HEBC vs Dortmund Preview: Kovac to make raft of changes
Borussia Dortmund begin their quest for a sixth DFB-Pokal trophy on Tuesday away to fifth-tier side HEBC at the Volksparkstadion.
The fixture was delayed due to Dortmund's participation in the Franz Beckenbauer Supercup with Bayern Munich earlier this month.
Now with the kick-off just over 24 hours away, Die Borussen will be looking to build on their last win, coming against Hamburg in their opening game of the 2026-27 Bundesliga season.
Serhou Guirassy and debutant Giannis Konstantelias were on target to hand the side a 2-0 victory, although Konstantelias later went off injured in the game and Samuele Inacio was also sent off.
Attention now turns towards the domestic cup, which has eluded the side since 2021. In fact, they haven't progressed beyond the Round of 16 of the tournament in the last three editions.
Moreover, you'll have to go all the way back to 2005-06 season for the last time Dortmund were beaten in the first round as Eintracht Braunschweig came from behind to beat them 2-1.
Head coach Niko Kovac is expected to make wholesale changes to his side from the one that started on Saturday, with substitutes and a few reserves in line to start.
As for HEBC, the Hamburg side are contesting in just their second DFB-Pokal as clinching a historic first Hamburg Cup earlier this year sealed their passage here.
HEBC vs Borussia Dortmund Team News
HEBC have a full-fledged squad to choose from with no injury concerns. As such, head coach Philipp Obloch might field his best XI with goalkeeper Nils Ahmann taking his place between the sticks.
As for Dortmund, Emre Can and Nico Schlotterbeck remain out with long-term injuries while Konstantelias will also remain sidelined for months after suffering a torn ACL at the weekend.
Kovac is expected to make numerous changes to his XI here, with Fabio Silva in contention to start for the first time this season whereas Enzo Duarte could get a chance in midfield too.
Summer signings Joey Veerman and Kaua Prates are in line for their first official starts with Dortmund.
HEBC vs Borussia Dortmund Predicted Lineups
HEBC: Nils Ahmann; Bastian Stech, Janek Wrede, Julius Stegemann; Lionel von Zitzewitz, Laurel Aug, Semir Demirovic, Piet Oldag, Jorma Eggers; Meraja Magens, Luca Verago.
Borussia Dortmund: Silas Ostrzinski; Luca Reggiani, Filippo Mane, Kaua Prates; Musa Kaba, Enzo Duarte, Joey Veerman, Maximilian Beier; Konstantinos Karetsas, Fabio Silva, Mathis Albert.
HEBC vs Borussia Dortmund Prediction
Despite the raft of changes, Dortmund are widely expected to cruise to a comfortable victory against the amateur side.
Prediction: HEBC 0-4 Borussia Dortmund
Today's best reads
"It was a perfect half"- Dortmund defender opens up on Hamburg win
Niko Kovac delighted with Dortmund's fast start in Hamburg win
Borussia Dortmund 2-0 Hamburg: Talking points as BVB make winning start to Bundesliga season
"Bad changes as always" - Fans rip into Niko Kovac as BVB beat Hamburg 2-0 in Bundesliga opener
Winners and losers for Borussia Dortmund from Supercup loss to Bayern Munich
