiburg stunned Bayern yesterday. Stuttgart are currently in action against Bundesliga 2's Nuremberg in the other quarter-final tie. That one's goalless and heading for extra-time...
More on those teams
Terzic makes three changes to the BVB team beaten by Bayern at the weekend. Two are enforced, with Hummels and Malen in for the injured Schlotterbeck and Haller. Özcan is preferred to midfield fulcrum Bellingham, who drops to the bench. As for hosts and holders Leipzig, defenders Simakan and Raum, midfielder Haidara and playmaker Olmo start. Halstenberg, Kampl, Forsberg and Silva make way in the four changes to the side that started the 3-0 home loss to Mainz on Saturday. Rose also switches to a back three.
Leipzig starting line-up
Blaswich – Simakan, Orban (c), Gvardiol – Henrichs, Laimer, Haidara, Raum – Szoboszlai, Werner, Olmo
Leipzig subs
Nyland, Forsberg, Klostermann, Silva, Halstenberg, Clark, Ba, Kampl
Dortmund starting line-up
Kobel – Wolf, Süle, Hummels, Ryerson – Özcan, Can, Guerreiro – Malen, Brandt, Reus (c)
Dortmund subs
Meyer, Reyna, Dahoud, Moukoko, Modeste, Bellingham, Rothe, Bynoe-Gittens, Coulibaly
Absentees aplenty
In addition to Christopher Nkunku and Yussuf Poulsen missing out for Leipzig (see below), Dortmund are also without a couple of key players. Nico Schlotterbeck will be absent for the next few weeks with a muscle tear, while Karim Adeyemi is suspended. Gio Reyna, Thomas Meunier and Sebastien Haller are all doubtful, the latter having sustained a knock in Munich at the weekend.
What they're saying - Leipzig
"We know that we haven't had enough good results recently and that we didn't play well at the weekend," said Leipzig boss Marco Rose. "We have to discuss how things are right now and how we want them to be, and realise that only we can change that. It will be important that we make the right decisions on the pitch against Dortmund. We have to be sharper and more decisive."
What they're saying - Dortmund
"There's no reason to be pessimistic going into our next games," said head coach Edin Terzic at his pre-match press conference, coming in the wake of the disappointing defeat by Bayern at the weekend. "We're still one of the most in-form teams in Europe and we're fighting for a place in the semi-finals. We know what we have to do in order to win this game."
Two down, two to go
Frankfurt defeated Union Berlin in the first of the quarter-finals on Tuesday, before Freiburg beat the odds to come from behind in Munich and knock out Bayern to advance to the last four. Which of these two will join them there?
2:03
Watch: Previous meeting: Dortmund 2-1 Leipzig
Head-to-head
Dortmund have a narrow advantage historically, having won seven of the 14 Bundesliga meetings between these teams to date, including a 2-1 triumph at the beginning of March. There have been just two draws in that period, but five wins for Leipzig. Dortmund also emerged victorious in the one and only encounter in the cup - in the 2021 final no less - which they won 4-1.
Hello and welcome
Thanks for joining us for build-up and live match coverage of this DFB Cup quarter-final between holders Leipzig and 2021 winners Dortmund. It's safe to assume we're in for a treat!
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