Berlin (AP) – Berlin, Berlin, we’re going to Berlin! In the round of 16 of the DFB Cup, the traditional chanting of the fans will only be sparsely heard due to the low number of spectators due to the corona.
Both Hamburg’s second division teams are aiming for a place in the last eight today, and VfL Bochum and FSV Mainz 05 are again in the only Bundesliga duel.
1. FC Cologne – Hamburger SV (6.30 p.m. / Sky and Sport1):For Steffen Baumgart, Berlin is a place of longing. “It’s a dream of mine to be in the final there,” admitted the FC coach before the duel with HSV. The great opportunity for Cologne to reach the quarter-finals of the cup for the first time since the 2009/10 season should be used. In contrast, Hamburg were still in the semi-finals in 2019. To repeat that, however, a better performance is needed in Cologne than in the second division restart on Friday in Dresden (1: 1). It is the 108th competitive match for the two founding members of the Bundesliga.
TSV 1860 Munich – Karlsruher SC (6.30 p.m. / Sky):The big Bavarians are already out – that spurs on the “lions” in the DFB Cup even more. As the last Bavarian representative, the third division club wants to eliminate the third second division club after Darmstadt 98 and FC Schalke 04. However, 1860 coach Michael Köllner declared the second division club Karlsruher SC to be the “clear favourites”. His players would have to “grow beyond themselves and deliver a strong game”. For both clubs, it’s not just about sporting glory, but also about a lot of money. Around one million euros waving as a bonus for reaching the quarterfinals.
FC St. Pauli – Borussia Dortmund (8.45 p.m. / ARD and Sky):Cup defender Dortmund is the favorite in the game. However, the leaders of the second division have demonstrated strength at home with eight wins and one draw so far this season and at least count on outsider chances. At the Kiezclub, as always in the DFB Cup, substitute Dennis Smarsch is in goal, playmaker Danel-Kofi Kyereh is missing because of his participation in the Africa Cup of Nations with Ghana. Emre Can is out at BVB due to an adductor injury, and Thomas Meunier is questionable.
VfL Bochum – FSV Mainz 05 (8.45 p.m. / Sky):Second duel within three days: after Mainz’s 1-0 win over VfL in the Bundesliga, Bochum now have a chance to take revenge in the cup. His team had to “pack it up a notch,” said VfL coach Thomas Reis. The cup is very important to both the newly promoted Bundesliga team and the team from Mainz coached by Bo Svensson. “People always say that it’s the shortest way to achieve something really great,” said Reis.
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