The best has been saved for last: the 2017 calendar year is set to culminate in a real highlight, although it's certainly not an "ideal draw" for either of the two sides involved. In the DFB Cup Round of 16 – the 53rd competitive match of the year – Borussia Dortmund will face Bayern Munich on Wednesday evening (20:45 CET).

"For me personally it's a real highlight. A Cup tie with Dortmund against Bayern at the end of the year tops it all off," said Peter Stöger before the Klassiker in Munich. The 51-year-old will take "a team whom I think will get their chances. We have the possibility to really cause danger there."

The Black & Yellows know they will be the underdogs (Stöger: "Bayern and weaknesses? Those two really don't go together!"), but they will take to the field in Bavaria in the knowledge that they have managed to cause upsets in Munich before. BVB are the only club to have won five times in all competitions at the Allianz Arena. "We've done relatively well at Bayern in the Cup in recent years," recalled Sokratis, adding: "They might be the favourites, but anything is always possible in a match."

Borussia have won the last two DFB Cup ties in Munich, first in 2015 and then in 2017. "Of course, that's in the back of your mind," said Stöger, but "when it comes to things that happened in the past," you can carry forward the positive feelings but they must not lull you into a false sense of security. "I think it's more effective to focus on things that didn't work so well," the coach added.

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Borussia will have respect for their opponents, but they won't be in awe of them. "We certainly won't go into the game thinking: Bayern are doing so well, we haven't got a chance," said Julian Weigl. "We know that we've got a chance. But for that to happen a lot of things need to come together."

Sporting Director Michael Zorc said: "In principle, we aim to win wherever we go. We've already proven we can do it in Munich too."

There are still doubts concerning the involvement of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who has muscular problems. The striker is under continuous medical supervision. "Let's see how it is this afternoon. There's still a whole day until tomorrow," said a relaxed Stöger.
Boris Rupert