First round of the DFB Cup: Frankfurt, Bremen and Wolfsburg continue

Led by outstanding entrant Keke Topp, Bundesliga football team SV Werder Bremen made it to the second round of the DFB Cup. In the 3-1 (2-0) win against the desperate team of the third division Energie Cottbus, the 20-year-old midfielder scored all of Bremen’s goals (32nd / 37th / 55th minute ).

Henry Rorig (70th) made his own supporters celebrate at least once with a direct free kick. Cottbus offensive player Romario Hajrulla (78th) saw the red card after going into Werder goalkeeper Michael Zetterer with his leg stretched out.

After a mixed pre-season, Bremen gained confidence in time for the start of the Bundesliga. Ole Werner’s side kick off the new season at FC Augsburg on Saturday. After two issues in the third division, that was the next stop for Cottbus this season. The Brandenburgers have been waiting for a victory in the DFB Cup since 2013.

Cottbus completely over

In front of 20,524 spectators, Werder dominated from the start and created several scoring chances. First, Cottbus goalkeeper Elias Bethke was able to block many of Bremen’s chances. But as those in front of him were increasingly letting him down, he too was powerless at some point. Cottbus’s defense became more and more boring and there was almost no offense. Werder had nearly 80 percent of the ball.

Energy coach Claus-Dieter Wollitz’s halftime speech had only a short-lived impact. The Lusatians were much more aggressive and surprisingly they often appeared in the guests’ half. However, the level of pressure lasted only ten minutes before Werder took control of the pitch again – or Topp, who achieved his outstanding crown with a hat-trick. Roderick’s stunning free kick goal did not change the outcome of the game.

Lackluster Wolfsburg finished the cup job in Koblenz

VfL Wolfsburg has completed its mandatory task in the DBB Cup and has moved into the second round. The Bundesliga football team defeated TuS Koblenz 1-0 (1-0) on Monday night. The only goal in the Oberwerth Stadium in Koblenz was scored by Patrick Wimmer in the 15th minute in front of around 8,000 spectators.

Wolfsburg was better than the Oberliga team in every way. The Rhineland Cup winners had to go on the defensive from the start. Initially, the Koblenz team had six players in the last defensive line. Wimmer still rewarded the Lower Saxony team for their good and close first stage.

After that, the 2015 cup winner took it easy, but everything was under control. There were only chances to score. The Lower Saxony side lacked the ability to score and also the playful skill to outplay their deep-lying opponent. He was delighted with his own fans in the full stadium.

Brave Koblenz, unimaginative Wolfsburg

The disciplined home side played with heart and will and made things difficult for their favourites. Only one goal behind, the Koblenz team, who last played in the cup in 2017, came out of the locker room full of energy and confidence after the restart. But it only took about ten minutes until the game went back deep into the Koblenz half.

Despite how good they were, the hosts failed to create chances against a tired Koblenz team. Sometimes the ball was just pushed back and forth. Tiago Tomas, who came on for Jonas Wind, was also no threat in the middle of the storm. The final product was missing everywhere.

But with Koblenz unable to embarrass VfL and also having to play higher after Yasin Yaman’s red card (79”) for foul play, Wimmer’s early goal was enough in the end.

Offenbach pull off a cup surprise against Magdeburg

The Kickers Offenbach caused a surprise in the DFB Cup and knocked 1. FC Magdeburg out of the competition. The favorite second division football team lost 1:2 (0:1) to the fourth division team in the first round. The Offenbachers were the first regional league team to reach the second round last season.

OFC defender Alexander Sorge gave the underdogs the lead (31st minute). Magdeburg equalized with a goal from striker Martijn Kaars (54th), but Offenbach substitute Valdrin Mustafa (74th) completed the trophy.

Play at eye level despite the two-class distinction

16,847 spectators in the stadium on Bieberer Berg saw a tough match at first without highlights. Despite more ball possession for the FCM, there was no sign of a two-level difference in the first 45 minutes.

After a free kick, OFC took the lead through Sorge’s header. Shortly before half-time, Offenbach striker Ron Berlinski even missed making it 2-0 after a terrible pass from Magdeburg defender Daniel Heber.

In the first few minutes after the break, the favorites piled on the pressure – deservedly equalizing through Kaars. But as the playing time increased, the outside improved again. Mustafa completed a fine move by OFC to make it 2-1 and ensure the Hessians won the cup.

Frankfurt continues in the DFB Cup

Thanks to a clear increase in performance after the break and a brace from Hugo Ekitiké, Eintracht Frankfurt reached the second round of the DFB Cup without much trouble. The Europa League partner won 4-1 (0-0) at the bottom of the second division, Eintracht Braunschweig, on Monday night.

Farès Chaibi (53rd minute) and Ekitiké (56th, 61st) made everything clear after the break with three goals within a few minutes in front of 21,201 spectators at the Eintracht Stadium in Braunschweig. Later Igor Matanovic scored (88th) before Levente Szabó scored at least the consolation goal.

The Frankfurt team has to play against Borussia Dortmund on Saturday night for the start of the first division. The DFB Cup does not continue until October 29/30. The second round will be drawn on September 1 on ZDF.

Ekitiké set up Chaibi’s opening goal in excellent fashion with a good pass from the outside of his instep. The French then got the other goals himself broken. Toppmöller was able to replace his main striker Ekitiké around 20 minutes before the end. Shortly before the final whistle, both teams scored.dpa)