Rot-Weiss Essen will have their work cut out against Borussia Dortmund in the DFB Pokal on Monday night.
Borussia Dortmund kick off their 2025/26 campaign in the DFB-Pokal with a first-round trip to third-division outfit Rot-Weiss Essen on Monday night at the Stadion an der Hafenstrasse. The Black and Yellows are eyeing their sixth triumph in the competition, but they will first need to overcome a spirited lower-league opponent with a proud home record.
Rot-Weiss Essen enter this clash having already played two matches in the 3. Liga, sitting 12th in the standings after back-to-back draws, the latest a 1-1 result against TSV Havelse. While Uwe Koschinat’s men have found the net in each of their last five competitive outings, defensive lapses remain a concern, as they have failed to keep a clean sheet in six straight fixtures.
Their DFB-Pokal record has been underwhelming in recent years. Last season, they bowed out in the opening round with a 4-1 defeat to RB Leipzig, and another early exit on Monday would make it three first-round eliminations in a row. Still, Essen boast an impressive run of 11 games unbeaten at home, winning seven of those, though they have only managed two clean sheets during that stretch.
For Borussia Dortmund, this encounter marks the start of a new chapter under head coach Niko Kovac, who replaced Nuri Sahin midway through last season. The Black and Yellows secured a fourth-place Bundesliga finish in 2024/25, collecting 54 points. They ended the campaign with the league’s third-best attack (71 goals scored) and a joint-sixth ranked defense (51 conceded).
In the DFB-Pokal, Dortmund have not lifted the trophy since their 2021 triumph. Since then, their journeys have ended in the quarter-finals once, the round of 16 on two occasions, and the second round once. Kovac’s task is to restore their cutting edge in knockout football.
Dortmund’s summer preparations featured a mix of Club World Cup fixtures and pre-season friendlies, producing five wins and a draw across eight games. Their away form at the end of last season was inconsistent, losing twice in their final six trips but finishing strongly with consecutive victories on the road.
The two clubs have only met four times, three of those in friendlies. Borussia Dortmund hold the upper hand with three wins, while Rot-Weiss Essen will be motivated to create history with their first competitive victory in this fixture.
Essen’s attacking momentum and strong home support give them belief, but their defensive frailties could be exploited by Dortmund’s firepower. Kovac is likely to rotate his squad, but even a second-string Dortmund side carries significant quality compared to their third-tier hosts. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how both sides could line up and what tactics they might employ on the day.
Team News & Tactics
Rot-Weiss Essen
Rot-Weiss Essen manager Uwe Koschinat has no fresh injury or suspension concerns heading into the clash with Borussia Dortmund, giving him the luxury of selecting from a fully fit squad. That stability could prove crucial as the third-division side looks to cause an upset against top-flight opposition.
In midfield, Tom Moustier and Klaus Gjasula are expected to anchor the team, tasked with providing defensive cover while also helping to link play into more advanced areas. Their work rate and ability to shield the backline will be vital if Essen are to withstand Dortmund’s attacking threats. Ahead of them, Ahmet Arslan and Torben Musel are likely to support lead striker Dominik Martinovic, offering creativity and penetration between the lines.
Defensively, Koschinat has often relied on a three-man backline, and that approach is again set to be deployed. Jose-Enrique Rios Alonso, Michael Schultz and Tobias Kraulich are the leading candidates to form the defensive trio. They will sit in front of goalkeeper Felix Wienand, who is expected to start between the posts. On the flanks, Ramien Safi and Franci Bouebari are likely to operate as wing-backs, providing both width in attack and cover when out of possession.
Koschinat’s side should therefore line up in a 3-4-2-1 formation. Felix Wienand will take his place in goal, shielded by the back three of Jose-Enrique Rios Alonso, Michael Schultz and Tobias Kraulich. Ramien Safi and Franci Bouebari will occupy the wing-back roles, while Tom Moustier and Klaus Gjasula are set to control the central midfield. In advanced midfield, Ahmet Arslan and Torben Musel will look to supply service and movement around lone striker Dominik Martinovic, who is expected to spearhead the attack.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Wienand; Alonso, Schultz, Kraulich; Safi, Moustier, Gjasula, Bouebari; Arslan, Musel; Martinovic
Borussia Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund manager Niko Kovac will be forced to reshuffle his defensive unit for the DFB-Pokal opener. Central defenders Niklas Sule and Nico Schlotterbeck are both sidelined through injury, ruling them out of contention for the trip to Essen. Apart from those setbacks, Dortmund do not have any new suspension concerns, allowing Kovač to field a strong side as they look to avoid an early cup scare.
In attack, the spotlight will once again fall on Serhou Guirassy, who enjoyed a prolific 2024/25 campaign with 34 goals in all competitions. He is likely to be partnered by Karim Adeyemi, whose pace and direct running will provide an added dimension to Dortmund’s forward line. Behind them, Jobe Bellingham and Pascal Gross are expected to take on the dual role of supporting the strikers and linking midfield to attack, while Marcel Sabitzer should operate in a deeper role to provide defensive cover and control.
Defensively, Kovac is expected to opt for a three-man backline. With Niklas Sule and Nico Schlotterbeck unavailable, Filippo Mane, Waldemar Anton and Ramy Bensebaini are the leading candidates to marshal the defence. Wing-back responsibilities will fall to Julian Ryerson on the right and Daniel Svensson on the left, both tasked with providing width going forward and defensive solidity when Dortmund are without the ball. Behind them, Gregor Kobel will maintain his role as the first-choice goalkeeper.
As a result, Dortmund are likely to line up in a 3-5-2 formation. Gregor Kobel will start in goal, protected by the defensive trio of Filippo Mane, Waldemar Anton, and Ramy Bensebaini. Julian Ryerson and Daniel Svensson should operate as wing-backs, while Marcel Sabitzer will anchor the midfield just ahead of the defence.
On either side of him, Pascal Gross and Jobe Bellingham are expected to push forward and dictate play in advanced areas. Up front, Serhou Guirassy will spearhead the attack alongside Karim Adeyemi, forming a partnership that combines power with pace.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Kobel; Mane, Anton, Bensebaini; Ryerson, Gross, Sabitzer, Bellingham, Svensson; Guirassy, Adeyemi
Key Stats
- Rot-Weiss Essen and Borussia Dortmund have met four times in their history. Three of those encounters were friendlies, with Dortmund winning three and Essen yet to claim a victory in the fixture.
- Essen have been knocked out in the first round of the DFB-Pokal in each of the last two seasons. Another defeat here would make it three successive opening-round exits.
- Despite their cup difficulties, Essen are unbeaten in their last 11 home matches in all competitions, winning seven of those. However, they have only kept two clean sheets during that run.
- Dortmund last lifted the DFB-Pokal in the 2020/21 season. Since then, they have suffered exits in the quarter-finals once, the round of 16 twice, and the second round once.
- Rot-Weiss Essen have scored in each of their last five competitive matches, but they have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last six.
Player to Watch
Jobe Bellingham
All eyes will be on Jobe Bellingham as Borussia Dortmund begin their DFB-Pokal campaign. The 19-year-old midfielder has been steadily growing in influence since joining the club and is expected to play a more prominent role under Niko Kovac this season. Operating in central midfield, Bellingham brings a blend of composure, vision and attacking drive that makes him a valuable link between defence and attack.
While still developing his game, Jobe Bellingham has shown flashes of creativity and maturity beyond his years, often dictating tempo and finding pockets of space to exploit. Against lower-league opposition like Rot-Weiss Essen, he will have the platform to demonstrate his technical quality and eye for a decisive pass. His ability to combine with forwards such as Serhou Guirassy and Karim Adeyemi could be key in breaking down a compact defensive unit.
With Dortmund aiming for a deep run in the competition, Bellingham will be eager to make a statement early. A strong performance here could cement his place in Kovac’s plans and mark him out as one of the players to watch not only in this tie, but in the club’s entire cup journey.
Prediction
Rot-Weiss Essen 1-3 Borussia Dortmund
Rot-Weiss Essen will not make life easy, especially at home, but Dortmund’s superior squad depth and attacking options should see them through comfortably. Expect the hosts to put up a fight, perhaps even scoring, but the Bundesliga giants are unlikely to stumble at the first hurdle.
