Borussia Dortmund and VfL Wolfsburg have had an impressive season, the former continuing to enthrall at the highest level and the latter making inroads into the top four in Germany. Unfortunately for both sides, silverware has been hard to come by. With the Bundesliga title race done and dusted and European football proving a step too far for Dortmund, the DFB Pokal remained the only hope of glory.

Coming into this game on the back of two memorable results, 2-0 against Real Madrid and 3-0 against Bayern Munich, Jürgen Klopp decided to keep things as simple as possible with his lineup. The only surprise was Milos Jojic over Nuri Sahin, but given the Serbian internationals super showing against Madrid and Sahin’s excessive use this season, the choice seemed justified.

Dieter Hecking, without Ricardo Rodriguez and Max Grün, also fielded the best possible side available to him. Former Dortmund man, Ivan Perisic, started on the left side of attack while the other flank was manned by none other than Kevin de Bruyne.

This hugely important game began with a lull. The only major source of excitement for the first ten minutes was a characteristic crunching challenge from Luis Gustavo that earned the Brazilian a yellow card. There was attacking intent shown by both sides but the lethality in the final third was lacking.

The deadlock was finally broken in the 12th minute when a pass from Marco Reus found Henrikh Mkhitaryan at the edge of the box. The Armenian cut in from the right, beating one defender and unleashing a low shot through the legs of Naldo and past an outstretched Grün. The roaring Signal Iduna Park was duly awarded for its unbelievable support.

Dortmund began to build on their opener, looking the more dangerous side for the next ten minutes. Wolfsburg’s comeback seemed imminent thereafter, with Ivica Olic and Perisic looking most threatening. Persistent pressure from Junior Malanda in midfield allowed Perisic to put de Bruyne through on goal, but the Belgian’s strike was hit straight at Roman Weidenfeller.

Over hit crosses into Dortmund's penalty area were aplenty, a clear sign that Wolfsburg were far from backing off just yet. A Christian Träsch cross finally found Malanda in the box, but the 19-year-old’s header could only find the post.

Wolfsburg’s inefficiency was punished just before the half time whistle by none other than Robert Lewandowski. A quick passing wave from the back allowed Mkhitaryan to play Reus down the right flank. The 24-year-old cut the ball into the center for Lewandowski, who thundered the ball into the roof of the net with his left foot.

Dortmund started the second half as the livelier side, with Lewandowski hitting the post quickly. Mkhitaryan's movement from deep constantly troubled Wolfsburg but the visitors were not to be bogged down just yet. Olic's presence in the box coupled with de Bruyne’s deliveries had Dortmund pegged back and hopes of a comeback were growing.

A late sluggish challenge from the Dortmund captain, Sebastian Kehl, saw him pick up a yellow card just after the hour mark. Olic came close once again after getting in front of Sokratis, only to see his header go just over the bar.

With fifteen minutes to go, another de Bruyne cross found Malanda unmarked just a few yards away from goal, but Belgian teenager volleyed over. Despite missing a sitter and possibly foiling any plans of a comeback for his side, Malanda got onto the end of another de Bruyne cross, only to have his effort saved by Weidenfeller. The rebound fell to Gustavo, but once again, a faint touch from Weidenfeller saw the ball onto the post and Dortmund’s cleansheet was untainted.  An injured Malanda was replaced by Caligiuri, who had a glorious chance in stoppage time, but that was all that was to be for the Wolves.

Dortmund may have struggled in the second half but they maintained yet another cleansheet in the DFB Pokal. Robert Lewandowski’s goal marked his 100th in Dortmund colours, reiterating his importance in Klopp’s system. With a place in the final in Berlin sealed, Dortmund’s hopes of silverware are still alive. A fine swansong for Lewandowski is still on the cards. But for any of this to happen, a showing of this sort is not going to be enough.

Wolfsburg can take pride out of their efforts. With lady luck just not on their side at the Signal Iduna Park, they’ve been dumped out of the DFB Pokal. But had this been another night they may well have been going to Berlin in May. The future looks bright for Hecking’s side, especially given the abundance of promising youths at the club.