New Delhi: The second round of the DFB Pokal has ended with as much promise as it started with. The final eight games qualified for the round of 16, which will be played on December 3rd and 4th. Here’s a round-up of some of the most thrilling games played in German football.
Eintracht Frankfurt 2-1 Monchengladbach
SCHLUSS! AUS! Achtelfinale!!! ❤️🔥
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⏹️ 90. | #SGEBMG 2:1 | #SGE | #DFBPokal pic.twitter.com/WBKsghO7Cd— Eintracht Frankfurt (@Eintracht) October 30, 2024
Eintracht Frankfurt secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Borussia Monchengladbach despite playing with ten men for most part of the game. Coach Dino Toppmöller made several changes from the previous draw against Union Berlin, giving Brown his debut and bringing Dina Ebimbe and Matanovic into the squad. The team maintained a back four, with Tuta moving to the right wing and Theate slotting into central defence.
Gladbach’s Gerardo Seoane also rotated his squad after a draw with Mainz, introducing four new players, including Ullrich and Neuhaus, while operating a flexible system that shifted between formations. Both teams started cautiously, with a disallowed goal for Ekitiké due to a foul. However, the game turned when Theate was sent off for a handball, leaving Eintracht on the back foot.
Despite being down a man, Frankfurt counterattacked effectively, with Ekitiké emerging as a key player scoring the opener right before the half time, catching Gladbach off guard. The visitors had more possession but couldn’t convert that into effective chances, with the teams heading into the break at 1-0.
The second half saw a quick equalizer from Gladbach’s Itakura just after the restart, and they pressed hard for a lead, but introduction of Marmoush made an immediate impact, scoring to put Eintracht back in front in the 70th minute.From there, Frankfurt focused on defending their lead as and they are now in the final 16.
SC Freiburg 2-1 Hamburger SV
#SCFHSV 2:1 (90.)
Schluss! Wir ziehen ins Achtelfinale ein! pic.twitter.com/eTl2setghh— SC Freiburg (@scfreiburg) October 30, 2024
SC Freiburg aimed to solidify their favourites’ status in the DFB Cup second round against Hamburger SV, but they faced an early onslaught when Selke missed a chance from a corner just four minutes into the match. Coach Julian Schuster made five changes to the lineup after a loss to RB Leipzig, notably bringing in former Hamburg player Gregoritsch.
Although HSV enjoyed more possession, their offensive efforts lacked the pressing ability. Freiburg posed more of a threat, with goalkeeper Raab making remarkable saves against Kubler and Philipp. However, he couldn’t stop Ginter’s header from a Grifo corner in the 19th minute. Right before break Grifo converted a penalty to give Freiburg a 2-0 lead.
In the second half, HSV responded quickly as Muheim’s corner found Jonas Meffert, who cut the deficit by one in the 51st minute. Despite this revival, Hamburg couldn’t take grip on the match and ended on the losing side as the later half of the match lacked much excitement.
Hoffenheim 2-1 Nuremberg
INTO THE LAST SIXTEEN!!#TSGFCN pic.twitter.com/h5HKxDYagp
— TSG Hoffenheim EN (@tsghoffenheimEN) October 30, 2024
Miroslav Klose and 1. FC Nuremberg brought their momentum into the DFB Cup match against TSG Hoffenheim, riding high after a historic 8-3 victory over Jahn Regensburg. On the other hand, Hoffenheim made several changes following a recent 0-0 draw against Heidenheim, including starting goalkeeper Mathenia.
The match started slowly, with both teams struggling to create clear chances. It wasn’t until the 20th minute that the game picked rhythm, with Nuremberg’s Tzimas and Castrop coming close to scoring. Nuremberg broke the deadlock in the 27th minute when Tabakovic converted from a controversial corner. Just two minutes into halftime, Hoffenheim scored their equalizer.
The pivotal moment came in the 71st minute when Tohumcu’s corner was flicked in by Chaves, putting Hoffenheim ahead 2-1. Despite their spirited play, Nuremberg were never in control of the game and its pace. They had some offensive threats late into the game, but Baumann’s solid performance kept Hoffenheim in the lead.
Mainz 0-4 Bayern Munich
🔔 𝐇𝐀𝐋𝐅-𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐄 𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐃 💪
Breathtaking first half in Mainz! 😮💨#FCBayern #MiaSanMia | #M05FCB pic.twitter.com/bnPhl4VIlH
— FC Bayern (@FCBayernEN) October 30, 2024
In a decisive cup match, Bayern Munich cruised to a 4-0 victory over Mainz, securing their place in the round of 16. Mainz coach Bo Henriksen made some adjustments, bringing in Bayern loanee Vidovic and Sieb, while Vincent Kompany was without the services of Upamecano and opted to start Dier, Sané, and Gnabry instead of Coman and Olise.
Musiala scored in the 2nd minute, capitalizing on a smooth combination with Davies and Kane and immediately making the game interesting. Bayern dominated possession, although their intensity dropped as they often succumbed to defensive tactics over aggressive attacks into Mainz’s half. Mainz struggled to find their rhythm, with their best opportunity coming just before halftime when Caci hit the side netting.
Musiala doubled the lead in the 37th minute with a header from Kane, with Sané scoring the team’s third goal in the stoppage time of the first half before Musiala completed his hat-trick going into the break with the scoreline reading 4-0. The second half lacked urgency, with Mainz’s Onisiwo having a chance, but Bayern’s defence remained solid. For Bayern, in the end, they cruised to their victory.
