Both Dortmund and Schalke will be heavily stacked with the German league’s top young talent at Gelsenkirchen’s Veltins Arena.

«In the category of 18-22 year olds, we are at the front in Europe,» boasted Borussia’s CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke.

Under coach Thomas Tuchel, Dortmund are nurturing the likes of Germany’s 21-year-old defensive midfielder Julian Weigl.

Teenager forwards Dembele, 19, and Pulisic, still just 18, have attracted interest from Europe’s top clubs.

«Age doesn’t play a role as far as our trainer is concerned,» said Dembele.

«It comes down to ambition, commitment and a fighting spirit,» is how Schalke’s captain, World Cup winner Benedikt Hoewedes, sums up the clash.

Such is his desire to help Schalke that Hoewedes, 29, has delayed surgery on a groin injury until June.

Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, the league’s top scorer with 23 goals this season, loves scoring in the derby and has netted in four of the five games he has started against Schalke.