On To The Next Round Of The Pokal...3-0 vs Wily Wilhelmshaven

BVB Party On To The Next Round: Milwaukee favorite Kevin Grosskreutz scores the game-winning goal!!! Prost Kevin!!!

It took Dortmund all of 70 minutes to break the deadlock and shatter the dreams of the battling side from the fourth division, but BVB eventually went on to a deserved 3-0 victory. And it was the Dortmund aficionado Kevin Grosskreutz who finally put Dortmund at ease, with a well-placed strike into the bottom corner.  Super-sub Jonas Hofmann provided two assists to Ducksch and Lewandowski, who both coolly slotted home.

1. BVB MKE Hero - Echte Liebe lebt von Leidenschaft.

Overall, it was a boring affair with the team from the Regionalliga Nord placing everyone behind the ball, often packing their whole team into their defensive third.  It was really only a matter of time before they caved, but they battled bravely against a much better opposition it must be said.  Their new coach had them focusing on four things: Ordnung, Disciplin, Leidenschaft, Wille (Order, Discipline, Passion, Will).  They put in a courageous display but it would have been all over much sooner had it not been for a few nice saves, most notably denying a well-struck Sahin free kick and an Aubameyang header.  Auba wasted a few chances, but was unlucky not to score a first ever goal in the DFB-Pokal.

Klopp must be credited with a masterclass move in bringing on Ducksch, who got involved right away, setting up Grosskreutz after quick thinking from Ilkay Gundogan, who played a quick free kick.  Ducksch put the ball in a dangerous area and it eventually bounced its way to Grosskreutz who smashed in a fierce volley from the edge of the area that left the keeper with no chance.  Another substitute would be involved just 13 minutes later as BvB made it two, a great ball from the pass master Nuri Sahin springing Jonas Hofmann free down the right, who patiently waited for the open man and found fellow youngster Marvin Ducksch, who couldn't miss and tapped in for the easy goal. Most impressive from Ducksch was his typical cool reaction to scoring, as if he expects it.  A small pump of the fist and a subtle grin to J-Hof. All business.  And minutes later, just before the end of the match, Hofmann again showed why Klopp chose to bring him on, played through this time by fellow sub Sven Bender. Hofmann played quickly to the streaking Pole, and Lewandowski took a touch to settle before showing a touch of class and cleverly lifting the ball past the onrushing goalkeeper, who after a solid performance will be a little red in the face watching the replay.

With all the talk about Dortmund's new signings, something should be said here about its own talent coming through.  Jonas Hofmann is showing why we were willing to let go of Leo Bittencourt, with another top performance, chalking up more assists to his name after a solid performance against Wuerzburg.  And Marvin Ducksch managed to find the net for the third time in two matches, again showing maturity for his age and celebrating as if he is used to scoring goals.  Both players could be ones to watch this season, even if they aren't as big of names as some of the new boys...

PERFORMANCE EVALUATIONS:

LANGERAK - Great match for him to watch. Did nothing all game, except on huge save in a 1v1 that really saved our asses!!!

SUBOTIC - Solid as ever, unlucky not to score with his head. Almost won a penalty!

HUMMELS - Absolute beast. Wilhelmshaven had only one chance the entire game. Mats, Mats, Mats!

SCHMELLE - Schmelzer put in a shift, looked dangerous getting forward. Definitely could have provided better service and pushed forward more down the left, however, as we should have ended the contest much sooner.

***GROSSKREUTZ - One of the top performers of the day - 1. BVB MKE's fan favorite and today's Player of the Spiel, KG19.  Playing at right back, he was solid defensively and a real threat going forward as well, as he proved with his important goal in the 70th minute. Kevin looked at home at that position, and could very well be our solution to the problem of missing Piszczek due to injury.  Some have talked of new signing Sokratis there, but after today it may be difficult to edge out local legend Kevin Grosskreutz, who took the club on his back and scored the decisive goal that finally broke the backs of the stubborn, hard-tackling lower-league opposition. We love you KG19.

KEHL - The skipper was a real presence, dominating the midfield and stopping any moves from developing.

SAHIN - Runner-up for Player of the Spiel, a classy performance from the Dortmunder Jung.  He was creative and nearly scored from a great free kick.  It was his Traumpass (dream pass) that sent Hofmann through leading up to the second goal as well, to cap off another great performance for Nuri.

REUS - A quiet day and he probably will look back on today a wee bit disappointed.  A player of his calibre should have caused the lower league side more problems, but then again, there was very little space for our attackers as they just packed everyone behind the ball and defended tooth and nail.  Hopefully, today's frustration will motivate him to perform in the opening match of the Bundesliga campaign.

GUNDOGAN - Has really come in to his own at BVB.  Heavily criticized early in his BVB career by yours truly, it is now obvious why many are talking about his player as one of the top midfielders in Europe.  Always getting on the ball and pressing forward, Ilkay is an intelligent player who reads the game very well.  His clever quick free kick led to the second goal and completely killed the opposing team's spirit.  Another great display for Gundogan.

AUBAMEYANG - A real threat going forward.  He was our most active attacker, getting on the end of crosses and looked the most likely to score.  A few great saves from the impressive Aaron Siegl denied the man from Gabon a first ever goal in the Pokal and he was a bit unlucky not to be on the scoresheet today. His finishing was a bit wasteful though at times, and he'll be hoping to be more confident and lethal in front of goal in future appearances.

LEWANDOWSKI - Aside from popping up in the 90th minute to score a goal with an ice cool finish, the Pole looked off a step today.  He didn't really seem to get involved and wasn't getting on the end of crosses often enough, Aubameyang instead often the target.  That might be down to him playing on the edge of the opposition's penalty area, a space they crowded with as many bodies as possible.  So you can't be too harsh on him, a difficult day to be a lone striker.  And as all good strikers manage to do, he found the net in the end and silenced his critics.  Hopefully the first of many for him this year...

DUCKSCH - This young man is earning a lot of respect amongst the ranks of 1. BVB MKE.  His mean look and cool celebrations are making him a fan favorite for the fan club.  Marvin seems to be scoring against lower opposition which should be a huge confidence boost.  With Julian Schieber struggling to fit in at Dortmund, Ducksch may be earning more time this season if he is able to keep finding the net.  His brace against Wuerzburg included a nice volley, but another tap in finish.  These are easy goals, but he seems to find himself in the right place at the right time, an instinct, an uncanny ability that all goalscorers seem to have.  1. BVB MKE is especially excited to develop this player in FIFA ULTIMATE TEAM next year in FIFA 14. EA SPORTS should get their shtuff together and make sure he has a card. I'd give him low silver. Why not? A bright future for Marvelous Marvin.

HOFMANN - Super-sub Jonas Hofmann can do no wrong. He again created goals with his intricate passing and he even looks at times like a former young Dortmund prodigy who recently fell off a bridge, never to be spoken of again.  His patience in picking out the easy pass to set up Ducksch showed great awareness and maturity.  His quick pass to play Lewandowski clear through showed vision and attacking instincts.  This is a player who may turn into a great.  He has great potential and seems to be showing great development. Working with Klopp will only help nurture this top talent, who seems to be an even better prospect than Bittencourt.  Jonas Hofmann will play an important role for BVB in 2013-2014. A real spark off the bench, with a touch of class. Watch this player.

BENDER - He only came on for a short shift, the last ten minutes or so, but made an immediate impact.  Sven set up the attack for the third goal with a nice pass to Hofmann, making sure that all three of Klopp's introductions to today's match got involved in the goals.  A nice little rest for Sven, who will be integral to our success this season.