The 09 countdown to the cup final - every day a new chapter of BVB’s DFB Cup history. Here’s the seventh one, featuring Marc Ziegler: “We would have deserved it!”

April 19th, 2008. Borussia Dortmund met FC Bayern Munich for the second time in the space of six days. After taking a 5-0 hammering in the league, BVB gave the favourites a run for their money and forced them into extra time, but unfortunately not to their knees. Marc Ziegler remembers.

We didn’t have a good season and were in the bottom half of the table, but we really flourished in the cup. I kept goal in every round and my personal highlight came in the last 16 match. We were the underdogs at home against Werder Bremen, but were leading 2-0 with 10 minutes to go. Then Diego pulled one back from the spot; I was able to get a hand on it. Two minutes later Werder were awarded another penalty, and Diego stepped up again. I thought he wants to play it safe and choose the other corner, and that’s exactly what happened. I tried to stay still for as long as possible – and kept the ball out. It was great feeling in front of the 80,000-strong crowd.

The final took place in April due to the Euro. A week earlier we had to play in Munich in the league and we were given a real beating. So it was not the best way to go into a final, with the media only talking about the margin of our defeat.

“Not the best way to go into a final“
We wanted to prove them wrong and play as good as possible. And it really turned into a tight contest. Petric scored in the 90th minute to make it 1-1, and Flo (Florian Kringe; editor’s note) missed a real sitter. Bayern just had a bit more luck that night as both of their goals took a deflection. Luca Toni was known for sticking his foot in, and that’s what happened.

We really gave them a hard time. The atmosphere was fantastic. And yes, I believe we would have deserved to win the cup.