A cup-tie thriller full of subplots and heroes

After an evenly contested first half during which the guests had the better of the chances, one of which Kalou was able to convert to give them a 1-0 lead (27' minute), only the Black and Yellows continued to play in the second 45 minutes of the game. Marco Reus scored the equaliser (47' minute) after Ousmane Dembélé had hit the post. However, good chances were subsequently missed (Reus 50', Aubameyang 57', Guerreiro 66').

Many chances, little luck in front of goal

"We had so many opportunities, we worked so many chances for ourselves. I had not expected that we would be able to do so when playing against Hertha", said Thomas Tuchel. The BVB manager also went on to address problem areas, given that "the mentality and the spirit" – his own words – were there, but "the final shot, the ruthlessness and the ability to deliver the killer blow to decide the matter" were absent. In a similar way, Borussia had already made the games against Bremen (2-1) and Leipzig (1-0) unnecessarily close, and dropped two points against Mainz (1-1).

Julian Weigl saw things the same way. The 21 year old, who was seventh in the penalty taking order, and who was glad that his spot kick services were ultimately not required, offered the following criticism: "Our failing was once again our inability to get the second goal. We were not playing as intensively as we should have. We had more than enough chances to decide the game." The last big chance during regular playing time fell to Dembélé, who sent the ball just wide of the left post in the 81' minute.

Speaking of Dembélé: The Frenchman was once again integral to BVB's game, though required treatment for five minutes or so during extra time at the end of the first half. In normal circumstances he would not have been able to play on. As the Black and Yellows had already made four changes, three of which due to injury (Schmelzer, Piszczek, Reus) or in order not to risk injury, the 19 year old gritted his teeth, took to the field again, positioned himself more or less in the opposition's half as he was not able to run properly anymore, and marked one Berlin player, if nothing else. To everybody's surprise, the Frenchman volunteered himself when players were being nominated for the penalty shootout. "We asked him if he could do it. Then he said he wanted to take the first one!", reported on astounded member of the training staff, whose "confidence grew as he successfully made it to the penalty spot".

"The game really cost us a lot of energy", recognised Julian Weigl. Therefore, it was hardly surprising that there were hardly any attempts on goal during extra time at either end of the pitch. "I was starting to get a little cold as we headed towards penalties", said Roman Bürki with regard to the fact that the end phase of the match primarily consisted of the defensive efforts of the men from Berlin. When it came to the "penalty kick lottery" though, the Swiss was nonetheless at operating temperature, indeed, he was almost "on fire".

Roman's heroics during penalties

After Lustenberger had hit the bar, he saved Darida's effort, with whom he had played together while at Freiburg. Though he got a foot to it, he was unable to keep Esswein's shot down the middle out, and was able to stop Allagui's attempt, but it was carried over the line thanks to backspin. Thomas Tuchel: "Roman Bürki's contribution was exceptional. He got to every penalty that was on target." Roman Weidenfeller had kept out penalties in the shootout against Union Berlin in the second round of the tournament.

Since every Borussia player converted, up until Pulisic at least, the resulting victory over Hertha which meant they had reached the quarterfinal was well earned. Their opponent there will be Sportfreunde Lotte. The third division team have reached the quarterfinals with victories over Werder Bremen, Bayer Leverkusen and 1860 Munich. 

Matthias Ginter weighed up the tie immediately after the draw had been made: "It will be another real cup battle against Lotte. It will feel something like a first round match, but we will prepare ourselves as per normal, and certainly want to make it to the semis." (gh/br)