News (engl.)

The first round of this year’s DFB-Pokal saw a derby right at the off, as 1. FC Kaiserslautern overcame third-tier Waldhof Mannheim 1-0 in a game that went to extra time. Another 3. Liga side in Preußen Münster missed out on a potential upset, losing 2-1 to Karlsruher SC even after having gone in 1-0 ahead at half time. Eintracht Frankfurt ran riot against fifth-tier SC St. Tönis in Krefeld, winning 11-0, while VfB Stuttgart beat FC Hansa Rostock 4-0 in a late kick-off on Friday evening.

The first chance of the game in Mannheim fell to the hosts in the 12th minute, but Kushtrim Asallari's shot was saved by Kaiserslautern goalkeeper Julian Krahl. The visitors then created their first opportunity shortly afterwards, although Marlon Ritter’s attempt was ultimately fired over the bar (19’). Waldhof's best chance of the second half fell to Maximilian Thalhammer, but Krahl was equal to his effort (61'). Substitute Goncalo Gregorio came even closer, hitting the post as Kaiserslautern failed to take the lead by a matter of inches. Ritter also came close with a powerful long-range effort deep into stoppage time (90+6').

The fiercely contested encounter had ended goalless after 90 minutes. Following a 30-minute delay, referee Robert Schröder blew to get extra time under way. Both sides continued to prioritise their defensive duties. Kaiserslautern had a huge opportunity to take the lead on 111 minutes, but Kunze's effort was cleared off the line by Mannheim defender Owono Keumo. Ibrahim Kanaté finally broke the deadlock in the 120th minute with a superb strike into the top-right corner, sending the travelling fans into rapturous celebrations. Terence Boyd had one last chance for Mannheim in stoppage time, but Krahl held on to the ball well to secure victory for the visitors.

Karlsruhe complete the comeback in Münster

Karlsruher SC came from behind to beat hosts Preußen Münster and secure their spot in the second round of the cup. The better chances in the opening stages fell to the away side, with Münster goalkeeper Morton Behrens producing an important save to deny Marcel Franke's header (14'). The hosts then grew in confidence and created a promising opportunity on 29 minutes, although Charalambos Makridis saw his shot saved in the end. Their pressure was rewarded six minutes later, though, as Montell Ndikom fired home from 20 yards out to put Münster ahead (35').

Karlsruhe responded by turning the heat up as the second half began. However, Louey Ben Farhat (53'), Moritz Broschinski (57') and Farhat again (61') all failed to find the net. Marvin Wanitzek then deservedly levelled for the KSC in the 70th minute. It wasn’t too long until Jung put the visitors ahead in the 81st minute, beating the keeper from an unmarked position inside the penalty area. Münster’s hopes of a late comeback were finally put to bed in stoppage time, as Samuel Althaus was shown a straight red card (90+5').

Stuttgart's Pejčinović nets a hat-trick

VfB Stuttgart secured a convincing victory away at FC Hansa Rostock late on Friday evening. Dzenan Pejčinović opened the scoring for the visitors in the 18th minute with a well-placed strike into the bottom-right corner. Stuttgart defender Julian Chabot then hit the post (25'), before Pejčinović doubled the visitors' advantage in the 37th minute. Shortly afterwards, Yannick Michaelis narrowly missed the chance to pull one back for the 3. Liga side with a first-time effort.

With a 2-0 lead behind them, last season's DFB-Pokal finalists controlled proceedings in the second half despite a determined effort from Rostock. Tiago Tomás added Stuttgart's third from close range in the 74th minute, before Pejčinović capped off his hat-trick eight minutes before time, converting a cross from Vagnoman (82'). Hansa Rostock put in a solid defensive display overall, but the Bundesliga side were simply ruthless in making their chances count.

Goals galore for Frankfurt on the road

Eintracht Frankfurt produced a dominant display away at fifth-tier SC St. Tönis. Jonathan Burkardt headed the visitors in front from a corner in the fourth minute. The second goal also came from a corner, with Robin Koch converting in the 11th minute. Just six minutes later, Ayoube Amaimouni-Echghouyab made it 3-0 after combining with Burkardt (17'). Burkardt then headed in his second of the evening following an excellent attacking move (29'). Can Uzun added two more from close range (34', 36'), before Jonathan Burkardt and Elias Baum struck in quick succession (41', 44'). Younes Ebnoutalib and Mario Götze then rounded off a remarkable first half with goals in added time (45+1', 45+5').

The pace dropped considerably after the break. Five-time cup winners Frankfurt created further opportunities through Kesugi (61') and Amaimouni-Echghouyab (65'), but looked unable to add to their tally in the second half. The Oberliga side also pushed for a consolation goal, but their efforts were ultimately in vain. Farès Chaïbi finally put away Frankfurt's only goal of the second half in the 87th minute, rounding off a sensational night that saw Eintracht record their biggest-ever DFB-Pokal win.