Bayern Munich vs. Borussia Dortmund, 2017 DFB Pokal Semifinals: Starting Lineups

Bayern Munich

Carlo Ancelotti has stuck to his guns with his tried and true 4-3-3 with the familiar set of faces that has helped Bayern to a lot of wins this year.

The front attacking three is Franck Ribery, Robert Lewandowski, and Arjen Robben. Kingsley Coman did not make the squad for this match, so all the depth off the bench will come in the form of Douglas Costa. (Thomas Müller isn’t a wide player, hush.)

Just behind them is the trio of Thiago Alcantara, Xabi Alonso, and Arturo Vidal. Most of the creativity pressure will fall on the shoulders of Thiago. If he’s not on his game, Bayern could struggle to generate quality chances.

Defensively it’s the back four that has seen Bayern to many wins this season. David Alaba and Philipp Lahm are at the two fullback positions, while Mats Hummels and Javi Martinez anchor the center. Sven Ulreich, of course, is in goal.

Borussia Dortmund

Thomas Tuchel has settled on a 4-3-3 that will leave a lot of pressure on the midfield three to put together an extremely solid 90 minutes to come away with the three points.

It probably wasn’t too difficult for Tuchel to pick his attacking three. Marco Reus, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and Ousmane Dembele are a threat with their speed that will keep the Bayern backline on their toes throughout.

The midfield trio of Gonzalo Castro, Julian Weigl, and Raphael Guerreiro will have their work cut out for them in not getting run over by the more experienced trio of Alcantara, Alonso, and Vidal. If they can hold their ground, expect this one to be close.

Defensively, it’s about what you’d expect from Dortmund. Marcel Schmelzer and Lukas Piszczek at the fullback positions, and Sokratis Papastathopoulos and Sven Bender anchoring the centerback positions. Roman Bürki is in goal.