In the first round, there was one major shock, with Nürnberg losing to Illertissen on penalties, while Werder Bremen were the only Bundesliga team failing to qualify for the next round after losing to Arminia Bielefeld. 

There were several close calls for Bundesliga sides, however, with 1.FC Köln needing extra time to beat Jahn Regensburg, Bayern Munich needed a late winner to beat Wehen Wiesbaden 3-2, while VfB Stuttgart needed penalties to beat Eintracht Braunschweig. 

The draw for the second round has produced several interesting all-Bundesliga ties. The standout being Eintracht Frankfurt vs Borussia Dortmund. While 1.FC Köln host Bayern, and Stuttgart travels to Mainz. 

The lowest-ranked side left in the competition, Illertissen, who are in the fourth tier, will play Magdeburg. 

The games will be played from the 28th to the 29th of October. 

Full DFB Pokal draw:

Illertissen vs Magdeburg 

Energie Cottbus vs RB Leipzig

Union Berlin vs Arminia Bielefeld

Heidenheim vs Hamburg 

Borussia Mönchengladbach vs Karlsruher SC

Hertha Berlin vs Elversberg

Greuther Fürth vs Kaiserslautern

Eintracht Frankfurt vs Borussia Dortmund

Darmstadt vs Schalke

Augsburg vs Bochum

Fortuna Düsseldorf vs Freiburg

Paderborn vs Bayer Leverkusen

Mainz vs Stuttgart

Wolfsburg vs Holstein Kiel

1.FC Köln vs Bayern Munich

St.Pauli vs Hoffenheim

GGFN | Jack Meenan

In a separate interview for the Wednesday print edition of Sport Bild, VfB attacker Deniz Undav kept up his good-natured tradition of not taking himself too seriously. Nübel, Demirovic, and Köhler registered direct comments on the match itself. Nübel – completely unlike his female German international colleague Ann-Katrin Berger – proved the hero of the penalty shootout by sticking closely to his prepared “cheat sheet”.

Nübel found himself the unexpected winner of the “Man of the Match” award despite the fact that he conceded four goals and looked incredibly shaky on the first BTSV tally. The 28-year-old – who was stilled called by Julian Nagelsmann to the national team today – wasn’t in the mood to congratulate himself.

“I should have saved that,” Nübel said when referring to Köhler’s 1-0 in the 8th-minute. “100 percent. Period. I also conceded four goals again. That really annoys me. It was a crazy game. I’ll be thinking about this match for a long time.

“I don’t know who votes for this stuff,” Nübel said of his MOTM honor. “It’s crazy. Medo [Ermedin Demirovic] scored three goals. I would have probably given it to him instead. I stuck to the ‘cheat sheet’.”

Demirovic actually only scored two goals. Nübel can be easily forgiven for not knowing that Demirovic’s purported third tally (in the 92nd minute) was actually technically scored as an own-goal attributed to Braunschweig defender Sanoussy Ba. Demirovic himself did go the full 120 minutes and does deserve immense credit for converting his penalty in the sixth round of the shootout; the first of the “sudden death rounds”. 

Demirovic didn’t allow himself to be placed on the initial shootout roster for good reason. It may have been over three years (and two clubs) since the Bosnian international missed the crucial penalty for Freiburg in the PSO loss against RB Leipzig in the DFB Pokal Final, but such things never leave a player’s head. Many were surprised to see Demirovic step up for the first non-scheduled take. 

“Penalty shootouts are nasty and I don’t like them at all,” Demirovic said. “I’ve experienced them from all sides, missing or converting a decisive one. I’m glad the ball went in today. This was a big watch for neutral observers, but nerve-racking for us.”

Köhler could only reflect on how far his team had come. It wasn’t that long ago that Braunschweig were contesting the promotion-relegation playoffs against FC Saarbrücken. While the team that narrowly avoided the drop down to the 3. Liga arguably deserved a different outcome, Köhler wished to reinforce the work of his teammates. 

“When I think back, eight to ten weeks ago, we were on the verge of the third division,” Köhler noted, “I think today we showed a completely different face. I don’t want to see anyone go home sad today. Everyone who supports Eintracht Braunschweig should go home with a smile on their face today. I think Stuttgart owes thanks to a loving God.”

Undav – who certainly wasn’t one of the better Stuttgart actors on the pitch – kept his trademark sense of humor in the Sport Bild interview. Last season’s form dip saw his estimated market value fall from €28m to €20m. A player who has traversed so much adversity in his career (and even overcame it late last year) made clear that he knew how to be his own harshest critic. 

“Transfermarkt has me at €20m,” Undav said. “I’d put it more at €11m with plenty of room for improvement. Of course I dream of the 2026 World Cup, but the competition is fierce. If I score 17 goals and record ten assists again [like in the 2023/24 campaign], I can hopefully punch my ticket. I’m going to give it my all. I’ve set myself some big goals for this season!”

GGFN | Peter Weis

Underdog Braunschweig did just about all they could to force the upset. In conceding four goals, Stuttgart have now equalled the total number of goals conceded in their entire winning cup run last year. This match could have easily gone either way. Unfortunately for the BTSV, the PSO didn’t break their way when a cramped Louis Frenkert couldn’t convert in the 10th round after his teammates sunk six straight. 

Stuttgart’s narrow escape means that Werder Bremen remain the only Bundesliga side to lose their opening round Pokal fixture. Bayern kick off their cup campaign tomorrow against SV Wehen Wiesbaden. Are their lessons to be gleaned for Stuttgart? After telling the story of the match, we’ll supply player ratings and furnish a brief tactical review. 

Stuttgart’s shaky start

Spurned on by an absolutely fabulous choreo and pyro display from their ultra section, the Lower Saxon Lions got off to a fiery start. Knowing full well that injuries to Jeff Chabot and Luca Jaquez forced Hoeneß to throw two centre-backs into a “cold start”, Braunschweig threw everything they had at the VfB defense. Hoffenheim loanee Erencan Yardımcı pounced on an VfB keeper Alexander Nübel – who couldn’t figure how to pass the ball out – in the 6th-minute to earn an early corner.

Just two minutes later, the hosts took the lead. Braunschweig captain Sven Köhler – a central defender playing high up in midfield on this particular evening – had a go from 30 meters out in the 8th-minute. Nübel still might have done much better with a powerful shot that was nevertheless a little fluttery. A late reaction from the VfB keeper allowed the ball to float into the right corner. It appeared as if the defending DFB Pokal champions were very much back on their heels for a few more minutes.

An immediate response

The equalizer came in the 12th-minute courtesy of a Chris Führich cross and an Ermedin Demirovic finish. Führich’s run and delivery were sharp while the Bosnian striker was a little lucky to see the ball bounce in after taking a slight deflection off Braunschweig defender Louis Breunig. The underdog hosts still managed to push forward a bit after parity was restored, but Stuttgart were eventually able to settle matters down in midfield and begin to impose their game.  Braunschweig did remain committed on the press.

Most of the chances nevertheless belonged to the guests. Ramon Hendriks (20th), Deniz Undav (23rd, 30th), and Lorenz Assignon (36th) missed opportunities to give the Cannstatter the lead. Stuttgart generally coped with the Eintracht press well. On a few occasions, the Lions were able to break through on Assignon’s side. Poor quality crosses and shots still didn’t really manage to test Nübel. There would be a determined finish to the opening 45 from Heiner Backhaus’ men.

The hosts flatten out

Yardımcı (41st) and skipper Köhler (45+4) nearly helped their team head into the tunnel with a half-time lead. Yardımcı hit the side netting with his effort. Nübel did a much better job with Köhler’s distance effort (this time from about 18 meters out) seconds away from the half-time whistle. At the other end, returning Stuttgart hero Tiago Tomas saw a nice effort deflected over the bar in the 44th. Yardımcı had a couple of half-chances after the restart, ultimately being unable to strike the ball cleanly.

In general, Stuttgart looked the more organized and composed team after the break. A lead taken at the hour-mark felt fully deserved. Again it was Führich from the left, cutting into the penalty area to service Angelo Stiller. Something of a lucky touch from Stiller furthered the ball for Demirovic, who had an easy tap in from about five meters out. As the substitutes began to pour on, neither team could establish much of a flow after the 60th-minute 1-2. One sensed that the Bundesliga side might quietly close it out.

The unexpected late twists

A beautiful cross from BTSV skipper Köhler initiated the play that led to the equalizer. Braunschweig left wingback Fabio Di Michele Sanchez still deserves immense credit for smashing home the 2-2 from an extremely tight angle in the 77th-minute. Eight minutes later, it was Di Michele Sanchez again with another dream finish. The former Wolfsburg academy man – also the scorer of a crucial goal in Braunschweig’s relegation playoff round last spring – once again blasted the ball from a tight angle on the left on the 85th-minute 3-2.

Stuttgart equalized in the 89th-minute through substitutes Jamie Leweling and Nick Woltemade. Leweling bravely pushed past three Braunschweig markers on the left near the touchline. This piece of sublime skill was followed up by some random ping-ponging of the ball in the box. The ball very fortuitously landed at Woltemade’s feet. Initially, Woltemade wasn’t in any condition to shoot as he was flat on his back. Thanks to some loose marking, however, the rising German superstar was able to pick himself up and fire home the 3-3. 

Tomas takes control

Braunschweig has their work cut out for them in the added periods when it became apparent that their talismanic captain Köhler could not continue shortly before the end of normal time. It took just two into added time for Stuttgart to restore the advantage. A gorgeous touch from Tomas on the right enabled the new VfB acquisition to elegant dust off his marker and square for Demirovic. It would not prove a hat trick for VfB striker, however, as replays confirmed that BTSV defender Sanoussy Ba got the last touch on the 3-4. 

The hosts punch back

To their immense credit, the hosts obstinately refused to give up. A ridiculously unlucky strike off the crossbar in the 99th from defender Lukas Frenkert prevented the hosts from equalizing. The hosts did net the 4-4 in the 105th by bum-rushing the box with bodies. Amid all the chaos, Christian Joe Conteh finished off the turn following some nice set-up-work from Max Marie and Leon Bell Bell. 

The road to penalties 

Braunschweig absolutely weren’t finished. Just before the first half of extra time, Bell Bell and BTSV midfielder Johan Gomez supplied a vicious double chance at 105+2. The second half of extra time ended up being not much to write home about. Fouls. Bookings. Cramps. A typical 15-minute-period put in by two gassed teams ready for the shootout. Leweling earned a deserved yellow card for diving in the box at 120+2.

Will we be here all night?

Early misses from Gomes and Marie appeared to put Stuttgart in a position to wrap matters up quickly. Returning defender Dan-Axel Zagadou and new signing Chema Andres nevertheless missed their own takes in the opening five rounds. To sudden death we went. All players on both sides converted until Frenkert’s miss in round ten. Assignon got a chance to be the hero by sinking from the spot. 

VfB Stuttgart Player Ratings

Alexander Nübel (7) – Maximilian Mittelstädt (5), Ramon Hendriks (4), Finn Jeltz (4), Lorenz Assignon (7) – Angelo Stiller (8), Atakan Karazor (6) – Chris Führich (7), Deniz Undav (6), Tiago Tomas (8) – Ermedin Demirovic (7)

Substitutes: Nick Woltemade (6), Jamie Leweling (7), Josha Vagnoman, (5) ,Chema Andres (4), Dan-Axel Zagadou (3)

GGFN Player of the Match: Johan Gomez (8)

So many Braunschweig players deserve an honorable mention. Beyond those who got themselves on the scoresheet (Köhler, Di Michele Sanchez, Conteh, and Max Marie), young Mexican-American midfielder Johan Gomez really caught the eye with his persistent hustle over the course of the full 120 minutes. The Arlington Texas has been scraping about with the Lions at the bottom of the 2. Bundesliga for the last two seasons after spending a couple of years with FSV Zwickau in the 3. Liga.

He didn’t score for the Löwen last year and hasn’t even earned a start through three second division matchdays this year. That may be set to change after this game. The youngster recored five shots and assisted on three more. Without access to either his heat map or total kilometer count, the author conjectures that both are off the charts based on what he witnessed with the naked eye. Unbelievable how many times the 24-year-old embarked on long dribbles. Sadly, that penalty miss will haunt him. 

Some Braunschweig players it proved a pleasure to see again included former Schalke man Mehmet Aydin and quintessential German journeyman striker Sebastian Polter. Aydin actually fulfilled a lot of different roles tactically and Polter did well off the bench. A lower-league journeyman Germans are familiar with, Robin Heußler, did very well playing in a much more forward position, just like BTSV skipper Köhler. Interesting to discover that Heidenhiem striker Maximilian Breunig has a younger brother Louis who features for Braunschweig.

With respect to Stuttgart, one can easily label Nübel the hero of the match. Stiller is probably the better pick as he was the most consistent VfB outfielder. Tomas’ excellent performance should hopefully prove indicative of the season to come. Leweling and Führich were solid. Demirovic, Woltemade, Undav, and Vagnoman have had and will have much better games. Chabot and Jaquez can’t get back to the defensive ranks soon enough. Chabot has been playing well enough to earn a German national team call-up.

VfB Stuttgart Tactical Review

We last checked in with Stuttgart right after the DFL Supercup. Since then, Sebastian Hoeneß’ Württembergers found themselves on the wrong end of a 2-1 encounter with 1. FC Union Berlin at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei. The visiting BaWü side dominated their hosts in every last statistical category, yet found themselves undone by a brace from impressive Union debutant Ilyas Ansah. Hoeneß caught some flak in the German press for going with a highly unconventional tactical arrangement.

Few watching the match could make heads or tails of this:

Lineup—VfB Stuttgart (Bundesliga)

When in possession, there absolutely wasn’t anyone covering the right. The flat nature of the back-three meant that Josha Vagnoman had to constantly track back in order to assist on the bow arcs. The axes of Atakan Karazor-Angelo Stiller and Jamie-Leweling-Deniz Undav mostly remained tightly chained and slanted left. Coverage in most cases was nominal. Approach play remained choppy, cautious, and downright squiggly at times.

Needless to say, not a lot of scoring chances were fashioned out of VfB’s dominant possession. Hoeneß likely threw something like this together based on the fact that Union rarely want the ball anyway. One can generally spam any sort of high press against die Eisernen and generally produce something. Were it not for some bad misses from players like Vagnoman and Karazor. FCU keeper Frederik Rønnow made some nice stops and Deniz Undav hit the crossbar.

Lineup—VfB Stuttgart (71st minute)

The more sensible – though still unconventional – late 4-4-2 produced a pullback goal and might have produced more had Luca Jaquez not had to exit proceedings injured at the beginning of injury time and Nick Woltemade not been well offside on the supposed 2-2 at 90+6. In any event, it came as little surprise to see Hoeneß return to something infinitely simpler in the Pokal. The defending champs – with five changes to the previous XI – lined up in a 4-2-3-1.

Lineup—VfB Stuttgart (DFB Pokal)

If there was a bit of nuance here, Stiller appeared to work a little deeper on a split stagger. The German international actually did well as both a stabilizing midfield flight director and a good offensive actor on the charge. Stiller broke into the box when he sensed he could make an impact and actively attempted to hit his colleagues with long balls from the deep. 

Few positives to report about the Stuttgart back-line, apart from the fact that mega-signing Assignon recovered very well after a noticeably poor first half. Führich turned in an excellent shift before being subbed off. Tomas’ performance speaks for itself. Hoeneß appeared to stick with like-for-like substitutions throughout.

Woltemade relieved Undav in the ten slot, as he can do. Vagnoman also plugged in for Tomas on a straight arrow swap on the right wing, as he can do as well. Ideally, this is what we should be seeing moving forward. Hoeneß mostly stuck to a 4-2-3-1 last season and doesn’t need to employ any more tricks to get this side clicking. 

GGFN | Peter Weis

That paves the way for Filippo Mané (20) to start in a back three alongside Waldemar Anton and Ramy Bensebaini – the Italian is yet to make his debut for die Schwarzgelben but is highly thought of by club officials, who extended the player’s contract in January.

Other than Dortmund’s defensive situation, Kovac is able to field his preferred line-up with Julien Duranville (Shoulder) the only notable absentee in attack. Marcel Sabitzer and Pascal Groß should start in the double-pivot with Jobe Bellingham as the attack-minded player of a midfield three, with Karim Adeyemi complementing Serhou Guirassy in attack.

Likely Borussia Dortmund line-up vs Rot-Weiss Essen

Gregor Kobel – Filippo Mané, Waldemar Anton, Ramy Bensebaini – Julian Ryerson, Marcel Sabitzer, Pascal Groß, Daniel Svensson – Jobe Bellingham – Karim Adeyemi, Serhou Guirassy.

GGFN | Daniel Pinder

The Moroccan international has been with Bayer Leverkusen since 2021/2022, since moving from Toulouse for only €7m , but must now wait until his current club find a replacement.

According to multiple reports from French and German media, the 25-year-old has already agreed to sign a five-year contract with Bournemouth.

The reported €30m fee includes add-ons for the midfielder. 

With negotiations still being finalised, Adli played 45 minutes this weekend in Bayer Leverkusen’s DFB Pokal win and registered an assist on Patrik Schick’s opening goal in the 0-4 away victory. 

Afterwards, the 24-year-old bid a tearful goodbye to the B04 fan block after receiving special recognition from the fans.

Adli scored his first goal for the club in September 2021 during added time of a Europa League group stage match against Celtic.

He has gone on to make nearly 100 appearances for Leverkusen, amassing 14 goals as his side won the Bundesliga, DFB Pokal, and Supercup in 2023/2024.

Adli also has 15 international caps with Morocco and will hope his time at Bournemouth will help launch his national side into the 2026 World Cup.

Evidently, it is time for a new chapter and to write his name into Bournemouth’s history.

But Adli’s contribution at Bayer Leverkusen won’t be quickly forgotten.

GGFN | Oscar O’Mara

Bremen midfielder Leonardo Bittencourt was sent off on double yellows in the 54th. The Hanseatic guests fought hard to force extra time, but were ultimately undone by American striker Isaiah Young at 90+3. Bremen face serious problems heading into the season after the 0-1 DFB Pokal loss.

The departure of striker Marvin Ducksch leaves the team without a veteran striker. Michael Zetterer’s soon-to-be-completed transfer to Eintracht Frankfurt means Bremen will lack veteran leadership between the sticks. Attempts to acquire reinforcements for the squad have stalled.

Squad captain Marco Friedl made no effort to hide his concern in both his post-match-interview and his comments in the mixed zone. The 27-year-old couldn’t avoid criticizing club management for not getting deals to bring in new players over the line. 

“All of us, and I do mean all of us, have to get our act together,” Friedl told Sky Germany after the match. “Otherwise, it will be a very difficult year. I have to be careful what I say, because I’m extremely frustrated about everything that’s going on around here.” 

Friedl was less cautious in the mixed zone.

“I’ve already said so much about the pre-season,” Friedl, frequently rubbing his eyes in frustration, added in the media hall. “We have to ‘bring it’ regardless of what we’re at. It won’t get any easier in the league. We all need to wake up and snap out of it.

“So many of our key players have left,” Friedl continued. “And we haven’t done anything. I hope something happens. I don’t want to add much more than that. When one gives and gives away [players], one needs to get some.

“Now we’re in deeper shit than after the pre-season,” Friedl added. 

Werder chief personnel executive Clemens Fritz also conducted an interview in the mixed zone. The 44-year-old, who has already presided over one club relegation while he was working in the club office (2021), did his best to defend his administrative team’s summer strategy. 

“I do believe that everyone who represented us today is qualified to play in the Bundesliga,” Fritz said. “We have some absentees [due to injury]. We know that we have to do something. We will try to do something. I know we need assistance in attack. We’re conducting talks.

“It’s not easy,” Fritz continued. “There’s sporting issues. There’s financial issues. Sometimes one needs to wait until the player’s club finds a replacement. There are players on our list. We’re working on it.”

GGFN | Peter Weis

“I’m not going to make a secret of the fact that Niels will start,” Toppmöller remarked on Friday. “He played an outstanding game against Aston Villa [in a pre-season friendly], especially defensively but also going forward with some great moves. His focus was very good. He surprised us positively. Now he just needs to work on the little things we’ve often talked about.” 

Nkounkou benefits from the fact that starting let-back Arthur Theate is suspended and German fullback Nathaniel Brown is not fit enough for action. Eintracht enter the start of competitive play with a 31-man-squad comprised of plenty of defenders that the club was unable to move this summer.

Central defenders Hrvoje Smolcic and Auréle Amenda both saw transfers collapse, as did right back Aurelio Buta. Nkounkou remains under contract with Eintracht until 2028.

GGFN | Peter Weis

Ramaj and Ibrahimovic remain the only two players of note Heidenheim have brought in this offseason. This despite the fact that the Ostalbenschwaben only narrowly avoided relegation via the playoffs. Virtually all Bundesliga pundits are picking Heidenheim for automatic relegation this year. Schmidt expressed confidence that his team could prove all the doubters wrong in just their third year ever in the German top flight. 

“Maybe I’m a bit old school, but I’m always happy with the players we have,” Schmidt said. “It’s my job to work with them. We don’t get players who have already made 100 appearances in their respective leagues, but those who are on their way to developing and improving. If they then help us, that’s all the better the better.“

Schmidt also offered up specific words of praise for both Ramaj and Ibrahmovic. In the case of the latter, the FCH head coach actually denied that Ramaj’s status as the No. 1 keeper was automatically sealed. Just like anyone else on Schmidt’s squad, the outspoken Ramaj will have to work to retain his place. Schmidt even emphasized that third-choice keeper Frank Feller could contest the race once he returns from injury. 

“It’s always a three-or-four-way battle,” Schmidt noted. “Frank Feller will eventually come back. You have to consider the transfer options Diant Ramaj had. I think it’s remarkable that he chose us. But none of us can rule out competition.” 

“He brings a very good mentality and attitude,” Schmidt said of Ibrahmovic. “He can become a very valuable player for us as he’s very good at football and well trained.“

“I have complete confidence in him,” Kovac said of the newly promoted youngster while speaking at a Friday press conference. “BVB is a club that also relies on young players. I think he can do it. If nothing unexpected happens in training, he will be given the nod and we are optimistic.“

Should he start, Mané will play on the right-hand-side of the back-three alongside Ramy Bensebaini (left) and Waldemar Anton (central). Kovac didn’t comment much on other personnel choices behind the defense, noting that he felt there had been plenty of healthy competition during training camp. 

“The guys are making it very difficult for me, but I’m also happy that I have a bit of a headache now,” Kovac said. “It would be bad if it were the other way around and too easy. There will be tough decisions to make. That’s clear.“

GGFN | Peter Weis

The ‘friendly’, which is now named after the late Beckenbauer, pits the winner of the Bundesliga against the winner of the DFB Pokal. Last season’s addition saw Stuttgart lose to Bayer Leverkusen on penalties.

Both teams will want to use this game as a launch pad for their season.  

For Stuttgart, there are no major injuries heading into the game. Keeper Alexander Nübel has not been training regularly with the first team, so he could be replaced by Fabian Bredlow. While Angelo Stiller, who is recovering from an injury suffered in a pre-season friendly, may not be risked. 

There could be a debut for Lorenz Assignon, but the main talking point heading into this game will be the future of Nick Woltemade, with Bayern having another bid rejected by Stuttgart recently. 

Bayern’s obvious absentees are Jamal Musiala and Alphonso Davies, who are both a long way off returning to training. Joining them on the sidelines will be Hiroki Ito, Aleksandar Pavlovic and Paul Wanner. 

Luis Diaz is expected to make his official Bayern debut. 

Predicted XI (via kicker):

VfB Stuttgart:

Fabian Bredlow – Lorenz Assignon, Luca Jaquez, Jeff Chabot, Maximilian Mittelstädt – Atakan Karazor, Angelo Stiller – Jamie Leweling, Chris Führich – Deniz Undav, Nick Woltemade

Bayern Munich: 

Manuel Neuer – Konrad Laimer, Jonathan Tah, Dayot Upamecano, Josip Stanisic – Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka – Michael Olise, Serge Gnabry, Luis Diaz – Harry Kane

GGFN | Jack Meenan