In Julian Weigl, BVB will be missing a key performer and a confident passer in the final match of the Bundesliga campaign and the DFB Cup final. Fortunately, Nuri Sahin, a player of the same "mould" with 12 years' experience as a professional, is fit in time to step into the breach. 

Thomas Tuchel was keeping his cards close to his chest on when he spoke on Friday, but the coach did reveal: "Nuri feels ready, he is an option for us in central midfield. Matthias Ginter performed very well in the role in Augsburg, too. They are the two candidates."

As doubts surround the involvement of two contenders for the right-back slot – Erik Durm (vertebra) and Lukasz Piszczek (adductors) – Ginter is more likely to be deployed there, if he is able to play at all. The Olympic silver medallist is currently suffering from back problems.

Tuchel may well choose to react to the personnel situation with a change of formation. In any case, the situation, which he has labelled "a very special one", is clear. "We now have two major finals in which we can achieve our objectives for the season. We are very much looking forward to it, the tension is rising, I'm excited."

The coach is particularly looking forward to "the atmosphere in the stadium and the tension that will be in the air." With the fans behind them – their support will need to be as vociferous as possible! – the Black & Yellows are optimistic of beating Hoffenheim in the battle for third place. "We need a victory, we want the victory!" Tuchel declared.

The 43-year-old accepts that his team's fate could ultimately come down to goal difference. "We know from experience that crazy things can happen in the Bundesliga. But talking about them in advance doesn't mean that you can stop them. The trick will be to react to what is happening on the pitch and not to put ourselves under unnecessary pressure. It would only be a distraction if we look at what's going on elsewhere. With a win it is very likely that we will achieve our aim."

Boris Rupert