The tingling is beginning and the tension is increasing. “It’s slowly sapping our energy” claimed Manager Benjamin Hoffmann. And by Sunday at the latest, when the group travels together to the Hotel, they will do their utmost to get rid of anything that could distract them.

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Then their focus is on the semi-final return leg in the German Cup against VfL Wolsfburg on Monday 18:30 CEST, on pitch 1 on the Brackel training ground.

The hard-fought 3-2 victory in the Wolfsburg stadium has further strengthened the togetherness of the group. "We had luck on our side and cannot rest on our laurels. That would be the biggest mistake we can make," said captain Dzenis Burnic. Benjamin Hoffmann was watching eagle-eyed at training, stating that "everyone is working very professionally." He can choose from a whole squad. Twenty-one outfield players are vying for a place in the 18-man squad, so Borussia's Manager will have to make some tough decisions. Even those who are only allowed to watch on Monday have contributed to the fact that BVB has could qualify for the final round despite all the problems and setbacks.

Benjamin Hoffmann did not offer a huge amount of praise for the performance in Wolfsburg, but critically remarked: "There is still work to be done. In terms of the performance we didn’t show what we have come to expect from our team”. Football coordinator Lars Ricken also criticized "too much sloppiness with the penultimate or final pass”. He added, “we can play much better." They will try to bring this improved quality to the pitch on Monday.

Stay focussed in the crunch matches

The opponents left a mark on the Black and Yellows. "Wolfsburg press very early. We must try to be present in the tackling areas and play quicker in the deeper areas,” said Burnic, giving insight into the strategic considerations. It will be important to neutralize their frontline. In the first game they did well because of their defensive commitment.

Like against Schalke 04 (2-0) or Bayer Leverkusen (2-1), "we may also benefit from the experience we have gained in the UEFA Youth League," Hoffmann noted. This was a learning and maturation process for the boys in eight games at a high international level.

Tight game expected in Brackel

On Monday they have a real home advantage, which they would relinquished with a move to a larger stadium. They will be in their dressing room, their turf, in their habitual environment and know that a maximum of 1200 spectators will be there to cheer them on. 150 scouts, advisers and game observers have been announced.

So it will be very tight in Brackel - and hopefully atmospheric. BVB is also asking the fans to make an early arrival and to understand that the gates are closed when the last ticket is sold. Sport1 is showing the game live. If the Black and Yellows reach the final, the talents open the big stage in Signal Iduna Park. Dzenis Burnic takes this as extra motivation. "To experience the final in the home stadium is something special. Everyone knows the mood that prevails in the professional home games."

The opponents for the final match will be determined Tuesday between Schalke 04 and Bayern Munich at the Wattenscheider Lohrheide stadium. The West German runners-up won the first leg 3-1.

Wilfried Wittke