‘Absolute underdogs’: Kaiserslautern seek epic upset against Leverkusen

After a surprise run to the German Cup final, fallen giants need a miracle against Xabi Alonso’s champions – but still have hope.

ON A JOURNEY: Aaron Opoku of 1. FC Kaiserslautern celebrates after scoring his team's fifth goal during the Second Bundesliga match between 1. FC Kaiserslautern and Eintracht Braunschweig. Pic: Christian Kaspar-Bartke, Getty Images

The task facing Kaiserslautern could not be more gargantuan. As they walk out to the monumental backdrop of the Olympiastadion in Berlin on Saturday, they will know they are expected to lose by everyone other than their diehard supporters and, perhaps, secretly, some of them too.

The first 2. Bundesliga side to reach the DFB-Pokal final in more than a decade, they must aim to become the first team to beat Bayer Leverkusen in domestic competition this season.