Rot-Weiss Essen vs Borussia Dortmund: DFB-Pokal preview, team news & predicted lineups

After a sensational weekend of cup football, Rot-Weiss Essen hope to add more drama when they face the mighty Dortmund on Monday night.

Niko Kovač‘s side start their season at the Stadion an der Hafenstraße in the first round of the DFB-Pokal tie.

Rot-Weiss Essen

From “The Miracle of Bern” hero Helmut Rahn to the iconic figure of Horst Hrubesch, Rot-Weiss Essen had plenty of big names throughout their successful era. The list of players to pass through the club also includes Borussia Dortmund legends Manfred Burgsmüller and Frank Mill.

Nowadays, Essen are playing outside the top two divisions. Hence, the last two times they faced Dortmund were in the first round of the DFB-Pokal in 2008 and 1982(!). BVB won both ties 3-1, but Uwe Koschinat’s side hope for a shocking result this time around.

Essen were involved in this season’s opening 3. Liga fixture against fellow sleeping giants: 1860 Munich. Both that game and last week’s fixture at newly-promoted TSV Havelse ended with the same scoreline: 1-1.

Team News

Striker Marek Janssen is out of the game after suffering a serious injury in the closing stage of the game in Havelse. With players like Klaus Gjasula and Ahmet Arslan, they have some experience in their ranks.

Borussia Dortmund

Niko Kovač is in the process of extending his contract at the club, but the bosses might have to support him more in the transfer market with a depleted squad further damaged by a serious injury to Niklas Süle.

Jobe Bellingham is the only new signing so far in this market after a mediocre season saved by a late surge under Kovač. Since they reached the quarter-finals in the Club World Cup, fans expected more activity from their club this summer. As it seems, they first need to finalize the departures of some players.

On Monday, the Black and Yellows will officially start their season following a short preparation time due to their involvement in the tournament staged in the United States. The cup specialist coach is expected to field his strongest side in his first Pokal game for Dortmund, as they’re not facing an Oberliga or Regionalliga side.

Team News

However, the Croat has to find solutions for the continued absence of key players. In addition to Süle, Niko Schlotterbeck, Emre Can and Julian Duranville are still not an option for selection. Italian youngster Filippo Mané is preparing for his first team debut as part of the back three.

Rot-Weiss Essen vs Borussia Dortmund: Predicted lineups

Essen: Golz; Ríos Alonso, Schultz, Kraulich; Hofmann, Bazzoli, Gjasula, Brumme; Moustier; Safi, Arslan

Dortmund: Kobel; Mane, Anton, Bensebaini; Ryerson, Sabitzer, Svensson; Groß, Bellingham; Guirassy, Adeyemi