The quarterfinals of the 2012-13 DFB Pokal are this week, and there are two extremely tantalizing matches between Bundesliga teams. Of course, all the eyes will be focused in Munich for Wednesday’s showdown between the Bundesliga’s two elite sides, but the other matches are definitely worth keeping your eye on.
DFB Pokal, Quarterfinal: BVB travel to Munich for massive showdown
Unfortunately for the three other matches in the quarterfinals of the 2012-13 DFB Pokal, but all of the attention will be focused on Bayern Munich hosting Borussia Dortmund.
Tuesday, February 26
Mainz vs Freiburg
19:00 CET / 1:00 PM ET - Coface Arena, Mainz, Germany
This is the first match of two in the quarterfinals that features two Bundesliga sides. Before we get into discussing the teams, the two managers must be applauded for the outstanding work that they have done. Thomas Tuchel and Christian Streich have done marvelous jobs this season, and both have their clubs in prime position for a European place at the end of this campaign. The real matchup in this one is seeing if Adam Szalai can score on this Freiburg defense. If the matches play out like the two earlier this season, then the answer is no.
Prediction: Mainz 0 - 1 Freiburg
Kickers Offenbach vs Wolfsburg
20:30 CET / 2:30 PM ET - Sparda Bank Hessen Stadium, Offenbach am Main, Germany
The fairy tale run of the 3.Liga side will come to a screeching halt in their home stadium on Tuesday at the hands of Dieter Hecking and Wolfsburg. They’re struggling in the third division and, while they may keep things close for awhile, it could get out of hand.
Prediction: Kickers Offenbach 0 - 2 Wolfsburg
Wednesday, February 27
Stuttgart vs Bochum
19:00 CET / 1:00 PM ET - Mercedes Benz Arena, Stuttgart, Germany
It hasn’t been the best league campaign to date for Stuttgart, but they’re the only Bundesliga club out of four to advance to the next knockout round in the Europa League. However, their problems in the league are two fold. First, they’re in the bottom five in scoring goals. Second, only three teams have conceded more goals. Yeesh. They have been playing better as of late, and they do have the talent to get by Bochum. For a team languishing extremely close to being relegated to the 3.Liga, Bochum sure have made it far in this thing. They’ve also managed to not play a Bundesliga team yet. Sorry, Bochum. Your run in this thing is finished.
Prediction: Stuttgart 2 - 0 Bochum
Bayern Munich vs Borussia Dortmund
20:30 CET / 2:30 PM ET - Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany
We’re getting last year’s final in the quarterfinals this year, when Borussia Dortmund travel to the Allianz Arena to face Bayern Munich. There is zero doubt that the Bavarians are the favorites heading into the match. They haven’t lost since October 28 and are on an incredible run of form right now. Since returning from the winter break, they’ve outscored their opponents 22-2 in all competitions. That’s insane. BVB will take heart in the fact that they haven’t lost to Bayern in a competitive match since the 2009-10 season. While they’ve been shaky defensively at times this season, there is no doubting the talent that Jürgen Klopp can throw on the pitch. BVB’s front four of Robert Lewandowski, Marco Reus, Mario Götze, and Jakub Blaszczykowski are as good as anything that Bayern can claim. It’ll be a tight affair in Munich.
Prediction: Bayern Munich 2 - 1 Borussia Dortmund
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