In the pre-match press conference, a reporter had asked Klopp how he planned to contain Wolfsburg's prodigy, Mark, who had come on as a substitute in the previous match, caused a red card, and delivered a game-tying assist.
Klopp's reply was equally mysterious and confident:
"Mark's footwork is exceptional, and he is indeed an excellent player. However, I believe my players can contain him!"
At the time, he had already arranged for Piszczek to specifically mark Mark.
However, what he didn't expect was that his opponent also realized this.
Judging from the previous encounter, among Dortmund's defenders, only Piszczek could defend against Mark.
Therefore, Hecking was also very cunning.
"Oh, if Piszczek defends the left, I'll have Mark play on the right. If he defends the right, I'll have Mark play on the left."
"The point is, Piszczek will not be directly matched against Mark!"
Exploiting the opponent's weak points is something every team does.
This is what you call a damn tactic!
The tactical chess match between head coaches is like an undercurrent beneath a calm sea.
However, the direct confrontations between players are the passionate clash of waves!
For the players of both sides, the German Cup was the only championship trophy they could compete for this season!
Moreover, both teams were in excellent form in the League and had basically secured their Champions League tickets for next season.
Therefore, right from the start, neither side held back, launching into an all-out attacking battle!
Borussia Dortmund's main attacking direction was the left wing, where Reus played.
In the previous National Derby, Dortmund had relied on Reus's goal and assist to thoroughly humiliate their arch-rivals Bayern and Guardiola.
And the red-hot Little Rocket was, of course, the most threatening player in the Dortmund squad.
When he received the ball on the wing, he would attract two defenders. Even so, he would use his nimble dribbling to cut inside, either curling a shot towards the far corner or playing a one-two with the striker.
And Lewandowski, the striker who was rested in the previous match, was full of energy for this game.
Besides combining with Reus in attack, repeatedly taking shots and threatening Benaglio, he also frequently pressed Wolfsburg's two center-backs, Naldo and Klose, in the opposition's half.
Fortunately, Arnold and Gustavo frequently dropped back to receive the ball, preventing the build-up play from the back from becoming too difficult.
And coincidentally, Wolfsburg's main attacking direction was also the left wing!
Mark received the ball on the left wing, facing Dortmund's young player Drmic.
Although called a young player, Drmic had made a name for himself earlier than Mark and was also three years his senior.
However, in front of Mark's brilliant footwork, neither fame nor age could prevent the cruel fact of him being dribbled past!
"Mark faces Drmic again…"
"Beautiful step-over!"
"He's past him!"
After a simple feint to the left and burst to the right to get past Drmic, Mark dribbled inside. As Sahin pressed forward, he immediately passed the ball, playing a one-two with De Bruyne in the center!
Successfully getting past Sahin and reaching the edge of the penalty area, Mark took a glance at Weidenfeller's positioning and then immediately unleashed a shot!
The curve produced by the instep was extremely tricky, but the power was slightly lacking, and Weidenfeller directly dived to his side and collected the ball.
Although this wave of attack failed to produce a goal.
However, such fluid passing and movement also earned rounds of applause from the away fans.
At this moment, the live broadcast camera also showed Germany's head coach Löw and assistant coach Flick in the stands.
In this match, Germany's top two figures had both come to watch the game.
Their purpose, naturally, was to scout several German internationals in the Borussia Dortmund squad.
However, in addition to the Dortmund internationals, they also had to scout Wolfsburg's prodigy, Mark Lane, who had burst onto the scene in recent months!
"In this match, Löw and his assistant are also present to watch."
"And for Mark Lane, it is also a crucial match."
"According to national team insiders, Löw greatly admires this eighteen-year-old talent and is very likely to call him up to the squad, taking him to Brazil…"
What the commentator said was not groundless.
In fact, as early as the national team matches in March, Löw had called up many newcomers who had not previously played for the national team.
At that time, at Flick's recommendation and with media praise, Löw had even considered issuing a call-up to Wolfsburg's young prodigy Mark.
However, considering that the team was truly overstocked in the winger position, he did not actually call up Mark.
However, seeing Mark's play in person again also made Löw's eyes light up.
"Beautiful dribbling, and his decision-making after dribbling is also very reasonable and mature. He doesn't seem like an eighteen-year-old at all!"
Upon hearing this, Flick, who was beside him, nodded and then said:
"Joachim (Löw), have you noticed that this kid's acceleration seems to have gotten faster!"
"Hmm, I noticed that too."
Löw merely stared intently at the black-haired teenager on the field, already beginning to simulate Mark's positioning and tactical role in the national team in his mind.
Compared to before, Mark's explosiveness had clearly increased.
This made his dribbling even more unpredictable.
It should be known that Drmic is already a very outstanding defender in his age group, and his speed and fighting spirit are commendable. He once faced Real Madrid's two wing maestros, Bale and Di María, in this season's Champions League Round of 16, and was not at all outmatched.
He is also regarded by many media as a potential candidate for the future starting left-back of the national team, even being dubbed the "Lahm successor."
However, in front of Mark's deceptive feints and elegant changes of pace, he was like a helpless wooden post, being dribbled past again and again!
Fast full-backs are often afraid of wingers who have good footwork and like to change their rhythm.
Because the opponent's sudden accelerations and decelerations will make them change speed frequently, and will also put greater pressure on their knees!
In the first thirty minutes of the first half, the most active players were the left wingers of both teams.
This match was as if Mark was using his performance on the wing to prove to everyone:
This so-called "New Reus" of mine is not at all inferior to the True Reus!
Although the game was open and expansive, it was, after all, a cup match where the winner takes all.
Both sides were also very focused on defense, trying to nip any threats in the bud.
As a result, there were attacks and defenses from both sides, and quite a few shots, but no goals were scored.
It wasn't until the forty-third minute that the deadlock was finally broken!
Mark broke through with the ball on the left wing. Drmic, who had already been turned into a sieve, finally couldn't help but reach out and pull.
Mark naturally fell with the momentum.
With a "beep," the referee blew his whistle and at the same time showed Drmic a yellow card.
Drmic also shook his head helplessly and retreated.
Mark, meanwhile, took De Bruyne's hands and stood up.
"Wolfsburg has a good free-kick opportunity on the left side of the attacking half."
"Rodriguez is still taking it."
"The penalty area is crowded with as many as seven Wolfsburg players…"
Facing the most efficient team in set-piece attacks this season, the Dortmund players were also on high alert.
"Mark your man!"
"Concentrate!"
Even Mark, who was feigning an attack at the near post, was tightly marked by Drmic.
After observing the positioning of the players in the penalty area, Rodriguez didn't hesitate for a moment and directly lofted the ball towards the back post area.
Among the crowd, Naldo outjumped Hummels, rising high to win the first header.
However, due to Hummels' interference, his header couldn't go directly towards the goal, but was slightly off target.
The ball flew towards the unmanned area at the near post.
However, just when everyone thought the ball would go wide of the post, a white figure suddenly appeared.
It was Mark!
His black hair swayed in the wind as he headed the ball!