RB Leipzig 1-4 Borussia Dortmund, DFB Pokal Final: Initial reactions and observations

Initial reactions and observations

• Leipzig just cannot score. For all the chances they had, Julian Nagelsmann’s men lacked the clinical finishing of Erling Haaland and Jadon Sancho, and that’s what made the difference.
• Edin Terzic has to take a bow. What the man has done since taking over for Lucien Favre is nothing short of amazing. Now if he can just get Dortmund to qualify for the Champions League, everything will be alright.
• Bayern fans will be worried by the performances of Julian Nagelsmann and Dayot Upamecano in this game. Neither of them were very good, and it’ll weigh heavily on the fanbase in the buildup to next season.

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FT: BVB win the cup!

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87’ — Goal! That’s it for Leipzig! Sancho breaks through on a counter and assists Haaland for the winner! 4-1 to BVB.

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71’ — Goal! Life signs from Leipzig? Olmo fires home to make it 3-1!

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45’ — The second half is underway! Can Leipzig keep it from becoming a bloodbath?

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Halftime observations and analysis

• Terrible half from Leipzig and especially Upamecano. Two of the goals were down to his mistakes.
• No goals so far from RB, and they seem to have no real threat up front. Losing Werner hurt them so badly, and it’s becoming apparent now.
• Dortmund have been seriously impressive. Terzic’s gameplan has been perfect, plus Sancho, Reus, and Haaland really stepped their game up today. They’ve ripped Leipzig apart without mercy.

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Halftime: BVB lead 3-0 at the half. Game over basically.

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45’ — GOAL! Sancho makes it 3-0 after a defensive calamity from Leipzig. Awful day at the office for them.

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27’ — GOAL! Damn, what a goal by Haaland! Leipzig lead 2-0 now. He completely destroyed Upamecano in the 1v1.

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4’ — GOAL! Sancho makes it 1-0 for BVB.

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Kickoff: We’re underway! Who will win the Pokal?

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One hour until kickoff: We have lineups! From BVB:

And meanwhile Leipzig:

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Even though Bayern Munich aren’t involved in this year’s edition of the DFB Pokal Final, there’s plenty to talk about as a neutral fan. Arguably the two next best teams in Germany will be duking it out for a shot at some elusive silverware, and the outcome could determine their place in the power rankings for the future.

Will Julian Naglesmann and RB Leipzig come out on top? Or will Borussia Dortmund retain their crown as Bayern’s foremost challenger in Germany? Discuss all that and more below.

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Match Info

Location: Olympiastadion, Berlin, Germany

Time: 8:45 pm local time, 2:45 pm EST

TV/streaming: YouTube, ESPN+, Find Your Country

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