The DFB Pokal returns this evening and although there is a lack of lower-league sides left in the competition, the ties on show still carry several storylines.
Here are five games to watch out for in the DFB Pokal:
Wolfsburg vs Borussia Dortmund (Tuesday):
The issues at Dortmund regarding head coach Nuri Sahin are well documented and after their losses to Real Madrid and Augsburg in the past week, the game against Wolfsburg in the DFB Pokal will be the perfect opportunity for Dortmund to bounce back. However, if they fail to beat Wolfsburg, Sahin and the team as a whole will be asked more questions with another dire display.
For Wolfsburg, they have only won twice this season against Holstein Kiel and Bochum and they currently find themselves 14th in the Bundesliga. A win is probably needed to help boost the team and temporarily paper over potential cracks.
Eintracht Frankfurt vs Borussia Mönchengladbach (Wednesday):
In terms of league positioning, this is the biggest tie of this round.
Gladbach are in a similar situation to Dortmund but the sacking of head coach Gerardo Seoane is more of a reality. The next few games for Gladbach are crucial for Seoane’s future at the club. Things looked positive against Heidenheim with a 3-2 win but then against Mainz Die Fohlen reverted back to the norm for this season. A win against Frankfurt will not only give some hope regarding a potential cup run but may give Seoane some more time.
Frankfurt have had a strong start to their Bundesliga season but hit the buffers against Bayer Leverkusen and Union Berlin. On their day, Die Adler have a great chance to win the DFB Pokal this season and should beat Gladbach if their win at Deutsche Bank Park earlier in the season is anything to go by.
VfB Stuttgart vs Kaiserslautern (Tuesday):
Two of Germany’s historically biggest teams face off against one another at the MHP Arena, they also share a common enemy in Karlsruher SC, the enemy of my enemy is my friend.
Stuttgart should beat Kaiserslautern on Tuesday, as like Frankfurt, this is their best chance at silverware this season and they should have a good chance to win it if they are at their best.
Last season’s finalists are a significantly better side compared to last season, they currently sit 10th in the 2.Bundesliga and will be hoping that they can mimic last season’s cup run.
Kickers Offenbach vs Karlsruher SC (Tuesday):
Kickers Offenbach are the lowest-ranked side left in the competition. The Regionalliga Sudwest team beat 2.Bundesliga side Magdeburg to make it to the second round so a tie against a Karlsruher side who have struggled as of late to win games could present a potential upset. A win and if other results go their way could set up a tie with rivals Eintracht Frankfurt in the next round.
As mentioned, Karlsruher SC have struggled recently, their unbeaten run in the second division was ended at the weekend by Hertha Berlin. While in their past five games, they have only won once, against Ulm. KSC’s games have provided a lot of goals but a win at Offenbach could make them a difficult side for Bundesliga teams to be drawn against.
Bayer Leverkusen vs Elversberg (Tuesday):
The defending champions have struggled in the opening part of the season. Leverkusen have only kept three clean sheets in all competitions and are yet to keep a clean sheet in the Bundesliga this season. Add onto this an Elversberg side that possesses Fisnik Asllani one of the top scorers in the second division, and Leverkusen could have some problems on their hands.
The pair have a history as well, Elversberg beat Leverkusen 4-3 back in 2022 in the opening round and this could be pinpointed as the beginning of Gerardo Seoane’s time at the BayArena before he was replaced by Xabi Alonso in the autumn of that year.
GGFN | Jack Meenan
