News (engl.)

The DFB-Pokal second round continued late on Tuesday evening with clear-cut results for Bundesliga sides RB Leipzig and Borussia Mönchengladbach, while VfL Bochum pulled off an upset away to Augsburg. Elsewhere, FC St. Pauli edged TSG Hoffenheim on penalties after the two sides were level 2-2 after extra-time. 

Leipzig too strong for third-tier Cottbus

Cottbus made a lively start against the two-time DFB-Pokal winners but were quickly outclassed by a Leipzig side that took the lead through Johan Bakayoko (13’). Christoph Baumgartner struck twice following set pieces (28’, 37’) to all but wrap up the tie by half-time.

Ezechiel Banzuzi added Leipzig’s fourth on the hour mark (59’) before Erik Engelhardt netted a late consolation for the hosts (86’). The match was overshadowed by a tragic incident as a fan passed away on the way to hospital following a medical emergency at the stadium. 

Holtmann strike seals Bochum upset

Bochum dominated the opening minutes and were denied by the woodwork twice. Just as the home side seemed to be growing into the game, Bochum struck on the counter: Gerrit Holtmann’s shot deflected off Chrislain Matsima and into the back of the net (39’).

Augsburg pushed hard after the break, with Alexis Claude-Maurice going close from a free-kick (82’). But Bochum remained dangerous on the break and nearly doubled their lead through Michael Obafemi (83’) and Moritz-Broni Kwarteng (87’). In the end, Holtmann’s goal proved enough to knock out the Bundesliga side, who have now fallen short of the last 16 in six of the past seven seasons.

Gladbach show signs of life in win over Karlsruhe

Borussia Mönchengladbach made the perfect start against Bundesliga 2 side Karlsruher SC as Shuto Machino fired them ahead inside three minutes. The Foals dominated the first half-hour but missed several chances to extend their lead.

A major error from Machino then gifted KSC’s Lilian Egloff a golden opportunity, but goalkeeper Moritz Nicolas saved superbly (41’). Gladbach came out strong after the break and doubled their lead via a Nico Elvedi header from a Kevin Stöger corner (51’).

Karlsruhe responded quickly through Fabian Schleusener (59’), and the match opened up. Franck Honorat (64’) and Haris Tabakovic (70’) both went close to restoring Gladbach’s two-goal lead. As KSC chased an equaliser late on, Tabakovic struck decisively at the other end (89’).

St. Pauli victorious on penalties 

After five straight league defeats, St. Pauli made a dream start as Hauke Wahl fired them in front just 60 seconds in. The home side then sat deep and looked to hit Hoffenheim on the break. The visitors struggled for long periods, with Grischa Prömel’s long-range effort the best they could muster in the first half.

The equaliser came just after the restart, with Prömel heading in following a corner (47’). St. Pauli, who had lost 3-0 to Hoffenheim at the same venue just nine days earlier in the Bundesliga, were pinned back for much of the second half.

With neither side able to find a winner, the tie went into extra time. TSG were able to take the lead in the 107th minute, as Andrej Kramaric converted from the spot following a handball inside the box from James Sandsgab. The Kiezkicker showcased their never-say-die attitude with a last-gasp goal from Mathias Pereira Lage to send the match to penalties (120’+2). The hosts were able to keep their nerve through nine rounds of spot-kicks, advancing to the round of 16 following Albian Hajdari's miss (8-7 on pens.).