BVB boss Benjamin Hoffmann has great respect for Wolfsburg. "They went the entire Bundesliga season unbeaten and go into Final Round of the German Championship as the big favourites," said the 37-year-old as he looked ahead to the semi-final first leg in Lower Saxony on Tuesday 9 May (16:30 CET, live on Sport1).

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Benjamin Hoffmann

Hoffmann labelled the young Wolves as "a physically robust unit with great technical ability plus lightning-quick and dangerous players". Nonetheless, the reigning champions, who set off for Wolfsburg yesterday, still harbour aspirations of retaining their title. Hoffmann said: "We will challenge the opposition and try to force them out of their comfort zone." BVB will be looking to pick up a good result to take into the return leg in Brackel (Monday 15 May, 18:30 CET), where they will be hoping to secure a meeting with the winner of the other semi-final a week later.

The fact that the final on Monday 22 May (kick-off 19:30 CET) is taking place at Signal Iduna Park "serves as an extra motivating factor," according to Youth Coordinator Lars Ricken. The former midfielder described winning the Bundesliga West as "a great achievement by the team. Considering the special circumstances surrounding their campaign, they deserved to finish top of the Bundesliga table."

The youngsters led by captain Dzenis Burnic are now looking to go one step further. "Rather than just looking to react, we need to show our own strengths too," said Hoffmann, who is demanding a courageous and confident display from his players. Long-term injury absentees aside, the coach has a full squad – including young first-teamer Felix Passlack – at his disposal. Alexander Isak, on the other hand, is not eligible to play in the Final Round of the German Championship as he did not complete his switch to the Black and Yellows until after 1 January 2017.

Vfl coach Thomas Reis, who side is also at full strength ahead of the semi-finals, does not believe in any way that his charges are favourites. "Dortmund produce excellent teams year after year. For us, the semi-final matches will be a very exciting and enthralling challenge. We will need to demonstrate the footballing qualities that we have shown throughout the entire season. If we manage that, then they'll be two good games."

Borussia, though, will be doing everything in their power to stop the Wolves in their tracks.  
Wilfried Wittke