Next low blow for Wagner’s FCA
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Overshadowed by the death of a fan, RB Leipzig easily reached the round of 16 in the DFB Cup. As with the 6-0 win in Augsburg, the two-time cup winners were extremely efficient at Energie Cottbus and won 4-1 (3-0) against the only third division team still in the competition.
However, the victory was pushed into the background in view of the tragic incident involving a Leipzig supporter. “During entry into the stadium, a medical emergency tragically occurred without any outside influence. We have just received the sad information that the affected RB Leipzig fan died in the hospital,” the club announced during the game. The RB fans then stopped their support. The Cottbus home block also remained quiet for a good quarter of an hour. Before the second half, the entire stadium observed a minute’s silence.
Meanwhile, the game was quickly decided. In front of 19,700 spectators in the sold-out LEAG Energie Stadium – including 2,000 Leipzig supporters – Johan Bakayoko (13th minute) gave the Saxons an early lead. The in-form Christoph Baumgartner (28th/37th) increased with a double strike. Ezekiel Banzuzi scored in the second half (59′). The Cottbus goal by substitute striker Erik Engelhardt no longer had any meaning (86th).
Borussia Mönchengladbach can still win
The sportingly struggling Borussia Mönchengladbach have made a much-needed statement in the DFB Cup. With a 3-1 (1-0) win against second division team Karlsruher SC, the bottom of the Bundesliga table moved into the cup round of 16. Gladbach’s coach Eugen Polanski was able to breathe a sigh of relief after his first win in the sixth game.
The Gladbachers got off to the perfect start: Just a few moments after kick-off, Shuto Machino scored to make it 1-0 (3rd). And even after the break there was a quick goal for the hosts, this time by Nico Elvedi (51′). Fabian Schleusener (59th) managed to score the next goal, but Haris Tabakovic put the final point in the 89th minute with the goal to make the final score.
Augsburg knockout in the DFB Cup: next low blow for Wagner
Coach Sandro Wagner suffered another blow with FC Augsburg in the DFB Cup against VfL Bochum. The 0:6 debacle against RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga was followed just three days later by a 0:1 (0:1) against the second division team Cup disaster instead of the round of 16!
Winger Gerrit Holtmann scored in the 39th minute for Bochum, who are thriving under their new coach Uwe Rösler. Wagner provides the contrast program. The 37-year-old has reached a low point after four months as Bundesliga coach. The pressure is increasing – and Borussia Dortmund is coming to the Augsburg Arena on Friday evening (8:30 p.m./Sky).
Wagner responded to Leipzig’s attrition with six changes to the starting line-up – including in goal. Nediljko Labrovic was allowed to start for Finn Dahmen, who remains number one and will be in goal again against Dortmund, as the Augsburg head coach announced in advance. But the rotation was unsuccessful.