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Leverkusen / Frankfurt (dpa) - It's a duel between the cup specialists: If Bayer Leverkusen and Eintracht Frankfurt determine the penultimate round of 16 in the DFB Cup this Tuesday (8.45 p.m. / Sky), both will already have the dream of Berlin in the Back of the head.
Because both teams know from the recent past what it feels like to play a final in the DFB Cup.
The Hessians reached it in 2017 and won it in 2018, the Rhinelander reached the final last July.
The defeat (2: 4) there annoyed coach Peter Bosz, even though his team was defeated by Bayern Munich.
But the ambition to take the missing step this time is great for the Dutchman.
"We saw what it does to the team when you play a final," said Bosz on Monday.
And then the 57-year-old added with a laugh: “But when you play a final, you want to win it.
So let's say: this time we want to win it too. "
His colleague Adi Hütter also sees “a competition that suits the Frankfurters” and said: “Of course, titles are to be won, something special.
And it's easier in the cup. "
Hütter, who came in 2018, was not in the final with Eintracht.
Last year he just lost to Bayern in the semi-finals, but in Austria he won the trophy as a player and coach.
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It is curious that the next opponent of the winner has already been determined.
And with Rot-Weiss Essen it is a scare of favorites, but also the biggest outsider in the competition.
The way to the quarter-finals seems paved.
But nobody has officially dealt with food.
"In all honesty, I only found out two days ago who our next opponent would be," said Bosz: "But it doesn't make sense to think about it if you can't progress against Frankfurt.
And we need all the energy for this game. "
In any case, mutual respect is great.
At Bayer, which again has to do without exceptional talent Florian Wirtz (17) due to an overload reaction, the frustration of the 1: 2 defeat in the league ten days before the renewed duel is still deep.
«Frankfurt is a very good opponent.
Above all, we can say that because we were right to lose there, "said Bosz:" But like there you hopefully only play once a year, because that wasn't good.
On Tuesday we have the chance to do better. "
Eintracht has accordingly self-confidence, but is still cautious.
"Leverkusen is a difficult lot," said Hütter: "And they know that after three games without a win they are under pressure."
Eintracht is still missing Filip Kostic, who was banned from four cup games in the quarter-finals against Bremen almost a year ago after his red card.
"It's really tough when you think how long it can take in the end," said Hütter.
The Croatian would also be banned from eating.
After that - and especially in a possible final - he would be there again.
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The 2nd round at a glance
The round of 16 at a glance