Double packer Bilbija
Europa League participants SC Freiburg experienced a nasty surprise in the second round of the DFB Cup and suffered a clear defeat against SC Paderborn. The Baden team lost 1:3 (0:2) against the second division team after a largely disappointing performance on Wednesday. Filip Bilbija in the 4th and 56th minutes and Florent Muslija with a wonderful free kick (33rd) scored for the Paderborn team, who reached the round of 16 for the third time in four years. For Freiburg, finalist in 2022 and semi-finalist in the cup last season, Maximilian Eggestein (69th) could only shorten the score.
In front of 31,500 spectators, Bilbija took the first opportunity for the guests, who were given a surprising amount of space in the penalty area. However, the 23-year-old was a bit lucky when he scored, the ball bounced off the inside post and into the goal. Freiburg fell behind in just the sixth competitive game in a row – they were only able to win two of them and lost four.
Bundesliga duel in the cup: BVB prevails against Hoffenheim
Thanks to Marco Reus, Borussia Dortmund are in the round of 16 – and have gained further courage for the Bundesliga summit against FC Bayern. Three days before the duel between the two German industry leaders at the same venue, coach Edin Terzic’s team beat TSG Hoffenheim 1-0 (1-0) after a goal from the 34-year-old veteran in the 43rd minute. In front of 81,365 spectators, BVB put on an appealing performance over long stretches on Wednesday and moved into the round of the last 16 teams for the 13th time in a row.
Third and fourth division teams in the semi-finals: surprises of the DFB Cup
For the guests, however, the impressive series of successes in away stadiums ended after six wins in six competitive games. Ozan Kabak (90+4) also saw a yellow-red card in stoppage time. Given the ongoing rush for deadlines, Terzic rested various regulars such as Mats Hummels, Donyell Malen and Niclas Füllkrug and made five changes compared to the hard-fought game in Frankfurt (3:3). “If we have such a big squad with so many good guys, it would be negligent to neglect the freshness factor,” commented the BVB coach on “Sky” before the game.
Late goals ensure the decision: Bayer 04 advances in Sandhausen
Xabi Alonso’s experiment of doing without numerous regular players in the starting eleven almost failed. It was only thanks to late goals that Bundesliga table leaders Bayer Leverkusen beat bravely fighting outsiders SV Sandhausen 5-2 (1-0) and reached the round of 16 on Wednesday evening.
Reck to Votava: The record players in the DFB Cup
On the way to their 13th competitive win in the 14th game, the football professionals from Leverkusen, who performed so furiously in the league, had a lot of trouble. Exequiel Palacios took the lead with a penalty (21′). But after the break, Christoph Ehlich equalized (50th). In a hectic sequence, Jonathan Tah put the visitors back in front before Yassin Ben Balla equalized again. Adam Hlozek (85th) and Amine Adli (88th/90th + 2) made the decision.
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