Borussia Dortmund might not be in contention for the Bundesliga title this season, but they will still look to finish the year with a trophy in their hands by winning the German Cup. Standing in their way in the semifinals are the mighty Bayern Munich, who will look to complete a double by adding the DFB Pokal to their inevitable Bundesliga title.
Both these clubs suffered disappointment in Europe last week, when they were dumped out of the Champions League in the quarterfinals stage.
Dortmund could not overcome the youthful exuberance of Monaco, while Bayern were undone by the defending champions Real Madrid in a controversial tie.
Bayern looked a little hung over from that disappointing exit when they needed a late equaliser to salvage a draw against Mainz in the Bundesliga, but Carlo Ancelotti will know his team cannot afford another such performance against Dortmund in the semifinals of the German Cup at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday.
"We are ready," Ancelotti, whose side are winless in their last four matches, said. "It is a big game for us. I think the game against Real (Madrid) cost us a lot of energy. But we have put it behind us and are now focused only on Dortmund."
Dortmund will feel, after the dreadful attack on their team bus, just before the first leg of the game against Monaco was scheduled, that they deserve a chance at some joy at the end of the season. And what better way to make it to the final in Berlin than by beating your biggest rivals in the Der Klassiker.
"This is a big dream for us," Dortmund manager Thomas Tuchel said. "We want to get there again – and we want to win when we get there. But in order to do that we have to overcome the biggest hurdle there is."
Dortmund didn't deal with that particular hurdle too well when these two sides met at the Allianz Arena in the Bundesliga earlier this month, with Bayern going on to win 4-1.
Nur noch 2️⃣4️⃣ Stunden! #packmas #FCBBVB ? pic.twitter.com/LrckuJYWRg
— FC Bayern München (@FCBayern) April 25, 2017
Tuchel, though, feels that this will be a different match, with Dortmund having a few of their key players back from injury, including Marco Reus.
"They (Bayern) have not had the results that they are used to," Tuchel added. "There is a different set of cards on the table now. We have a few key players back compared to when we played them in the league. We have been there and we have learned our lesson."
The winner of this semifinal will meet Eintracht Frankfurt in the final after a dramatic penalty shootout win over Borussia Monchengladbach on Tuesday.
Where and when to watch live
Bayern vs Dortmund is set to begin at 8.45pm CET (7.45pm BST, 2.45pm ET, 12.15am IST). TV and live streaming information below.
India: TV: Ten 2 and Ten 1 HD. Live Streaming: Sonyliv.
Germany: TV: Sky Sport 1. Live Streaming: Sky Go Germany.
UK: TV: BT Sport 3.
USA: TV: ESPN 2 and ESPN Deportes. Live Streaming: Watch ESPN.
Australia, Middle East, Spain: TV: Bein Sports. Live Streaming: Bein Sports Connect.
