Cup cracker on Sunday in Leipzig: The 1. FC locomotive meets FC Schalke 04 in the first round of the DFB Cup. A victory would be a big sensation. But there were already.
Almost 90 years ago-on January 3, 1937-the Lok predecessor, VfB Leipzig, won the DFB Cup (then Tschammer Cup). Opponents at the time: Schalke 04. The miners from the Ruhrpott were then as favorites, the Leipziger the blatant outsider. The same distribution of roles will be available live on Sunday (3:30 p.m. and in the ticker) when the second division is arrived. Then it is not about the coveted pot, but “only” about moving into the 2nd round.
Sportschau DFB Cup live, August 17, 2025 3:10 p.m.
Seitz knows how to defeat Schalke
“There is a very great anticipation of playing against such a horny traditional club,” says FCL coach Jochen Seitz, who himself was in the DFB Cup as a player, but is now a premiere as a coach. His team has to leave the nervousness behind quickly, “otherwise we won’t have a chance”.
Seitz once played for Schalke and in 2003 scored two goals in the 2-1 win against Gladbach. “Of course this is a unique experience. The spectators are totally freaked out. Of course, you don’t forget that,” the locomotive trainer recalls his star.
1937: Cup wonder in front of 60,000 fans
22 years later – the protagonists in Probstheida agree – a locomotive victory against Schalke would be the same. The royal blue have not spotted themselves with fame in recent years, but most recently avoided the very big embarrassment in the cup. It was different in 1937. FC Schalke 04, then one of the best German club teams, lost the final in front of around 60,000 spectators in the Berlin Olympic Stadium with 1: 2 against Underdog VfB Leipzig. Jakob May and Herbert Gabriel scored for a quick 2-0 lead for the outsider and Bruno Wöllner grew beyond themselves. He didn’t allow more than the connection goal.
5,000 teams in Cup competition
At that time, more than 5,000 teams played for the cup trophy. On the way to the final, VfB defeated the four “Gaumeister” 1. SV Jena (master of “Gaus Mitte”), forward lawn sport Gleiwitz (Silesian champion), Berlin SV (Berlin champion) and Wormatia Worms (southwest champion). The team lived up to their reputation as a favorite fright and went to the annals as a cup winner in 1936. The final was postponed to January 1937 because of the Olympic Games.
Lok needs a stable defense
Dreaming from the final would be measured for Lok this season. However, a round-off surprise is not completely excluded. Schalke 04 has not yet torn out trees, in which 2nd league won and lost once. Master Lok has digested the frustration of the missed ascent and gets going in the regional league.
The squad is ripe and ripped off – and on the outer lanes Lok with Ayodele Adetula has signed a man who can not only run quickly, but also shoot dream gates. His Sunday shot against Meuselwitz last Sunday was enough for three points. If the 27-year-old ignites again, it could get dangerous for Schalke.
Ziane: “Want to create the miracle”
So time for a new surprise? Logically, Djamal Ziane wouldn’t mind. “Of course we want to try to create the miracle somehow,” says the locomotive striker. The team will “definitely not hide”. “We will try to play disciplined and have to catch a very good day,” says the veteran, who is looking forward to an “exciting atmosphere”.
It is quite possible that coach Seitz does without the double top Ziane and Stefan Maderer and instead the midfield with new signing Eren Öztürk Spice up. The 21-year-old was signed by Karlsruher SC last week and was allowed to sniff against Meuselwitz. He demonstrated what he can do last season with the regional league team VSG Altglienicke – he was loaned by the Berliners. Now he wants to show himself at Lok. Maybe he can shine in the trophy right away.
SST
