News (engl.)

Wednesday evening’s early DFB-Pokal second-round fixtures produced another cup upset, as second-tier Dynamo Dresden knocked out Bundesliga side FC Schalke 04 with a 2-0 victory. VfB Stuttgart needed a last-gasp winner to beat SC Paderborn 1-0 and reach the round of 16, while SC Freiburg came from behind to defeat VfL Wolfsburg 3-2. In the fourth early kick-off, Hertha BSC were made to work hard by SSV Jeddeloh II, the last remaining amateur side in the competition, before eventually securing a 2-0 win.

The fans in Dresden were treated to a lively opening, with Schalke initially on the front foot and the hosts looking to hit them on the counter. Dynamo soon began to enjoy more possession, however, forcing Schalke to spend longer spells defending. The tempo dropped as the game settled into a midfield battle, with neither side creating a clear chance in the opening half-hour. Schalke’s Hee Chan Hwang finally had the first real opportunity shortly before the break, meeting a cross from Dina Ebimbe with a header, but Dynamo goalkeeper Grill was equal to it (45’).

After a first half short on chances, Dresden broke the deadlock early in the second. A well-worked attack ended with Patrice Covic controlling a cross before firing home from close range to give the hosts a 1-0 lead (53’). Schalke came close to equalising when Edin Džeko got a shot away from close range, but Rossipal made a crucial intervention to deny him (74’). Dresden then put the result beyond doubt in the closing stages. Schalke goalkeeper Karius misjudged a corner, allowing substitute Daferner to head home and seal a 2-0 victory (88’).

Undav strikes late to send Stuttgart through

Paderborn started brightly on home soil and came close to taking the lead twice in quick succession in the fourth minute. Dennis Zeitler burst forward down the left, but Stuttgart goalkeeper Fabian Bredlow kept out his effort with his foot. The resulting cross found Marvin Pieringer unmarked, but the Paderborn striker could only head against the right-hand post. The hosts continued to enjoy more possession, with Stuttgart struggling to find their rhythm. The visitors were handed a significant advantage in the 37th minute, however, when Paderborn’s Laurin Curda was shown a straight red card by referee Florian Badstübner for a reckless, studs-up challenge on Bilal El Khannouss. Stuttgart soon created their first clear-cut chance, with left-back Maximilian Mittelstädt striking the woodwork from distance.

Stuttgart emerged for the second half on the front foot and grew increasingly dangerous as the game wore on. Undav played a superb pass into the path of Demirović, whose effort was saved by Paderborn goalkeeper Schubert (66’). The pair combined again just two minutes later, but Schubert once more came out on top. Stuttgart continued to push forward in search of a breakthrough and finally got their reward in stoppage time. Captain Deniz Undav met a cross from Führich to score the only goal of the game (90’+1), sending VfB through to the round of 16.

Goto double completes Freiburg comeback

SC Freiburg made a dream start against Wolfsburg. Grifo released Günter down the left, and his pinpoint cross was headed home by Igor Matanovic to give the hosts an early lead (6’). Wolfsburg responded almost immediately, however. A goal kick from Wellenreuther bounced straight into the path of Kento Shiogai, who raced clear and finished past Freiburg goalkeeper Florian Müller to make it 1-1 (8’). Freiburg began to apply more pressure against their second-tier opponents, although the game remained evenly contested as the first half progressed. Wolfsburg then took the lead shortly before the break, with Shiogai grabbing his second of the evening when he headed home from a corner (43’).

The second half got off to a frustrating start for Freiburg. Referee Sören Storks initially awarded the hosts a penalty for handball (54’), only for the decision to be overturned following a VAR review. Günter then thought he had equalised five minutes later, but the goal was ruled out for offside. Freiburg continued to dominate and finally got their reward when substitute Keisuke Goto rose highest to head home from a corner (76’). With extra time looming, SC completed the comeback in dramatic fashion. Lienhart played Goto through on goal, and the substitute raced clear before lifting the ball over Wellenreuther to seal a 3-2 victory in the second minute of stoppage time.

Hertha overcome spirited Jeddeloh

Fourth-tier side Jeddeloh II made a promising start against Hertha BSC, defending deep and staying compact while looking to create the occasional opening on the counter-attack. Hertha dominated possession but struggled to break down the hosts’ stubborn defence. The visitors came close to taking the lead when left-back Mads Pedersen struck the right-hand post (26’). Jeddeloh continued to frustrate the 2. Bundesliga leaders, although Farid Alfa-Ruprecht almost broke the deadlock when he made his way down the right and hit the post (43’). Sebastian Grönning was unable to convert the rebound, allowing Jeddeloh to go into the break on level terms.

Jeddeloh had a golden opportunity to take a surprise lead early in the second half. Following a Hertha corner, Pascal Steinwender broke forward down the left and delivered a cross into the middle, but Moritz Brinkmann failed to hit the target (48’). The visitors finally made the breakthrough less than ten minutes later. Sessa slipped the ball through to Alfa-Ruprecht on the right, who squared for Josip Brekalo to slot home (57’). Hertha doubled their advantage soon afterwards, with Julian Eitschberger firing in a powerful left-footed shot to make it 2-0 (63’). The visitors were unable to add to their tally, but had done enough to secure a deserved victory and knock the spirited fourth-tier side out of the competition.